Will power is the force we all have inside us that drives us to do better, do more, and make actionable choices. It is an essential part of moving forward in life, and it’s a huge help when we’re looking to get into a new career.

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your photography skills or start your career in photography entirely, using willpower is one way to get a foot in the door and get started.

What is Will Power?
Look, we’ve all dealt with procrastination and fear when it comes to something new. Perhaps you feel that you do not have enough time or that the universe just isn’t on your side. Or maybe you’re a new mom, and you’re super busy trying to take care of the kids and juggle all the errands for your family that you feel that you couldn’t possibly chase your photography business dreams.

Well, willpower is the one thing that can help you do it. Simply speaking, it is the push that we feel inside of ourselves when we have the urge to give up. It’s always encouraging you to do more, be strong, and keep going. Everyone uses willpower in some way, whether they use it consciously or not.

Some ways you may use willpower in your day-to-day life include:

• Making yourself get up in the morning to take a shower, even when you want to sleep in
• Getting the errands done, even when you’re stressed
• Turning in your assignment early because you want some free time on the weekend
• Making an appointment for yourself because you need to get a check-up
• Pushing through the final lap while running

Will power can also help you meet your career goals. Here’s how.

Using Will Power to Kickstart a Photography Career
The first step you should take to use willpower is to accept that anything is possible. Many of us get stuck in our minds thinking, “I could never do that.” However, we rarely see celebrities and successful businesspeople telling themselves, “I can’t do better.”

In fact, you’ll often hear successful people tell you that they worked very hard to get their success and that their secret was pushing through the complex parts.
You can do the same. Here are a few ways to start small.

Don’t Pressure Yourself
Will power is not the same thing as pressure. Thinking something like, “why can’t I just do it? I’m so lazy,” is actually just a self-attack, and it makes you less likely to finish what you’re hoping to accomplish.

Instead of pressuring yourself to finish a task, tell yourself, “I am capable, and I will get this done when I’m ready to.” You can also try:

• Scheduling an appointment for yourself in advance
• Leaving gentle reminders for yourself
• Combatting negative self-thoughts with something positive

Take It One Step at a Time
It’s pretty impossible to start a photography business in one day. You have to plan it out, come up with a name, build a website and online presence, work on marketing materials, and build a portfolio. Altogether, these things can feel overwhelming.

However, if you take them one step at a time, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to get it all done. If you’re usually busy in your everyday life, find a time during your day when you can dedicate even just ten minutes to your task. Maybe that’ll be setting up your logo or choosing a color scheme.

When you have a day off from your regular business, dedicate at least half the day to your business plan, and the other half can be used to relax or reward yourself for your hard work. Humans are reward-motivated, so having something to look forward to is an excellent way to kick your willpower into action.

Open Your Mind
It’s time to believe in yourself. To be able to complete a goal, opening your mind to the possibility is essential. You don’t have to believe you’re a rocket scientist, but you should be able to encourage yourself through positive thinking and seeing the possibilities.

Truly believing that you are stuck somewhere will keep you stuck. Even if you don’t honestly believe that you can make something of your photography plans, humor yourself a little and consider the fact that you might be able to. See how you could change your current lifestyle and mindset to make it happen. Do those ideas sound doable? If not, why?

What can you change to meet your personal goals?

Conclusion
Will power is always a personal choice. However, it can alter your understanding of life, goals, and even yourself when used correctly. Even if you’re afraid to take the first step, try brainstorming what it would be like if you did. Remember not to pressure yourself. If you want to learn more about willpower before taking the dive, check out the advice column on BetterHelp.



Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.