So I’m talking about photography here, however please find this relatable to anything you’re passionate about, but haven’t quite arrived at “good enough,” in your own mind just yet. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by people that believe I’m good enough, and have always told me so. I have supportive parents that raised me to believe I would be successful in anything I put my mind to, friends that rave about my work to others, and an amazing husband that constantly cheers me on.
To be totally honest with you, there’s a large part of me that always knew I’d be my own boss someday. I didn’t actually have a clue what that business looked like, or how I would achieve this idea of owning a business. But growing up with my dad running his own business and joking about the idea of, “Hoffelt’s don’t work for other people, we’re our own boss’s!” I knew it was bound to happen.
Then this little thing called photography started. I thought to myself about these conversations I had with my dad as a young girl, “This could be it! The family name lives on with another Hoffelt business owner!” and with that I jumped into the scary world of figuring out how to run a business.
Suddenly I found myself in a place extremely foreign and scary to me. As a child, I remember thinking how easy my dad made it all look. He’s such a brilliant man with amazing work ethic and it never occurred to me how hard he actually worked to run a successful business. This idea of owning a business became my worst fear, and I didn’t have a clue where to start, so for a while I didn’t do anything. I didn’t believe I was good enough, I didn’t believe I could figure it out. I thought I lost my opportunity because I picked the wrong major in college, leaving me doomed for a career in Public Relations, cubicle style.
But somewhere inside of me I found that little voice that reminded me, “One step at a time, you ARE good enough, you WILL learn, make it happen if you want it bad enough, Hoffelt’s don’t work for other people (thanks dad ;)).” So I had to make a decision, if I wanted others to trust me to take their pictures, I had to believe that I was good enough. I had to believe that I could run a successful business as a 20-something year old woman. You see, you can’t expect others to take you seriously until you take yourself seriously.
So many of my friends and family can attest to my fears and unbelief back in the beginning, and on certain aspects of business to this day. However, I’m finally in a place that I believe I am good enough. I’m proud of myself for the journey I’ve made to this point. I’m okay with the idea that I don’t know everything. I’m excited to think about where I’ll be by this time next year. I’m confident in my craft. I know that I am worth what I charge. I am running a business and I will be successful!
Do you believe that you’re good enough? You won’t get very far until you do. Make the decision to believe in yourself, today!
Brianne LehrThis is great. I really appreciated it, today.
Tamara Jackson PowellNicole! I haven’t been to your site in so long and I’m just thrilled to see how much progress you have made with your business! You’re doing great work — wow! You were always good enough, now you’re great! Very proud of you.
Mia OdellI love you and I LOVE your photography! It’s all over our walls. So glad you wrote this. Xoxoxo
Garrett WardBeautifully written