5 M's - Self Made

MHappy New Month! 🎯

Did you know there are 5 M’s you need to check and take control of?

1. MONEY 💰
Know where it comes from, where it goes, and what you’re building with it.

2. MONTHLY GOALS 🎯
Don’t just enter a new month enter it with something you intend to accomplish.

3. MOUTH 🗣️
What you say can build relationships, opportunities or destroy them. Think before you speak.

4. MOOD 🧠
You won't control everything that happens, but you can work on how you respond to it. Don't let a bad moment run your month.

5. MIND 🧠
Feed it with knowledge, ideas and positive challenges. What you repeatedly put into your mind eventually shapes your actions.

“A new month doesn't automatically create a new you. Change begins when you take control of what you can your money, goals, mouth, mood and mind.”
— Wilson Masaka
Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur

Do More. Be More. Be Different.
#SelfMade #SchoolOfThought #StreetSmart

ADVICE TO EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS

I AM_

Self Made Series/ Photography / Photographer
+throughMylens📸 

Here are a few lessons I would share with every emerging photographer:

1️⃣ Own your equipment.
As much as possible, invest in your own tools. Your camera and equipment are not just gadgets—they are part of your profession.

2️⃣ Negotiate the Terms of Reference (TOR).
Before you pick up your camera, be clear about what is expected: the assignment, deliverables, duration, usage of images, payment and timelines.

3️⃣ Don't work on the hope of better terms later.
If the terms don't make sense now, don't assume they will magically improve tomorrow. Agree on expectations from the beginning.

4️⃣ Keep your prospects open.
Don't tie yourself to one client or opportunity. Build relationships, explore different opportunities and remain open to working with multiple prospects.

5️⃣ Volunteering is good but define the boundaries.
Volunteering can help you gain experience, exposure and networks. But have a clear start and end date, scope of work and expectations. Don't let "volunteering" become an indefinite arrangement.

6️⃣ Stop giving away your work anyhow.
Taking a few photographs for free occasionally is okay. But free work should not become the norm. Your time, skills, equipment, transport and creativity all have value.

People naturally love free things. The challenge comes when you eventually decide to charge—because you may discover that those who were happy to receive your work for free aren't necessarily willing to pay even KSh 50.

Learn to create value. Learn to communicate your value. And, most importantly, learn to charge for it.

📸 Your camera may be the tool, but your skill, time and perspective are the real product.

— Wilson Masaka
Youth Advocate | Social Entrepreneur | Photographer
+throughMylens | https://wilsenx.blogspot.com

Self Made Series - 3 TYPES OF DREAMS

 I AM_

Self Made Series

#SchoolOfThought | #StreetSmart

DID YOU KNOW?

There Are Three Types of Dreams

Not every dream is at the same stage.

Some dreams belong to the past.

Some are alive in the present.

And some only show up when something triggers them.

So, where is your dream today?

Here we go. 👇🏾

1. THE DEAD DREAM 💭

This is a dream that no longer has space in your current reality.

The desire may still exist somewhere within you, but circumstances, time, changing priorities, opportunities or factors beyond your control may have made the dream unrealistic or impossible to pursue in its original form.

You may still love the idea of it, but continuing to chase it without reassessing your reality could turn the dream into a mission impossible.

Sometimes, personal discovery means having the courage to say:

“This was my dream then. It may not be my dream now.”

A dead dream doesn't mean you have failed.

It may simply mean it is time to discover a new dream.

2. THE AWAKENED DREAM 🔥

This is the dream that is alive and active in your present.

It is connected to what you currently love, what you are doing, what you are learning, what you desire and the possibilities you can see around you.

There are signs pointing towards the land of possibility.

But a dream alone is not enough.

It needs a system.

It needs consistency.

It needs learning.

It needs discipline.

It needs action.

This is your best bet for turning possibility into progress.

An awakened dream asks:

What can I do today to move one step closer to the future I see?

3. THE LUKEWARM DREAM 🌡️

This dream flickers for a moment.

Something happens.

You attend an inspiring event.

You hear someone's story.

You watch a video.

You meet someone successful.

You suddenly say:

“I want to do that!”

For a moment, the dream feels real.

Then the moment passes.

You return to your default settings.

The excitement disappears, and nothing concrete happens.

This is the lukewarm dream; many wishes, many hopes and many moments of inspiration, but little or no consistent action towards turning the dream into reality.

It isn't necessarily that the dream is bad.

The problem is that the dream has not yet been activated.

SO, WHERE IS YOUR DREAM?

Is it Dead?

Is it Awakened?

Or is it simply Lukewarm?

Personal discovery begins when you stop only asking:

“What is my dream?”

…and start asking:

“What am I doing about it?”

D.R.E.A.M.

D — Discover yourself, your interests, strengths and possibilities.

R — Reflect on where you are, where you have been and where you want to go.

E — Explore opportunities, ideas, skills and different pathways.

A — Act by turning intention into consistent action.

M — Master your craft through learning, practice, discipline and lifelong growth.

Because a dream becomes more meaningful when you understand yourself, explore possibilities, and take action.

NOW YOU KNOW.

Activate yourself.

Evaluate where your dream currently stands.

Then ask yourself:

What is one thing I can do today to move my dream from thought to action?

I AM_ Self Made Series

The Brand Called YOU.

Do More. Be More. Be Different.

#IAmSelfMade #SelfMadeSeries #SchoolOfThought #StreetSmart #PersonalDiscovery #Dreams #SelfAwareness #YouthDevelopment #LifeSkills #21stCenturySkills #LifeLongLearning #DoMoreBeMoreBeDifferent