The value of underbooking….

We are living in a fast paced world.  Everything looks more “successful” when your schedule is full.  We are finding ways to fill our schedules by creating opportunities to fill them.  If it isn’t work, it’s social events, meetings, activities,etc.  When our schedules are completely full we applaud ourselves as successful.

In 2015 I found myself this way.  Booked almost every weekend.  I was “successful.”  I looked like I was reaching a new level of success to those around me.  Truth is-I was barely holding on in every aspect of my life.  My relationships with my family and friends was suffering.  I was giving them my leftovers because I never “had time.”  I was doing my best and giving my best to my clients, yet my best wasn’t focused and precise.  It was a jumbled mess just barely making deadlines.  I was running on leftovers and of course never ever having time for myself.  After experiencing two of the most tragic events of my life thus far in 2015, I realized that things had to change and they had to change fast!

At the end of 2015 I had made a decision to not book anything else for 2016 but what was already in my books.  To make a long story short, what ended up happening was that I all of a sudden had more time.  More time to breath, more time to think, more time to love, more time to laugh, more time to LIVE!  I engulfed myself in my relationships and the strangest thing began to happen…..VISION!  CLEAR VISION & direction in my business.

By April/May I found myself transforming in business.  I knew what I wanted and WHY I wanted it.  I worked on the foundation of my business and realized that I didn’t want to be overbooked anymore.  I would limit my shoots per week and I would be ok with weekends that I didn’t book and take advantage to enjoy life and explore my creativity.

2016 has taught me the value of underbooking.  I was able to focus on my clients and their upmost desires.  I was able to understand them fully and walk into each photo session giving 110%.  I was able to brainstorm and create amazing experiences.  I began to book the type of clients that valued me in return.  It was such an incredible transition that helped me to create and add value to my business.  I even carved out two months at the end of this year to finally do these projects that have been on my heart and mind for years!

In this fast paced life we live in – I want to continually find myself re-evaluating the things that I’m doing and I want to continually ask myself WHY I am doing them.  I want to be satisfied all the way around so that I can produce the quality work that I am proud to produce.  I don’t want to be concerned about the numbers rather the value that I bring and the value that I receive in return.  I fully embrace the value of underbooking, it has changed my life.