{"id":38435,"date":"2017-02-05T22:39:16","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T06:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?page_id=38435"},"modified":"2017-02-05T22:59:27","modified_gmt":"2017-02-06T06:59:27","slug":"actions-not-results","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/actions-not-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus on Your Actions, Not the Results"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"eric
Tokyo, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcA soldier\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skill is not at fault if he receives the death-blow through his armor.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 – Seneca\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I wanted to write you a letter emphasizing the importance of you to focus on your actions<\/em> \u00e2\u20ac\u201d not the results<\/em> of your actions.<\/p>\n

1. Focus on what you can control<\/h2>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The wise man regards the reason for all his actions, but not the results.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Seneca\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To start off, no matter how hard you work, no matter how smart you are, no matter how skilled you are \u00e2\u20ac\u201d if lady luck isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on your side, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get your desired result or outcome.<\/p>\n

For example, you can be born 5 feet tall, and you can work your entire life being the best basketball player possible. You can spend 10 hours a day shooting hoops, building your physical fitness, yet you might never make it to the NBA.<\/p>\n

Similarly, you can be the most skilled photographer. You can know all the technical settings you need to know, you might have the best cameras, you might take the most beautiful photos \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the right connections, if the public doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appreciate your style, or whatever external circumstance\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you might never become famous.<\/p>\n

2. Become indifferent to fate<\/h2>\n

This is why I believe it is better for us to focus on our actions, our effort, our hustle, rather than the results.<\/p>\n

Disconnect yourself from the results. Because you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control them \u00e2\u20ac\u201d especially if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re subjected to the opinions of others.<\/p>\n

For example, you cannot control whether you will become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153famous\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or not. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control whether you will get a million followers on social media. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control whether you will become a millionaire through your photography.<\/p>\n

However you can control whether you always have your camera with you. You can control not looking at distracting websites, and focusing all your efforts in improving your craft. You can control investing in books, not gear. You can control connecting with other like-minded photographers, and helping them, and also receiving help.<\/p>\n

3. Never stop hustling<\/h2>\n

Focus on the effort in life, and become indifferent to fate and the outcome. This way you can continue to grow, learn, and develop, and build your strength.<\/p>\n

Never stop hustling,
\nEric<\/p>\n

\n

Learn more about stoicism<\/h2>\n
\"Statue
Statue of Marcus Aurelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you want to learn more about Stoicism, read the articles below:<\/p>\n