It's so very hard to learn to focus on the moment, Patricia, and to give ourselves permission to live life richly in the here and now. All too soon body agency changes, and especially if we don't take care of ourselves, we are much reduced.
I love this article! Not only is it a pitch for getting fit and not being a couch potato but it is also a seed for improving our mental health. People just don't realize what benefit getting out of the house can be. Set a goal, big or small and stick to it. Your body and soul will thank you.
Wow, I support every sentence here! Years ago I was given the book Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement by Kevin Gilmartin. He describes the 'I usta' mentality- the adrenaline spikes of the job tend to leave people wanting to do nothing in their off time. Because of that, things they once loved to do become things they 'usta' do. I realized this was happening to me and focused on reversing the trend.
So. Suppose someone (hypothetically me) wanted to make a career of adventure travel. Any tips on where to start?
They will give you a good basic idea. It's not a clear road, it differs for all of us and it depends on a billion different things. Your skills, what you want to do with your skills, all of it. I am happy to add more but these two will possibly get you thinking.
Outstanding! I've known this field is the holy Grail of build-your-own adventures, but I've been giving it my best for several years with no traction. Had another disappointment this week and have been looking for other ways forward. I can't thank you enough!
There is no one path, Eric. So much of it is on us, our willingness to get out there and build the creds. Could you get into guiding? Do you have the background to guide? I have another idea for you if so.
These are some excellent articles with very valuable resources. I don't have a background in guiding, but I know it is something many landscape photographers do with workshops. Maybe its something I'll start considering.
I feel highly self-confident about my capabilities, but its clear I have a lot of work to do to establish my creds in this arena and then to learn about pitching my work. Again, thanks for taking the time to share this!
Erik, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the huge competition for what you want to do. Second, the demand for differentiation. How are you unique, and what makes you special vs. all your competition? I trained thousands of small suppliers on how to sell themselves to the Fortune 500. One of the essential keys was to be able to answer this: "I am the ONLY landscape photographer who.......(fill in the blank). Until and unless you and I can fill in that blank, we sound like thousands of others who are clamoring for attention. I differentiate myself as one of the few if not the only woman my age who has not only done adventure travel but STARTED at sixty, which is rare, and who brings prize winning journalism, two prize winning books, years of consulting, training and public speaking to the table. The combination of all those things makes me very attractive to my clientele for it means I can address a variety of challenges and deliver on a variety of levels. The challenge for you is to similarly tease out of your background what makes you different, how can you offer skills and perspectives and knowledge to the people you want to work with. Above all, try asking what kinds of problems you want to solve. If you can offer workshops on landscape photography, where could you offer them? Who would be interested and why? Look into outfits like Road Scholar and the like, see what they offer if anything, and that might be a source of some ideas. HOpe that helps.
I love your attitude! I believe we should treat life like an adventure - make the most of it and you do too!
It's so very hard to learn to focus on the moment, Patricia, and to give ourselves permission to live life richly in the here and now. All too soon body agency changes, and especially if we don't take care of ourselves, we are much reduced.
I so agree with this.
I love this article! Not only is it a pitch for getting fit and not being a couch potato but it is also a seed for improving our mental health. People just don't realize what benefit getting out of the house can be. Set a goal, big or small and stick to it. Your body and soul will thank you.
So very true. Learned that lesson directly at my house!
Aw, THANK YOU for the shout-out, Julia! Still researching local stables (most aren't open right now because of all the ice) but working on it!
Wow, I support every sentence here! Years ago I was given the book Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement by Kevin Gilmartin. He describes the 'I usta' mentality- the adrenaline spikes of the job tend to leave people wanting to do nothing in their off time. Because of that, things they once loved to do become things they 'usta' do. I realized this was happening to me and focused on reversing the trend.
So. Suppose someone (hypothetically me) wanted to make a career of adventure travel. Any tips on where to start?
Here are some things to get you started. First: https://www.walkaboutsaga.com/how-i-became-an-international-adventure-traveler/
And this article which I reference in the above piece: https://www.outsideonline.com/2390235/lessons-eight-years-writing-adventure-blog
They will give you a good basic idea. It's not a clear road, it differs for all of us and it depends on a billion different things. Your skills, what you want to do with your skills, all of it. I am happy to add more but these two will possibly get you thinking.
Outstanding! I've known this field is the holy Grail of build-your-own adventures, but I've been giving it my best for several years with no traction. Had another disappointment this week and have been looking for other ways forward. I can't thank you enough!
Erik, this might also give you some ideas about folks who made a big jump to the other side if you will: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/how-i-did-it/
There is no one path, Eric. So much of it is on us, our willingness to get out there and build the creds. Could you get into guiding? Do you have the background to guide? I have another idea for you if so.
These are some excellent articles with very valuable resources. I don't have a background in guiding, but I know it is something many landscape photographers do with workshops. Maybe its something I'll start considering.
I feel highly self-confident about my capabilities, but its clear I have a lot of work to do to establish my creds in this arena and then to learn about pitching my work. Again, thanks for taking the time to share this!
Erik, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the huge competition for what you want to do. Second, the demand for differentiation. How are you unique, and what makes you special vs. all your competition? I trained thousands of small suppliers on how to sell themselves to the Fortune 500. One of the essential keys was to be able to answer this: "I am the ONLY landscape photographer who.......(fill in the blank). Until and unless you and I can fill in that blank, we sound like thousands of others who are clamoring for attention. I differentiate myself as one of the few if not the only woman my age who has not only done adventure travel but STARTED at sixty, which is rare, and who brings prize winning journalism, two prize winning books, years of consulting, training and public speaking to the table. The combination of all those things makes me very attractive to my clientele for it means I can address a variety of challenges and deliver on a variety of levels. The challenge for you is to similarly tease out of your background what makes you different, how can you offer skills and perspectives and knowledge to the people you want to work with. Above all, try asking what kinds of problems you want to solve. If you can offer workshops on landscape photography, where could you offer them? Who would be interested and why? Look into outfits like Road Scholar and the like, see what they offer if anything, and that might be a source of some ideas. HOpe that helps.
It certainly does! Those are the questions I need to answer AS I'm pursuing the creds and skills!
I'll do my best. I have some chores right now, but will return to this later.
No worries! No rush at all!