Eyes Up, Do the Work
Eyes up, do the work – I have always loved this mantra since first hearing it many years ago working with the non-profit organization, Especially for Athletes. While our focus is on video production and marketing, their focus is on good sportsmanship and teaching kids how to responsibly enjoy the spotlight, but this motto can apply to anything.
Today, I’d like to keep this post short and motivational. Maybe it’s helpful to someone who reads it? Or maybe it’s just something I need to remind myself of time and time again?
A Rough Start
When Dan and I started this new partnership less than a year ago, I thought that it would be easy. We had both owned and operated our own video production companies for several years and things were going well. I assumed that by combining our powers, we would easily get twice as much done.
Under the new name, Stories With Purpose, we would be able to achieve all of the things that we could never do alone. Right?
I’ll admit, I was a bit naive to think that it would be so easy. We were basically starting over, building this company from the ground up. New company name. New website. New location. New clients. We had to reintroduce ourselves to the entire community.
After a few months, I questioned if I had made the right choice? Was it worth abandoning my own freelance company after building it up over the years?
I had to remind myself– Eyes up, do the work.
The one thing we didn’t have to start over with is experience. Both with many years of knowledge gained over 100’s of film shoots and client interactions. We’d also built many relationships with people inside and outside the film industry and are grateful for each of those experiences that have shaped us into who we are today.
This type of experience is not won easily. There are no shortcuts. There is no magic bullet. It can only be gained by doing the work, because you don’t know what you don’t know.
Nearly a year later, we’re in a much better place, one that you can only get to by maintaining focus and working hard. And believe me, it is hard work. It’s also important, which is why we’re so passionate about it. Important to us and to the success of our clients.
Now… We’re nowhere near our final destination, but our eyes are up and we’re doing the work as we blaze the path ahead.
