So here’s the deal – I can’t figure out which came first (age old chicken verse egg debate): self-doubt that leads to comparison, or does comparison lead to self-doubt? Maybe they flip flop every so often? I have mentioned in a few previous posts, my trip to Salt Lake City and the Click Away Photography Conference was last week. My 3 intense days in sessions at CA have forever changed my life and the way I proceed forward in living my creative life out loud.
The funny thing is…there wasn’t a lot that I hadn’t heard before – but I don’t think I really HEARD it until now. It took this conference, in rooms with up to 1200 women hearing the same words, for any of it to have such a meaningful impact.
Here is just a small glimpse from some of the sessions I took and the presenters who facilitated them:
“The Simple Joy of Photography” (Ashley Ann Campbell): Don’t sing someone else’s song & let yours go to the grave with you. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, “Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them!”)
“Follow Your Heart: Becoming a Confident, Creative and Authentic Photographer” (Amy Lockheart): Give yourself the freedom to learn and explore. It’s actually not about you, it’s about something much bigger. (Thoreau, “You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”)
Now – that is only 2 of the session I took…my schedule had a total of 13 small group, discussions or photo walks/outings on it.
In the midst of every session was the running theme of stop comparing yourself to someone else. They are not you. They don’t do things like you do; and that’s just fine. They don’t see things like you do; and that’s just fine. They don’t give the world what you do; and that’s more than fine.
I was made just as I was supposed to be made. By the Master Maker, in the way He wanted me to be…like no one else. So, why is it that I continue to fall into the trap of looking at what others bring to the table and how much better it might be?
I don’t get it.
So…that will be something that I strive to work on over the coming months. I will do what I feel I need to do to educate myself, grow, learn, be better and do better. Should be an interesting ride. I just don’t want self-doubt to lead me any more…enough is enough.
How about you…what is your ride looking like these days? Make sure I’s your own, and not someone else’s!