I'm going to ask you a question in a moment that I hope you'll both think carefully about.
However, before I do that I want to share a moment from my life with you:
To the left is a quick snap I took this weekend. That's my son, aged 21 months. We were at the superb Pacific Science Center in Seattle. What's he doing tugging on that rope, you ask?
He's lifting 250 kilos.
To be sure, he is participating in a demonstration of leverage. He's also getting a little help from mom to boot (hey, he's only 21 months).
Now, if I asked you if a toddler could lift 250 kilos would you say no? Would you say it's not possible?
Maybe.
I'll tell you something though, my son wasn't daunted in the least. He grabbed that rope with the utmost confidence.
Why? Because he doesn't know he "can't" do it!
You might say he is completely ignorant of his limitations. Hmm.
Let's rewind the tape a bit:
It's me at center stage now, about to make a massive transition from corporate manager to professional photographer. Can you guess what people told me?
- Art is great, but you'll never make a living at it
- It's really great that you are exploring that side of your personality, but what will you do for income?
- There's just too much competition in that kind of marketplace, the stars would have to align for it to work out for you
- Sure, people make a good career out of it but it's like professional sports, it's a one in a million shot
- Everyone can buy a cheap digital camera now, no one will pay well for photos
You know what? I was just too plain ignorant, to dumb to heed the warnings, and apparently too stubborn to give up.
So I went and made a success of myself.
Fast forward a bit, I'm at it again:
This time I decide to branch out, perhaps even specialize in architectural photography via real estate. It's something I enjoy, the market is clearly there (in fact it's ripe for it). Any guesses as to what I heard?
- It'll never work
- Real estate agents don't understand the impact photography has on their listings, they'll never pay for it
- Sure, they'll pay for it...but only the absolute minimum price...usually they hire those 'no experience necessary' virtual tour people.
- When have you heard of a real estate agent that would actually expend funds to make a sale? They don't come from a business background, they come from sales
- You won't even make the cost of your gas back (yes, someone really said this).
Once again I remained completely ignorant that it was impossible for me to succeed, and succeed I did.
Here's that question I promised:
Could it be that we impose the toughest barriers we may ever encounter, on ourselves? That we do so by equating difficult with impossible? That we do so by believing people who tell us; "It cannot be done, don't try". That we do so because we fear if we try we may fail?
I want you to think for a moment about all the people you've read about, heard about, met - all those people who overcame amazing odds to achieve what they dreamed of.
What's different about you and them? I have a surprise for you.
Practically nothing.
Maybe the only real difference at all is they were just too dang ignorant to realize it can't be done. :)
So what when have you done the impossible? What will you do next? Shout it out and go get it!
Cheers, -B
Real-Estate-Photography
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