Settings Goals & Reaching Milestones | Brian Rodgers Jr. South Bend Commercial Photography | Digital Art That Rocks LLC

This past year has been a crazy one. A lot of great things have happened. And rightfully so. I have found that when you set goals for yourself, and you actually put them down on paper (or in Evernote), you are more likely to accomplish them. I know, it’s hard to believe (sarcasm), but there are only a small amount of people who actually do this. It’s great to have goals. It’s even better to write those goals down and stick to them. I promise you, it will make a difference! 

It’s easy to forget what you've accomplished over the course of a year. That’s why I have a notebook in Evernote that is specifically dedicated to keeping track of milestones throughout the year. It’s a pretty simple idea really, but it allows you to reflect on your accomplishments at year’s end. I simply make a quick bullet pointed list for each month of the year. Anytime something note worthy happens, or a milestone is reached a new bullet point is added to that list for the month. 

Here are a few things that I was proud to accomplish this year:

  • Really pushed myself to create a better body of work this year

  • Won several contests

  • Won 4 Addy Awards for Commercial Photography: American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

  • My photography was selected as Image of the week twice by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals

  • I was asked to be a guest blogger for scottkelby.com. (Scott Kelby is the best selling photography and photoshop author for the past 10 years & is President & CEO of KelbyOne.) See my post here: http://scottkelby.com/2014/its-guest-blog-wednesday-featuring-brian-rodgers-jr/

  • My work was featured on popular web show The Grid-The Path to Inspiration Episode 142 for My ford focus time lapse (I'm referenced at about 34:20 & 1:03:15) http://goo.gl/05PHg6

  • Became a member of the American Society of Media Photographers

  • Started Digital Art That Rocks LLC - Commercial Photography Studio

  • Created a Digital Art That Rocks Youtube Channel & posted my first youtube videos http://goo.gl/dF3sSN

  • Taught myself how to shoot and edit video

  • Taught myself how to fluidly use Adobe Premiere

  • Taught myself how to create animated display ads using Photoshop & After Effects

  • Created TV commercials that ran on air and corporate videos

  • My work was featured on the Photoshop Daily News

  • My work was featured on the KelbyOne Blog

 

Not all of the items listed were goals that I had written down. Some were just pleasant surprises. However, I can say that mostly everything I set out to do this year, I've accomplished. What are you goals for this upcoming year? Do you want to learn new skills? Further your career? Start a business? Donate to Charity? Run a marathon? Be a better person?

Even if it doesn’t seem like it sometimes, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. We are all living in "post industrial revolution," where anything is possible. Now more than ever, we have all have the resources the enrich the lives of others, whether that’s creating an amazing product and using Kickstarter to bring it to the market, through writing and distributing your own music, self publishing your own books, creating your own website, starting your own business and the list goes on. I encourage you to make 2015 your year!

Brian Rodgers Jr.

Brian Rodgers Jr. is a commercial advertising photographer based in South Bend Indiana. Brian has a wealth of commercial photography experience photographing everything from commercial portraits, RVs, large commercial vehicles, product and food photography, to multi-million dollar mansions. Furthermore, he has created brand images for national companies and his work has been published in various national and international publications including Photoshop User Magazine, Dentaltown Magazine, Incisal Edge Magazine, and the popular web based show "Photography Tips & Tricks" produced by Kelby Media Group to name a few. Brian’s overall body of work demonstrates a real cultivation of skills behind the lens as well as a wide array of cutting edge post production techniques. He provides his clients with exceptional images and ensures customer satisfaction through his relentless work ethic. Brian is not just a photographer, he is an artist. Retouching his own work allows him to deliver a product that reflects his vision as an artist. And his clients are never disappointed in his abilities to produce consistent, compelling images. Fun Fact: He shot his own portrait