Love what you do
Written by Mike Cheliak on May 24, 2009 – 8:46 am -Who we are is who we make ourselves to be. That is not so much proverbial as it is factual. As adults, we all have the ability to choose much of what “makes us” who we are. From the person we have bonded with as our partner (or the choice to remain unattached) and the choice to have children or not to the friends we have, the food we eat, the place we live and the work we do or choose not to do.
Some circumstances may be out of our immediate control but most of our “environmental” influences can all be controlled to some degree. The reason for pointing this out for my purposes is more about choosing what we do to live and prosper…in other words; Your job, career, vocation or calling.
I have had many jobs in my 46 years. I worked as a kid on the farm for many years and then got into the Hospitality business where I spent the better part of 10 years working in the kitchen, bar, service and management. I then moved into the Government where I worked in the Corrections field for 13 years.
When I left the Government on a very good buy out package, I vowed that I would NEVER have another job again. Not to say that I didn’t need to do something to make money and not to suggest that I would start robbing banks or anything! I just needed to do something that I was passionate about, something that I was good at and something that would provide a viable source of income.
At the time I came to my realization about photography, I was already a multi-decade computer geek and had experience and talent in digital imaging and web design. Digital photography was just starting to get some respect in the professional photography field and I was a pretty good photographer as well.
The match was obvious. I could take something I really liked and was good at and make it my business. I took courses, certifications, small business development programs and anything else available. I traded in my film cameras and bought my first digital (Nikon D1X). Yep it cost me a fortune and I couldn’t afford two of them at the time so I went with one. I bought backdrops, studio lights, updated my lenses and outfitted myself to be ready and available anywhere. Over the years my cameras and equipment have changed and multiplied but I still remain a “mobile photographer”.
As my marketing coach told me, don’t narrow your horizons but rather focus on the part of the business that you are best at. Sports and sports photography was my true passion and there were so few that could provide the type of service I could offer that I started quickly becoming a major player in the League photography business.
I grew and continue to grow year after year. My business is self sustaining in that I don’t actively seek new contracts but rather invest time in managing the ones I have and allowing for some growth if it presents itself. To this day, 90% of what I do is sports related. Dance, soccer, hockey, baseball, football, basketball, Triathlon and running events and the list goes on. I pride myself at being the only photographer behind the lens. While I do use some help taking still shots at live events once in a while, I am the only primary that shoots for my business and it will ALWAYS be that way.
I have NEVER considered my business a job. It is more an extension of who I am. Most small business owners likely feel the same way and have their own story of the how their business has become more of a life journey than a job. While owning and operating a business is not for everyone, it is an invigorating experience and really changes the person you are. It becomes a creation that needs nurturing and attention to flourish. This means you really have to LOVE what you do in order to go it on your own. Failure to do so will show through in the final product.
We all need to be responsible and provide a means of living to ourselves and the others we are part of. That is part of living. What we don’t need to do is to subject ourselves to something we hate in order to do it. While there are “jobs” that we will do throughout our lives, you owe it to yourself to find something you enjoy for the long haul. Whether it is starting your own business or just finding a career that you really love, DO IT!
Some people find that work is just an inconvenience of life that pays the bills and for many, that is enough. It takes real motivation and dedication to want change, to apply yourself, to educate yourself and to work hard to achieve your ideal. If was really easy, everyone would do it.
I took a leap of faith in myself and I can honestly say that I am a happier, healthier, more loving, caring and patient man than I was 9 years ago. I love my family, my friends my life and of course my business. It is a part of me and I am the better man for it.
In happiness and health as always…
Mike C.
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