Failure is not an option

failure is not an option
Made with Canva by me

Ever had the thought that no matter how many times you try, you feel like a failure? You don’t get the attention you’re looking for. When no one else believes in you, giving up is easier. But nothing would be new if everyone thought the same, and the world wouldn’t have evolved as it is. Everybody won’t become great inventors, but we can do something about our lives. You can either work for others, or you can work for yourself. The latter is the hard way, which scares or worries people, including me. I don’t want to fail because that’s not an option. I don’t have time to start over again. That’s one reason I haven’t taken the step I wish to take, the fear of failure. I’ve failed in different ways. Whether it’s been education or finding a job. Certain things you can’t do yourself, like getting a job. That’s more about luck than failure. I’ve been luckier getting into a school I applied to than getting a job. They say you have a better chance of getting a job if you educate yourself, but in my experience, that isn’t true. Maybe it’s true in some occupations but not in mine.

My biggest fear the most is not being able to pay the bills if I become an entrepreneur. To be paid for a job, you need clients. It’s easier to search for a job but that haven’t happened to me, so I’m seriously thinking about becoming one. I’m already active on social media and have take courses about different approached to online marketing. But my worry is that despite doing what needs to be done, I still don’t get any clients. Am I wasting my time and should I forget about it? Maybe my business plan or dream clients doesn’t exist? What if I’m not good enough because I don’t have work experience and that’s the reason I don’t find clients? Those are the questions I keep asking myself. I don’t want to take the risk to have a business, if I have to wait couple of years to make a profit. Then a job with someone else would be better or being unemployment with benefits. Fortunally, with good planning and good confidence in my skills it won’t take that long. You don’t need to struggle with problems alone because there are people who can help.

I know I work better in an environment that I can control. I’ve been to workplaces where I didn’t feel I belonged. I don’t want to do a job I don’t want to do. Life shouldn’t be about doing things you’re not meant for. I believe you should follow your dreams even if they seem impossible in some other persons eyes. There are always people who hope you fail but that’s because they’re not brave enough to do anything about their own hopes and dreams. When my late Dad worked for another company before he started his own, there were people who were jealous because he made more money than them. But that didn’t stop him from doing a job. He started his company in 1990 and quit at least 2 years before his death this year. He had his ups and downs financially, but his occupation was different from mine. He was a goldsmith and that was an uncertain business. I followed from the sidelines how having a business worked, so I know how it is. He could chose his own hours and that’s more my style too. I’m not meant to do 9-5 jobs and people breathing down my neck. I want to be able to be myself and not try to act to be someone I’m not.

One month to go

Have you ever been in a situation where things seem too good to be true? Someone would pinch you and wake you up from your dream.

That what happened to me. I applied for a photography course in the beginning of this year. It’s in a school called Helsinki Design School. I wrote about it here. I still don’t believe I got in. Someone pinch me 😀

So it’s one more month until it starts. Feels like an eternity but a month goes quite fast. The feeling is between excitement and nervousness. Excitement because of the impression the school gives about themselves. I get to study photography a little deeper. I’ll meet new people and opportunities I usually wouldn’t get. Most importantly, get better at photography.

The nervous part is will I find the school when I first arrive to Helsinki. I’ve searched the address on Google Maps but will I find it, is a different matter. Even if I know the city and I’ve been there alone before, I still a bit worried. I wouldn’t want to get late on the first day.
Other concern is, will I get anything out of the course. I’ve been in a school before where they gave me hope but I didn’t get anywhere. I don’t want to waste an education on nonsense. I want real opportunities and not just hope. The school promises to be different from other schools but I’ll believe it when I see it. Some people might get new friends, contacts and so on. But maybe I won’t. I have hope now but what then when the real thing starts.

I shouldn’t worry too much. Maybe things won’t be the way I think they will. One thing I know, is that the school assignments won’t be a problem for me. I’ve done the Weekly Photo Challenge so they can’t be more difficult than that. I really hope the school are worth my money.

I’ll keep you updated. Watch this space.