![laracasey:
Someone asked me in a workshop last week, “What is the biggest mistake you see new businesses make?” My answer? Getting too big too fast. I know first hand, and I will be the first to admit my early business mistakes. When Southern Weddings first launched, we had no idea we would sell out. When I started Lara Casey Reps, I had no clue I’d have 30 regular clients in the first month. Sounds great, right? It was horrible. For a period of about two months we just couldn’t handle the influx. It bit us in the rear and our quality suffered. My life suffered. I took on too much, got spread too thin, my inbox housed messages that were a month old and people just didn’t get my best. Luckily, we bounced back in a big way, but not without struggle and massive change. I had to overhaul everything and it took months to correct some mistakes that took seconds to make. I had to learn how to say no. Yes, there are still days I get insanely overwhelmed, forgetful, and I just mess up. Life happens and imbalance can rule me, too. When things get crazy, I have to prioritize and sometimes things have to wait. It happens. I get it. Disclaimer over.
But, if you are consistently running up against the brick wall of “overwhelmed”, “I can’t” and “I don’t have time,” start listening. It’s time to put the breaks on.
If you cannot handle new business, don’t take it. More business isn’t better in the long run. Quality is. Be responsible and over-deliver. The number one complaint I hear from photographers is that they can’t handle the post-processing and client relations after the wedding in the way they want to. Not surprisingly, not having communication or not getting images in a timely manner is also the number one complaint I hear from brides. Infrastructure and process are some of the first things I ask new clients about.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to The Epidemic of Overwhelmed, but the short version of my best advice is:
Kill the denial. Admit you have a problem. This is the hardest part. If you can get past step one, you’re golden. Then, ask for help from trusted professionals. Seek long-term wisdom, not a quick fix. Make that investment. Finally, understand that change takes time but can start right this second with very tiny steps. Like the flywheel concept from Good to Great, little pushes eventually multiply and build momentum so strong that the wheel turns on its own. Start now. Make the first little push. If you are committed, it’s not too late. “Failure” is what makes us grow. I used to deny it, now I move towards it. I know now that - even though making mistakes and admitting our faults is tough - being stuck is much much worse. “Fail, fail again, fail better” - Samuel Beckett.
Face reality, actively work to change it and finally… celebrate your successes. You won’t get anywhere beating yourself up. Take time to celebrate what you are doing right and focus on the good you have to offer people with your art, skill and heart. That is worth fighting very hard for.
P.S. The photograph above is me, with 20 brides, at our very first cover shoot. The issue never made stands [the story], but this image reminds me that I have a choice every day to be remarkable and to do the right thing. “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” - Galatians 6:10](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l97lglvt9A1qca1fro1_500.jpg)
Someone asked me in a workshop last week, “What is the biggest mistake you see new businesses make?” My answer? Getting too big too fast. I know first hand, and I will be the first to admit my early business mistakes. When Southern Weddings first launched, we had no idea we would sell out. When I started Lara Casey Reps, I had no clue I’d have 30 regular clients in the first month. Sounds great, right? It was horrible. For a period of about two months we just couldn’t handle the influx. It bit us in the rear and our quality suffered. My life suffered. I took on too much, got spread too thin, my inbox housed messages that were a month old and people just didn’t get my best. Luckily, we bounced back in a big way, but not without struggle and massive change. I had to overhaul everything and it took months to correct some mistakes that took seconds to make. I had to learn how to say no. Yes, there are still days I get insanely overwhelmed, forgetful, and I just mess up. Life happens and imbalance can rule me, too. When things get crazy, I have to prioritize and sometimes things have to wait. It happens. I get it. Disclaimer over.
But, if you are consistently running up against the brick wall of “overwhelmed”, “I can’t” and “I don’t have time,” start listening. It’s time to put the breaks on.
If you cannot handle new business, don’t take it. More business isn’t better in the long run. Quality is. Be responsible and over-deliver. The number one complaint I hear from photographers is that they can’t handle the post-processing and client relations after the wedding in the way they want to. Not surprisingly, not having communication or not getting images in a timely manner is also the number one complaint I hear from brides. Infrastructure and process are some of the first things I ask new clients about.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to The Epidemic of Overwhelmed, but the short version of my best advice is:
Kill the denial. Admit you have a problem. This is the hardest part. If you can get past step one, you’re golden. Then, ask for help from trusted professionals. Seek long-term wisdom, not a quick fix. Make that investment. Finally, understand that change takes time but can start right this second with very tiny steps. Like the flywheel concept from Good to Great, little pushes eventually multiply and build momentum so strong that the wheel turns on its own. Start now. Make the first little push. If you are committed, it’s not too late. “Failure” is what makes us grow. I used to deny it, now I move towards it. I know now that - even though making mistakes and admitting our faults is tough - being stuck is much much worse. “Fail, fail again, fail better” - Samuel Beckett.
Face reality, actively work to change it and finally… celebrate your successes. You won’t get anywhere beating yourself up. Take time to celebrate what you are doing right and focus on the good you have to offer people with your art, skill and heart. That is worth fighting very hard for.
P.S. The photograph above is me, with 20 brides, at our very first cover shoot. The issue never made stands [the story], but this image reminds me that I have a choice every day to be remarkable and to do the right thing. “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” - Galatians 6:10
