My First 10,000 Photos Were Rubbish!

I know what you’re thinking: “He’s talking about small steps again.” And you’re right! But hear me out—this isn’t just a favorite topic of mine. It’s a foundational truth I learned the hard way, and it’s worth repeating because it truly works.

Let me take you back more than 40 years. I was just starting out with photography, inspired by the breathtaking images I saw in magazines and galleries. I wanted to create art like that, to capture moments that could move people.

So, I saved up for an expensive camera, read all the guides I could find, and threw myself into the craft. I had big dreams and plenty of enthusiasm. But as you might guess, reality had other plans.

My first photos were…well, let’s just say they were far from art. The composition was awkward, the lighting was terrible, and I didn’t have the faintest idea how to make the camera work for me. It was frustrating, and honestly, I wanted to give up.

But I didn’t.

Instead of obsessing over perfection, I decided to focus on one thing: practice. My new goal wasn’t to take amazing photos—it was simply to take photos. Lots of them. Every day. No matter how bad they were.

And trust me, most of them were really bad. In fact, I’d say my first 10,000 photos were rubbish. But I kept going.

Over time, something amazing happened. I started to see patterns in my mistakes. I began experimenting with light and angles, paying attention to details I’d previously ignored. Slowly but surely, my photos improved.

Looking back, those 10,000 “failures” were anything but wasted effort. Each one taught me something, built my confidence, and brought me closer to the photographer I wanted to become.

That’s the power of small, consistent steps.

And that’s why I’m telling this story at the start of a new year. Whether your goal is to learn a new skill, improve your health, or tackle a big project, the same principle applies. Break it down. Take one small action today, then another tomorrow.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that success has to come quickly or dramatically. But real growth doesn’t happen in leaps—it happens in inches. It’s not about getting it perfect; it’s about showing up, again and again, even when you feel like you’re failing.

So, if you’re worried about starting small, remember this: my first 10,000 photos were rubbish. But they paved the way for every image I’ve taken since.

This year, embrace the small steps. Celebrate the tiny victories. And trust that with persistence, those little actions will lead to something extraordinary.

Stop Worrying—Start Living

The beginning of a new year often feels like a time of pressure. Will I get my finances in order? Will I finally lose that weight? Am I on the right career path? Are my relationships where they should be? The list goes on.

But let me ask you something: has worrying ever solved any of those problems?

I’ve spent more than enough sleepless nights in my life going over all the “what-ifs” and “how-wills” in my head. You know what changed when morning came? Nothing. Worry didn’t magically pay the bills, fix my relationships, or get me closer to my goals. It just drained my energy and left me with nothing to show for it.

Worry is a thief. It steals your time, your energy, and your confidence. And worst of all, it tricks you into thinking you’re doing something productive when all you’re really doing is standing still.

What actually works? Action.

When I decided to stop letting my worries control me, I started focusing on small, consistent actions instead. Instead of worrying about money, I made a plan—cut unnecessary expenses, saved what I could, and stuck to it. Instead of worrying about my health, I got moving—10 minutes of walking turned into a habit that reshaped my day.

Consistency is the real magic here. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. In fact, you shouldn’t. Pick one thing. Just one. And commit to showing up for it every day, even when it feels like progress is slow. The results will come, but only if you stick with it.

Let’s not forget the importance of rest. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking time to recharge isn’t laziness—it’s strategy. Rest fuels your determination, sharpens your focus, and keeps you from burning out before you’ve even started.

And confidence? That comes from doing, not worrying. Every time you take action, no matter how small, you prove to yourself that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t a switch you flip—it’s built one step at a time.

So, as we step into 2025, I challenge you to let go of worry. It’s not helping you, and it never will. Instead, channel that energy into action, consistency, determination, rest, and self-belief.

This year, let’s not just survive—we’ll thrive. One step at a time, one action at a time. The future isn’t built by worrying about what might go wrong; it’s built by doing what’s right, right now.

New Year’s Resolutions: Turning Intentions Into Realities

Every January 1st, I used to sit down with a cup of coffee, a notebook, and a head full of ambitious resolutions. I’d scribble things like “exercise every day,” “save a lot of money,” or “finally write that book.” And for a week or two, I’d be on fire, tackling my goals with enthusiasm.

But by the end of January, reality would set in. Work would get busy, motivation would waver, and life’s curveballs would send those lofty resolutions into the “maybe next year” pile. Sound familiar?

It took me years—and a lot of trial and error—to figure out why my resolutions never stuck. The turning point came one year when I was reflecting on some of my past achievements. I realized the successes that truly changed my life hadn’t happened overnight or through monumental effort. They were the result of small, consistent actions I took every day, even when I didn’t feel like it.

That year, I tried a different approach. Instead of writing a list of grand goals, I started with one resolution: to walk for 10 minutes every day. No gym membership, no intense workouts—just 10 minutes. At first, it felt insignificant. But as the weeks went by, those 10 minutes became 20, and then 30. Walking cleared my head, lifted my mood, and sparked creative ideas I hadn’t expected.

Next, I tackled my finances. I wanted to save a large amount, but I knew big numbers would overwhelm me. So, I started saving €5 a week. It seemed laughable at first, but as the months passed, the habit grew. Watching my savings account slowly grow gave me a sense of control and satisfaction that motivated me to keep going.

Of course, there were days I skipped a walk or forgot to save. The old me might have seen that as failure, but this time, I gave myself grace. I’d remind myself that one slip-up didn’t erase all my progress. I just picked up where I left off and kept going.

By the end of the year, I hadn’t just achieved those resolutions—I’d built habits that became part of my daily life. That’s when it clicked: resolutions aren’t about drastic changes. They’re about small, consistent actions that add up over time.

So, as you sit down to make your resolutions this year, I encourage you to start small. Be specific. Focus on one thing at a time. And above all, be kind to yourself when the road gets bumpy.

Because trust me, if I can turn my resolutions into realities, so can you.

Just Because I Give You Advice, Doesn’t Mean I’m Smarter Than You

Happy New Year, dear readers!

As we step into another year, I want to set the record straight about the intentions behind my articles. The advice and insights I share aren’t coming from some lofty pedestal of superior intelligence or perfect wisdom. Quite the opposite, in fact. The truth is simple: I’ve just made more mistakes than you—some of them pretty spectacular ones!

Life has a funny way of teaching us. For me, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. At times, the lows felt devastating, like I’d hit rock bottom and couldn’t possibly get up again. But as I look back, I realize those moments weren’t just hardships—they were lessons. Some, I’ll admit, were learned the hard way. And for the lessons I didn’t grasp the first time, well, life has its own way of repeating the curriculum until you pass.

The reason I write these articles isn’t to preach or to pretend I have all the answers. It’s to share the experiences I’ve lived through, the struggles I’ve faced, and the lessons I’ve learned. I know everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no substitute for personal experience. But I also know how comforting it can be to realize you’re not alone.

When you’re in the thick of a challenge, it helps to know that others have faced similar struggles—and come out stronger on the other side. That’s what I’m here for: to remind you that it’s okay to stumble, to fall, and to get back up again.

So as we embark on this new year together, I hope my stories and insights resonate with you, not as a guidebook, but as a fellow traveler sharing the map I’ve drawn from my own journey. Let’s navigate the twists and turns of life together, with hope, humor, and a whole lot of heart.

Here’s to learning, growing, and thriving in the year ahead!