Episode 65 - You’re Doing Better Than You Think

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

I know it is hard to believe, but here we are.

October 26, 2026.

If you are listening to this podcast on the day it comes out, this is the last Monday of October.

The year has flown by.

And maybe you are beginning to look back at your year and wonder:

Why wasn’t it better?

Why didn’t I accomplish more?

Why am I not further along?

But here is the thing:

You are probably doing better than you think.

I know that may not be what your brain is telling you.

Your brain is probably keeping a very detailed list of everything you haven’t finished.

The project you haven’t started.

The email you haven’t sent.

The client you haven’t landed.

The money you haven’t made.

The thing you promised yourself back in January that you were finally going to do.

Our minds are very good at keeping track of what is missing.

They are not nearly as good at celebrating how far we have come.

So today, just for a moment, forget about everything you haven’t done.

Think about what you survived this year.

Think about what you learned.

Think about the days when you didn’t feel motivated, but you kept going anyway.

I have been there.

I have had those days too.

Think about the mistakes that taught you something.

Think about the people you met.

The things you created.

The chances you took.

And yes, even think about some of the things that didn’t work out.

Because sometimes the thing that didn’t work out was quietly pushing you toward something better.

Creative careers are funny that way.

We spend so much time waiting for the big breakthrough that we miss all the little breakthroughs happening around us.

A new idea.

A new connection.

A better question.

A little more courage.

A little less fear.

Sometimes progress does not look like fireworks.

Sometimes progress does not announce itself.

Sometimes it simply looks like getting out of bed and trying again.

And that counts.

So here is what I want you to do before October ends.

Take a moment and give yourself some credit.

Seriously.

You don’t need a trophy.

You don’t need applause.

You don’t even need anybody else to know.

Just stop for a moment and say:

You know what? I kept going.

And that is worth something.

And if October wasn’t your month, I have some good news.

November is coming.

And if November isn’t your month, December is right behind it.

Life keeps giving us another page.

So keep making things.

Keep laughing.

Keep experimenting.

Keep sending the email.

Keep taking the photograph.

Keep writing the song.

Keep painting.

Keep dancing.

Keep dreaming those ridiculous dreams.

And please, don’t wait until you feel completely ready.

Because nobody knows what they are doing all the time.

Some people are simply better at looking confident while they figure it out.

You do not have to have everything figured out to be headed in the right direction.

Let me say that again:

You do not have to have everything figured out to be headed in the right direction.

So before October ends, give yourself a little credit.

You are still here.

You are still creating.

You are still becoming.

And your story is not finished yet.

I’m Matthew Jordan Smith, and this is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast.

I’ll see you in November.

Until then, always dream big.

Bye for now.