The Value of...Your Time

One of the blessings the past year has given me is the opportunity to reflect.  As a homeschooling mom of three and owner of a business, life has simultaneously sped up and slowed down.  There has certainly been a “Groundhog Day” effect as weeks have blended together, but in the beauty of the monotony I’ve also intentionally sought time to think, plan, and question, often with a cup of coffee or on a walk.  Maybe you can relate!  As time has moved both fast (seeing how quickly my boys are growing or the seeming blink of time between product launches) and slow (did we really have time in the spring to watch every Pixar, Harry Potter, and Star Wars movie 

*any other boy-mom turned Star Wars nerd out there?🌟*

and wonder what was next in our queue), I’ve thought a lot about the precious value to this limited and fleeting thing we all enjoy called time.  

When you can’t visit family for the holidays or your child’s soccer season is cancelled, you realize just how precious and limited those memory making events are; I know I’ve gained a new appreciation for them.  My husband majored in economics in college and shared with me that one of his professors in college defined economics as “how people use scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants.” We all have a limited amount of energy, money, and time, but also a list of dreams -purchasing a home, starting or growing a business, helping your kids reach their potential.  The choices we make each day on how we use those limited resources we’ve been gifted are like dropping coins in the piggy bank of our dreams.  I’ve realized that far too often, I haven’t been intentional about those investments and I am thankful that the change of pace of the past year has forced me to reconsider.  What are my biggest goals and dreams and does the way that I spend my time move me closer or further away?  Making decisions in light of that question has helped me filter the noise of decision making.  

In my photography business, everything I do is to help serve and bring value to teacher-sellers like you. I’ve loved hearing from my clients that my images have helped them grow their audience or sell more resources.  It thrills me to help them achieve in those areas! But, my favorite compliment I’ve received is that my mockups and stock images are saving them countless hours browsing online and searching Google to find an image for their post or online store, and even pulling lights and props out to spend their weekend shooting their own images!  As I pause and think about that, I am humbled to know that something I’ve created helps many others create a little extra capacity to pursue their dreams. Think about that with what you do and are creating with your time.  The resource you create helps teachers inspire students around the world and saves them time.  Time that they can spend with their family, time they can use to start or grow a dream side business, time they can invest in helping their community, or even just creating some breathing room in their schedule, so they aren’t feeling so rushed and hurried through their day and life.  When we each look at what we do in light of the benefit we are giving others, it truly is inspiring and creativity enhancing.

My question I leave you with today is this: 

“What is one thing I can eliminate, carve out, delegate or outsource this week that will give me one more hour a week to pursue a dream?” 

*psst...wanna save time in your biz by trying out stock and mockup images that are perfect for your teacher business? Be sure to snag your Instant Refresh Bundle of 15 images from me!