Life Is Like a Camera: A Lens for Personal + Professional Growth

We’ve all heard the saying: “Life is like a camera—focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t turn out, take another shot.”

It’s simple, but it’s also one of the best frameworks for how we grow—in business, in our careers, and in everyday life.

As someone who works closely with both professionals and young adults, I see these four principles come up again and again. They form the foundation of strong habits, meaningful progress, and sustainable success.

Here’s how I break them down:

1. Focus on What’s Important

In a world filled with noise, urgency, and constant distraction, clarity is one of the most powerful skills a person can have. Whether you’re a business owner juggling a dozen priorities or a young adult learning how to manage your day, the first step is always the same:

➡️ Identify what truly matters.

In my consulting work, we often start by simplifying systems, time blocking, and creating a structure that supports intentional focus. For young adults, this translates into building executive function skills—prioritizing, planning, and learning how to give their attention purposefully.

2. Capture the Good Times

Celebrating wins—big or small—is one of the most overlooked parts of productivity and growth.

Professionals often move from one task to the next without pausing to recognize progress. Young adults do the same as they race from classwork to jobs to responsibilities.

But those “good shots” matter. They build confidence, reinforce good habits, and remind us of how far we’ve come.

I encourage clients to pause and capture those wins:

✔ Breakthroughs

✔ Finished projects

✔ New habits

✔ Moments of clarity

✔ Personal milestones

They all count.

3. Develop From the Negatives

This is where real growth happens.

Just like film processing, our experiences—especially the challenging ones—shape us. A setback at work, a missed deadline, a tough conversation, a stressful semester… all of it is data.

The question is:

➡️ Do we sit in frustration? Or

➡️ Do we ask, “What is this teaching me?”

With both entrepreneurs and young adults, we break down the “negatives” and find the lesson:

• What needs to change?

• What system broke down?

• What habit isn’t working?

• What did stress reveal?

• What will you do differently next time?

Reflection is powerful—but only when paired with action.

4. If Things Don’t Turn Out, Take Another Shot

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. And progress requires permission to try again.

This is the heart of the work I do. Professionals often feel pressured to get everything right the first time. Young adults fear mistakes because they assume it means they’ve failed.

But the truth is:

Success is built on taking the next shot.

The next attempt.

The next idea.

The next step.

Every “retake” brings clarity, skill, and confidence.

A New Lens for the New Year

As we move into January, this is the mindset I’m encouraging my clients to carry with them—whether they’re growing a business, launching projects, or stepping into new adulthood.

In both my consulting work and my Adulting Essentials Mentoring Program, we use these principles to build:

✔ Strong time management

✔ Clear organization

✔ Healthy habits

✔ Better focus

✔ More confidence

✔ Real progress

If you’re looking for support—either professionally or personally—this may be the perfect time to adjust your focus, reset your approach, and start fresh.

📩 I’m currently opening additional January availability for both business consulting and young adult mentoring. If you or someone you know could benefit from structured support, let’s talk.

Because sometimes… all we need is the right lens, a little clarity, and the courage to take the shot.