IlA Marshall

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The New Adventure: 3 Things I’ve Learned from My First Year in Business

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A New Adventure

Life has a funny way of creating adventures for each of us. Whether starting a new career, side hustle, or learning a new skill, there are unique challenges to embarking on a new adventure. I faced this as I started my business a year ago as a photographer, and I want to share the top three things I learned.

New Adventures with a teachable heart

The one thing I love about new adventures is the learning curve that it produces. There is an overflow of information, but if we have a teachable heart, we can find places for education instead of being pushed around by the storms of information.

When we have a teachable heart in our new adventures, we also give room for inspiration as we learn. That’s probably my favorite thing about learning. (I must sound like a homeschool mom now, huh?)

Sometimes looking for education means finding mentors or applying to a formal college or certification program. I’ve done all these at some point in my life, but I learned the most in my business when I kept my mind open and heart soft to the options around me instead of thinking I had all the answers. That leads me to the second thing I learned in my first year in business.

New Adventures with Humility

When we ask questions with humility, we give way for the experts, professionals, or those in a season of life ahead of us to share their experiences with us. Being humble as we ask questions can also honor those who may be pioneers in our field.

Some of the best “aha” moments for me in my business were when I took a humble look at what I didn’t know and found the courage to ask all the questions weighing me down. Being humble also means it’s a relief to know that I don’t have to be perfect and always have the option of learning along my new adventure.

See more of this backyard session with the Ballert-Dalrymple family

Facing New Adventures with Bravery

The last and greatest thing I learned this year is to be brave! Ask your friend to model for you as you practice working with people. Share your product with your friend. You will probably find they don’t mind being your guinea pig!

Being brave is essential in new adventures because it gives us space to grow and can inspire others to grow along with us!

Ask for help, advice, or feedback from each client so you can practice with a humble and teachable heart, and don’t let your fear of succeeding or failing keep you from creating.

Read more from the Shamirra Session

I’m so happy to move into my second year in business and excited to see where the Lord will lead me next. The great thing about striving for excellence is how it influences your personal life. I am happy to improve as a wife, mama, friend, and human! This post was all about new adventure, but remember: be teachable, be humble, and be brave!