It’s been a long time since I’ve posted something personal. I love blogging and sharing thoughts. And when I do, most of them will probably be on one of the following topics: my family, business, photography, pretty things or pretty places. So if you’re a bride, I suggest you skip this one and jump over to my recent weddings, but if you’re a business owner, start out photographer or have any interest in my random thoughts, enjoy the post :)

Last week I went to the gym. I’m not a gym junkie and I have to confess I’ve never liked exercise, but hopefully this feeling will change soon. :) I recently become a member of a group of four girls who gets together twice a week with a personal trainer who will try and get us fit and into shape.

The simple fact of getting up so early in the morning is quite a challenge, especially for something that I’ve never really had a passion for. The other challenge I faced that morning was to push my body outside my comfort zone, to a place unknown. And while I was trying to focus on why I was there, I picked up two thoughts that might be valuable to many people starting a business.

1. Paying adds value.

It was much easier to get out of bed, because I knew I was paying for the personal training class, whether I showed up or not. Not showing up would mean that I’m wasting something that I attach value to.

When you pay for something you value it much more than when it is free. You exchange something (money or time) for the service (product or experience). Because of this exchange, you probably wouldn’t take it for granted. You wouldn’t waste it and you wouldn’t want to give it up.

Make sure you find a way to ensure your clients see the value in the transaction. If a client is not aware of the value you add, it has no value to them.

2. Small goals keep you on track & motivated.

One of the exercises Natasha (our personal trainer) gave us that morning was to balance on a gym ball. Now as I’ve mentioned, I’m not the most active person and here I was faced with an unknown challenge. Instead of telling myself I couldn’t do it, I focused and I tried it out. I failed the first few times and then I got it right. Not perfect but almost there.

After a few minutes I got it! It became easier! And no, I didn’t become an acrobat in a matter of minutes, but I got the basics of balancing on a ball. For an acrobat that would be a simple thing to do, but for me it was a challenge.

In your business and in life, you’ll face many challenges, and just because the person next door gets it right doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. Take up the challenge and practice as much as possible.

I love this quote: “Comparison is the start of unhappiness.” And it’s so true. Make sure that you never compare yourself. And within the big picture, make sure that you set small goals for yourself.

Achieving small goals within the big picture will help you to stay on track and make your progress more real. Tick off something every day. I’ve started dividing my work into smaller sections and it helps me to be motivated.

Instead of making a list, for example: ‘finish Eric and Julie’s wedding’, I now make smaller notes for example:

Download Eric and Julie’s wedding
Select the best images from Eric and Julie’s wedding
Edit Eric and Julie’s images
Make Eric and Julie’s CD

So every day I’m getting closer to finishing Eric and Julie’s wedding, because I can see the progress. Seeing the progress I make, motivates me to make more progress.

P.S. Next week, I’m going to stay on that gym ball for 1 min longer! :)