Happy dance
Today was great. It feels like a new life since I’ve gotten rid of the vertigo; I got a whole lot done.
I’m getting my photography business going again. When the vertigo hit so hard, I had to call my clients and tell them I was quitting.
But now I’ve told them I’m back in the saddle again. Their response was great. One woman, an interior design client, upon hearing I could take photos for her said, “I’m doing my happy dance.” That cracked me up and made my day.
I also finished my new website. It shows off my work in full-screen format. If you want to see it, go to www.jimwsmith.com.
Oh, today I also contacted my clients to tell them I was raising my rates. I heard back from a realtor who is one of my biggest clients and she was fine with the raise. Yay!
So all is well.
I guess I’m doing my happy dance too!
Oh my Jim, do we ever have so much in common! I’ve been trying to get out of teaching music since about 7 years after I began that career way back in 1972. So yeah, since 1979! I tried and failed so many times to change careers… well, here’s the whole story if you care to read it.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-in-the-Right-Business?&id=3282788
These days, with the help of my wonderful wife, (and a little nudge from CLL) I finally HAVE transitioned into a new career. Since a near-death experience at the end of 2009, I started taking my health MUCH more seriously. When I recovered, I started pushing myself to new limits which ended up being FAR BEYOND any health and fitness level I had ever achieved before.
Now by combining my passion for personal development along with nutrition and exercise, I’m simply sharing what I’m learning and what I’m doing. The more I share, the better my own life seems to get! For me, it’s the ultimate in turning lemons into lemonade.
Through my new site, I get to help people change the way they think, eat and exercise. For me, life is beginning at 60! 🙂
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
Cue the Three Dog Night music, ‘Celebrate’! This is a great post Jim. So glad you shared this!
Next to practicing ‘Gratitude’, celebrating every little victory and success is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you live a longer, healthier and happier life.
I’ve got one word for your new site… actually, no I don’t – I’m speechless (for once).
OK, OK you twisted my arm – how about STUNNING!
Here’s a story about price raising. I ran my own private music school since 1978 and I was ALWAYS nervous about raising my prices because I feared the mass exodus of folks seeking better prices. Sure, there were a few folks who squabbled a bit whenever there was an increase. Heck, I squabble too, whenever I see gas and grocery prices going up. It’s only natural, right?
However, the vast majority of folks stayed because of ME and the quality of attention and service I gave them. My students and their parents weren’t just ‘students and parents’; they were my family! Over the many years I ran my music studio, I never had to advertise as ALL my business came through word-of-mouth from satisfied clients.
My eyes were really opened early on in my career when one of my students referred a friend to my school. I went through my initial interview and when it came time to talk money, I hesitatingly gave my fee. Oh, how I HATED this part of the business!
When the potential new student and her parents heard my low fee and saw my almost begging, pleading posture, they were very surprised. “We came to check you out because we heard you were GOOD! You’re about $50/month CHEAPER than the last teacher we had!”
(and this was back in 1980 when $50/month cheaper was significant cabbage!)
Yeah, I was better than that! My existing students were already bragging on me to their family and friends! I had to learn how to believe in myself.
Jim, your work is STUNNING! No wonder your clients are doing the ‘Happy Dance’. It’s so obvious that you take tremendous care and pride in your work. And in today’s world of impersonal, big-box mentality, that kind of caring pride and personal service is PRICELESS!
Believe in yourself!
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
Thank you for your own story about raising prices. It sounds like you had a successful business. Especially because your clients appreciated your abilities. You have helped me see the value in my work. Heck, maybe I’ll charge a whole lot more next year!!
And thank you for the compliments on my photography. My real love is documentary photography (like W. Eugene Smith did). I got into that in college – many moons ago – but haven’t done any since. The architecture work is the bread and butter job. I might do some editorial/documentary photography as an avocation.
Come to think of it, I will. Re-discovering my interests has gone a long way to helping me forget my health issues.
Take care, Russ.