Last night after work I hopped in my car and drove over the mountains to my hometown of Wenatchee, WA. Last spring I bought a pair of skis and I need to get bindings mounted to them. This may seem like an insignificant thing and something that is not worth blogging about but it caused me to stop and reflect on things. Today is November 9th 2019 and in less than two months we will be another new year and a new decade. This is crazy to think about when you slow down and think about things for a moment.
I graduated from college a decade ago and graduate school almost seven years ago. Over these past several years I have experienced a lot of things that have shaped my outlook on how I see the world, the work that I am involved with and the work that I hope to be involved with in the future. It has also been helpful to get back to my hometown for a few days and escape the noise of Seattle. The drive over the mountains last night and being home today has given me a chance to think about the things I want to accomplish going forward.
While getting coffee this morning I spent a few minutes writing in my notebook and reflecting on my goals and the work that I hope to accomplish:
I am a photographer, filmmaker and content creator who strives to create work for brands that believe in telling powerful and engaging stories. I believe that photos and videos paired with the right strategy have the ability to strengthen brand messaging on all platforms and turn followers into diehard fans while shaping the brand ethos, voice and culture.
Over the past decade I have worn a number of different hats. I got a masters degree in advertising and art direction but I am now working as a video editor. Video has always been a passion of mine but in the past year and a half I have become increasing interested in my ability to create powerful still images that have the ability to stand on their own without the use music, fancy editing or technology to give it merit. In many ways I am going back to my creative and art direction roots.
I have no intention on giving up my video capabilities. This will always be something that I am involved with in some capacity. However, I believe that I am capable of doing so much more than just being an editor that is assembling a story. I believe that I am capable of telling more enriching and engaging stories that have the ability to be broader than just a video or a photo project.
There is less than two months left in 2019. The start of a new decade is almost here. Now is the time to think about our goals for the future and start to devise a plan to accomplish them. Big goals take time and require space to think about. Now is the time to think about our plan for the new year and new decade. If you wait until New Year’s Eve you are setting yourself up for failure.
The future is yours if you want it. The question is do you have the plan that will help turn your dreams into a reality? Now is the time to put together your plan of attack.
-RJL