Comments on: Promoting Passion Week 54: Motivation & Competition

By: Micheal Johansen

Micheal Johansen — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 17:52:09 +0000

I have enjoyed viewing your photography and reading your philosophy. I especially identify with tip #2. My wife and I met in High School. Last week we celebrated our 46 anniversary, we now have 12 children and 46 grandchildren. I want to (even though I’m an old guy) learn more about photography and how to create expressions of my own thoughts and feeling through that medium. I look forward to learning lots from you.
Your friend Mike Johansen.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:16:30 +0000

“There is only one way to complete your dreams: The way that feels most natural to you.” For me, this is one of the best quotes I have ever read. I am always asking myself “Am I doing this right?” when it comes to following my dreams. If it hasn’t happened yet and people question me and say maybe I should change course I start to question myself. This quote feels so right to me and takes a weight off my shoulders. Bless you

By: dhurt espina

dhurt espina — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:50:33 +0000

When I create art I always put into mind that I am doing this to express my inner self, my thoughts, ideas and feelings. I do not think of what others may say to what I am doing I just keep on going and doing what I love to do. I do not like competing with other artists out there, it creates a gap among us. In some cases I experienced it comes to a point that other people say something not good to what other people do and for me that is not good and so negative. We are all here to exchange ideas, inspire and motivate one another not only in the field of art but LIFE itself. Competition to me is something that we should avoid. If there is one person to compete against, that would be YOURSELF.

By: thea

thea — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:52:38 +0000

Brooke, I just wanted to stop by and thank you for all your blogposts! Although I do not comment very often (mostly because at least one of the wonderful people who comment already say what I wish to say and sometimes all I want to say is “Wow, thank you, let me think about this a little longer”) I still read it every week (and inbetween if you post more), I let it sit with me, I read it again, I think about it, allow it to inspire me and it enlightens me every time!
So this is a collective huge THANK YOU for each and every one of your blog posts as well as the wonderful space you have created here – because I also read the wonderful comments and those add up to the power of your blog! Also I have discovered some other wonderful artists here, so thank you, thank you, thank you again and again!

By: Deirdre O'Sullivan

Deirdre O'Sullivan — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 14:32:23 +0000

I loved this blog post and have been a fan of your work for a long time now.
For me, my problem is trying to decide on my style or which genre of photography I want to specialize in creatively.
Of course, we all have our paid jobs that pay the bills but my creative side goes from levitation to straight head shots to art nude… and everywhere in between.
I notice that your images really have a style, immediately I can tell oh that is Brooke Shaden’s image.. I don’t think I really have that yet and if I do, I don’t think I’m happy with it.
so my question is about style 🙂
Hope you have a great week and looking forward to your next blog x

By: Pink Light Images

Pink Light Images — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 03:31:10 +0000

In reply to Linda. definitely!!!! :)

By: brookeshaden

brookeshaden — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 15:11:19 +0000

In reply to Robert Michael. Hi Robert! I absolutely loved your response and hearing your personal story, so I featured you on the "Featured Philosophy" section of my blog. Thank you so much for sharing!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:46:45 +0000

For me, motivation comes when I am true to myself. Let’s face it, there are a lot of great photographers out there, but when I compare myself to them, I feel discouraged and lose motivation, for how can I ever reach their level? I get distracted from my own journey. But recently I started thinking about what it is that makes me happy…what kind of images am I passionate about? What makes my vision unique? I started looking at my older photos, and there was a lot I liked. So, I started reworking it with newly learned photoshop skills. And as I gather them together, I understand how I see differently from others.
Sometimes in order to move forward you have to get back to your roots.

By: will

will — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:56:13 +0000

I think self-motivation is a tricky area. It becomes simpler when it’s in the context of other people. I am not a competitive person, and find left to my own devices motivation is difficult. But instead I am the mostly motivated when I feel I am supporting others in their goals. To me competition can produce results, but also can be self-destructive in nature. This maybe why so many artists struggle with motivation, since without a driver to compete, you are left with the strength of your own purpose to continue. This is when you need to look for that other person or people, which makes the effort meaningful and significant. Well, this was what I was thinking.

By: Robert Michael

Robert Michael — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:49:33 +0000

This post could not have come at a better time in my life.

Four years ago I was forced, economically, to take my first ever full time position. Luckily, I thought, it was in video production ( I do both stills and video). The job is 100 miles away from my home. I spend 4 days a week away from my wife and sons. The work is sparse and uninspiring. The corporate culture is far from ideal for any creative. And I could no longer service the few clients I had left from afar. Three years of my life were spent in a funk. Motivation gone.

About 4 months ago, my wife told me to quit. While her job can in no means support the 4 of us, we would not starve. So we made a plan. Six months to quit. The thought of freedom to pursue not only my personal work, but the work of those who appreciate me as an artist, is motivating.

So, what was my path to be? As a commercial shooter for both stills and video, I joined the local Chamber of Commerce. It turned out that this organization is a group of people passionate about what they do for a living. Passionate about THEIR path. This infused a boost of energy into my pursuit of passion.

Next on my path was to make a concentrated effort to document my path. As it turns out, sharing what you are doing is quite motivating to keep moving forward when you start to see the body of “behind the scenes” work that is happening.

I also created a morning routine that allows me to get my creative energy satisfied before my business energy. Not only do I get something creative done every day, the energy and confidence gained from constant creation caries over into how I approach potential clients, how I write proposals, and how people respond to my presentations.

In just 4 months, my phone is ringing. The referrals are coming in. The energy put forth to learn about other businesses in the chamber, or to share my knowledge and experience with others is starting to make its rounds. And while I still have 2 months to go before the “big day”, my motivation is returned. I have been made aware by the universe that my value as an artist is real, that I matter.

And that is the largest motivation of all. I look forward to reading all the comments on here. Perhaps we need a facebook page to keep this conversation moving? It’s a great topic and deserves respect.

Again, thanks for the post!