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I'm a mom of a tweenager and one of the popular things they like to play is 2 truths and a lie where you are supposed to state 3 random facts about yourself and the other person is supposed to figure out which statements are true and which is the lie. And I'll be honest...I am terrible at. I am such a truth teller that it is hard for me to even figure out what a good believable lie would be. lol!! When put on the spot I can't seem to think of anything - mind goes completely blank. But it does get me thinking. So I figured I would put it to good use here. I've had some time to think about it and move beyond my blank stare, so here we go.
** You don't need the best equipment to start out. Truth! Do NOT let the fact that you don't have the latest and greatest equipment stop you from doing something you want to do. You are just making excuses. You don't need to invest a ton of money upfront to start a podcast or start a photography business, or whatever else you can insert into that scenario. You just have to know how to use what you have. To this day, I am still using an entry level grade camera and I am selling macro nature shots like the best of them. I've had both amateurs and long time professionals ask me what camera body and lens I am using to get the quality of photos I manage to take. They are stunned when I tell them what I shoot with. I learned this out of pure ignorance and accident. I didn't buy a camera with the intention of selling professional grade nature photos. I just enjoyed taking shots of interesting finds out in nature and needed a better camera than my phone. So I got the starter bundle Nikon set you can get at Best Buy or Costco. And when I found out I really loved macro photography, I bought a special macro lens that was basically the bottom of the barrel just because the cost of a really good lens was ridiculous. Then I just did what I loved. Found beauty right where I was. And maybe it was just the passion and patience I put into it - I was completely surprised when people started asking if they could purchase prints. I didn't even know how to do that. But I figured it out as I went. And to this day - I am still using Costco for all my printing needs, not a specialized expensive print service. Now - I am not opposed to upgrading, or using a specialized printing company to get prints from. But you cross that bridge when you get there. When it makes sense. A good litmus test is if your current equipment is holding you back from reaching a higher level of success. You will know when you outgrow your current snail shell and need to move up. If you find yourself grumbling that your current equipment doesn't have the extra capabilities you now need due to your growth and development - then by all means level up! ** You don't need to have the right certifications and qualifications (where applicable) when applying for a job or when starting up a business. Another Truth! Well - this is kind of a trick question...because in some cases you do (realtor, lawyer, doctor...etc.). But you would be very surprised how much this lie can hold us back and handicap us from moving forward!! A very wise mentor once told me - even if you don't meet all the qualifications for a job, if you think you would love it and be really great at it - apply anyway! And use your life experiences and passion to fill in the gaps. What do you have to lose? When starting up a business you may be faced with thoughts like...I'm not a trained in this or that. I'm not certified in (insert subject matter). And you start asking yourself..."Who am I to be doing this? Who do I think I am?". I'll tell you why - because it's your calling! If you have something lodged into your heart and brain that you can't stop thinking about - you don't need to have a degree is such and such to go ahead and do it in most cases! I am not a trained artist! I did NOT go to art school! I am currently selling art faster than I can make it right now and have other artists (that have an art degree in some cases) ask me to teach them certain techniques! Insert blown mind emoji here. Bottom line - if is not a required certification to have by law - then don't use the excuse that you are not good enough. And once you start venturing into whatever - by all means, learn everything you can about it. I am constantly watching tutorials on art techniques and then I practice my head off over and over and make a LOT of mistakes trying to master it. I take workshops here and there when it makes sense. And one day I may get a certification in something because I am not opposed to certifications and stuff like that, I am merely stating do not use it as an excuse to NOT do something you know you are wired to do. ** You don't need anyone else when starting up a business or working towards a promotion. Lie! Big whopping lie. I used to have an old school mentality that networking was cheating and that I had to earn everything purely by hard work, dedication and grit. Just like dad used to do it. OMG! Let me tell you how much that lie stunted my growth and development!! Years!! I'm just now realizing the power of networking, mentoring, investing in a professional coach when needed, and leaning and learning on other women that have been there and done that, or are currently in the same trenches as you. But you already know that. That is why you are even reading this blog, distributed by a women's networking group. And a great one at that. Attend networking events and then figure out which ones really make the most sense for what you are trying to achieve. Because networking can become a full time job if you let it. So be choosy and wise with your time management and invest in the networking groups that will help you grow and develop as well as allow you to mentor and coach others. It's an investment well worth making and totally key towards success and growth. Well - there you have it. My grown up version of a favorite kid game. Thank you for reading and thanks to Evolve for getting us engaged in activities like this.
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