This last year has presented so many changes, opportunities, and challenges.  In 2012, I’ve become a small business owner and a home owner.  Among other things, these are two huge changes in my life that have required of my time, wallet, and whole-hearted attention.  As this year comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on some of the lessons I’m taking with me from 2012.

1) There are more important things than money.  Yes, bills need to be paid, but there is a point in everyone’s life when I believe their happiness should be the priority.  If you do what you love, the money will come.  It was absolutely TERRIFYING to become a “self-UNemployed” Austin Texas Photographer, but the reward is fabulous!

2)  Help others when you can.  Goodwill and positive energy are both contagious!  If you’re willing to step up and help others, you’re building up your own karma!  Also, the person/people that see you help others are more likely to pay it forward.

3) Get terrified and step outside of your comfort zone.  Buying a house? Scary.  Quitting a job? Scary.  Photographing another Photographer?  Scary.  None of these were easy decisions for me and I second guessed every one of them, but I’ve grown from them.  Honestly, now that I know what I do, I would like to go back in time and tell myself to do them sooner.

4) The only bad question is the one that goes unasked.  This year, I’ve really taken to heart that the worst answer someone can give me is “no” – which really isn’t that bad.  If no one knows that you need something or are looking for something, the answer will always be “no.”  I also believe that people enjoy being useful and helping when they can.  Case in point: I had friends come over to paint my new house and my dad (who they’ve never met) greeted them at the door and explained that they had the wrong house.  Seeing that he, too, needed help painting, they offered to stay and help him with his new house!  How awesome is that?!  (Yes, I did come out to greet them and explained my dad’s joking habits)

5) Keep learning!  I never want to get stuck doing the same thing, so I like to surround myself with other creative minds!  I’ve joined a photographer’s group and they act very much like co-workers for me: we’re able to share ideas and past successes (and failures) so that we can all learn from each other.  Visiting art galleries and museums allows me to see things in different ways: the way light falls in paintings, the colors put together in floral bouquets and blown glass, and the way artists sculpt the human figure.  I’ve also started to read more business books/articles as part of my routine.

Yes, I’ve known most of these principles since I was little, but they’ve been reinforced so many times this year.  As 2013 begins, I hope I continue to think on these lessons and put them to use for my photography business and in my personal life.  I’d love to hear what lessons you’ll be taking from 2012 – please feel free to share them in the comment box below!

Happy New Year to All!

– Mylah Renae

www.Eureka-Photography.com