Last week I had the pleasure of talking with an author, an editor, an actress, a musician, and a model. So much talent, and it was all in one person. A lady with big talent and an even bigger heart!
I captured an afternoon on the beach with her (alongside Emily DeKoster Photography) and though the photos are from several weeks ago, I had no idea then the dynamic person I was shivering on a beach shore next to! Now, sitting across from each other in an Olive Garden in the middle of a dinner rush, she graciously allowed me to pick her brain on everything from how she started all these ventures to how she found her success!
Sarah has written three books, countless blog posts, and gives private music lessons in her spare time. She’s 23 and accomplished more than many do in a lifetime. My only question as I stared, slightly dumbfounded at her across a table full of salad and breadsticks, was... how?! She gave me a few tips and tricks and with her permission, I’m sharing them with you!
1 - Be honest with yourself about why you’re doing what you’re doing. What is your why? Like super honest. Like, painfully honest. I attached an article Sarah gave me! It was super helpful in pinpointing your goals, reasoning, and how to get exactly where you’d like to be.
2 - Work for a set amount of time, regularly (say from 9pm-12am Monday-Friday). Find a schedule that works for your health and life, and keep it! (I’m working on this one… I’ll keep you guys updated!) A way Sarah explained it to help me understand the reality of this one was using blogging as an example. So, say as a blogger, your immediate goal is to up traffic and engagement. You can’t only write and edit blogs for all those hours! Well you could, but that's a fast and unorganized way to make yourself nuts and ultimately be less productive with your time. Instead, plan for an hour for writing, an hour to engage with others on various social media platforms, and an hour to research upcoming content. However you want to break things down, go for it! Experiment, find what works for you, but ultimately be organized with your time and stick to it!
3 - Don’t just learn, learn smart! Sarah pointed out that if I spend an hour getting ready (let’s be real, it’s more time then that), an hour driving (let’s be real, it’s less time then that!) that is at least two hours a day I could be using to listen to podcasts or other education on topics that I want to know more about! Whether it be business, photography, blogging, whatever, maximizing time not only increases productivity, it’s a way to keep your goal in the forefront of your mind as much as possible. As fabulous as it is to jam to the Greatest Showman soundtrack, the more time I keep my ultimate “why” in the forefront of my mind, the more my actions will reflect, and be in in service of achieving that goal!
I hope this insight has been as helpful to you as it’s been to me!
Now, a piece of unsolicited for advice from me? Find people like Sarah! Actually, if what you read about her work struck you? Find her! (info is here!) You never, ever know who’s willing to grab some coffee and chat until you've asked! Even if it’s nerve-wracking, uncomfortable, down-right terrifying to reach out to a relative stranger and ask them to coffee? All my love and support, but sorry! Tough! It’s beneficial even if the person isn’t in your industry, whatever excuse you have etc., because everyone has different experiences that are worth learning from! And as for the increasing-anxiety aspect well, I definitely can sympathize, however, I’ve always believed it’s important to pay close attention to the things that terrify you. Unless it's clowns. Then absolutely, 100%, you have my support to disregard... and just... not.
Much love,
Mary
#maryirenestorytelling #blogging #bloggerlife #photography #writing #editing #collaborations #networking #olivegarden #marymondays
Like what you're seeing?
Leave a comment below or find me on IG or FB!
Comments