Walking through Chapters the other day, a book caught my eye with the title “10-10-10”. It was about setting goals for the next 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years. I thought it was an interesting concept, and I started thinking about how I might apply the same thinking to my own goals.
Instead of using the scale proposed by Suzy Welsh, I decided to use 10 days, 10 weeks and 10 months as my scale.
10 Days
Short-term, immediate goals.
– In the next 10 days, I will create a ‘shopping list’ of photos I want to take. This can include something I have not done before (see next point), or to copy an existing photo from another photographer. From this list, I will make plans to do the shoot, rent equipment or a studio if needed.
– I have already missed my second target I had set for myself this week. I wanted to take some star photos during the Perseids meteor show. However, Wednesday night I got caught up in 3 different work issues after 10pm. By the time all three issues were resolved, I was went to bed exhausted.
my work load has been high and I am exhausted. I cannot stay up – I was falling asleep in my chair at work this afternoon. I will have to do this next year (the moon phase might be better too).
10 Weeks
In this interval (out to Oct 23rd), start some longer term projects.
– Join the RA Center Photoclub. I have been a member of the Nortel Photo club for a few years, but with the break up of Nortel, very few members remain. I need to find another outlet, which the RA Photo club will fill. The RA Center Photoclub has 300 members, and have special groups on topics that interest me (protrait, street).
– Start a portfolio. I have an on-line portfolio, but I’m not totally satisfied with all of the pictures. Very close attention finds minor flaws, such as the focus being off by an inch. I have heard advice that a printed portfolio is more important to potential clients. I will need to learn more about inkjet printing. I have a good photo printer (Canon iP4300) that supports 8×10. I should be planning my ‘shopping list’ such that I can fill out my portfolio.
– Contact a pro and pimp myself out. This will be the hardest to do. I should contact local photographers and ask if they need a part-time assistant. This would be the start of a side income for supporting my hobby. I have some leads from co-workers, and I’ve been collecting some business cards. I would only be available on evenings and weekends.
10 months
– Complete my portfolio. It must have enough materials available so that it can be tailored to my different needs.
– Set up a business, such that I can put my equipment under professional insurance, etc. I’ve already had the camera stolen once (St. Petersburg, Russia), which was covered by my home owners insurance. I don’t want to have to make any more claims against my home insurance, as that might cause them to drop me as a client (I’ve heard of this happening to others). Plus, if I am doing any professional work, my equipment would not be covered by home insurance anyways. It might provide some protection (law suits) and tax benefits. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time; the hardest part so far is thinking of a good name.
Walking through Chapters the other day, a book caught my eye with the title “10-10-10“. It was about setting goals for the next 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years. I thought it was an interesting concept, and I started thinking about how I might apply the same thinking to my own goals.
Instead of using the scale proposed by Suzy Welsh, I decided to use 10 days, 10 weeks and 10 months as my scale.
10 Days
Short-term, immediate goals.
- In the next 10 days, I will create a ‘shopping list’ of photos I want to take. This can include something I have not done before (see next point), or to copy an existing photo from another photographer. From this list, I will make plans to do the shoot, rent equipment or a studio if needed.
- I have already missed my second target I had set for myself this week. I wanted to take some star photos during the Perseids meteor show. However, Wednesday night I got caught up in 3 different work issues after 10pm. By the time all three issues were resolved, I was went to bed exhausted.
10 Weeks
In this interval (out to Oct 23rd), start some longer term projects.
- Join the RA Center Photoclub. I have been a member of the Nortel Photo club for a few years, but with the break up of Nortel, very few members remain. I need to find another outlet, which the RA Photo club will fill. The RA Center Photoclub has 300 members, and have special groups on topics that interest me (portrait, street).
- Start a portfolio. I have an on-line portfolio, but I’m not totally satisfied with all of the pictures. Very close attention finds minor flaws, such as the focus being off by an inch. I have heard advice that a printed portfolio is more important to potential clients. I will need to learn more about inkjet printing. I have a good photo printer (Canon PIXMA iP4300) that supports 8×10. I should be planning my ‘shopping list’ such that I can fill out my portfolio.
- Contact a professional and pimp myself out. This will be the hardest to do, to overcome my own shyness. I will contact local photographers and ask if they need a part-time assistant. This will be the start of a side income for supporting my hobby. I have a lead from a co-worker, and I’ve been collecting some business cards. I would only be available on evenings and weekends.
10 months
- Complete my portfolio. It must have enough materials available so that it can be tailored to my different needs.
- Set up a business, such that I can put my equipment under professional insurance, etc. I’ve already had the camera stolen once (St. Petersburg, Russia), which was covered by my home owners insurance. I don’t want to have to make any more claims against my home insurance, as that might cause them to drop me as a client (I’ve heard of this happening to others). Plus, if I am doing any professional work, my equipment would not be covered by home insurance anyways. It might provide some protection (law suits) and tax benefits. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time; the hardest part so far is thinking of a good name.
