The myth of the overnight success is deeply embedded in American culture. Unfortunately, it’s just that. A myth.

This is borne out in the research that Napoleon Hill did for his book Think and Grow Rich; George Leonard makes the same point in a different way in his book Mastery; Malcom Gladwell gives several examples of classic “success stories” - and the backstories behind them - in this talk to AIGA.

So, if “overnight success” is a myth, where does success come from?

In short, it comes from that silly little saying we all heard as children: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” It comes from trial and error. It comes from failing over and over and over again, from finding all the ways that don’t work (e.g. Thomas Edison’s 10,000 ways to not make a working light bulb) until the way that works is found. It comes from practice, practice, practice.

It comes from being so dedicated to your craft that you’re willing to spend 4 hours a day for ten years practicing and honing and perfecting it.

Success comes from perseverance. It comes from being willing to wait, and let the creative process work. It comes from being willing to defer gratification.

Perhaps that’s why it is so rare in today’s right-now, microwave-is-too-slow, instant-everything world.

The holiday season is approaching quickly. Halloween is a little over a week away, followed quickly by Thanksgiving, and then (GASP!) Christmas. My how time flies. Seems like only a year ago that we were doing all this … ;P

Just a quick reminder and heads-up for those interested in having me make portraits to give as Christmas gifts, the photographic session needs to be scheduled before Thanksgiving so that I can deliver finished photographs in time. That’s a whole whopping 38 days. (YIKES!)

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A lot, I think - just like they can teach us a lot about life, if we’ll just pay attention.

Melissa Cassera makes some interesting observations about some of the things we used to know as kids, and have forgotten as we “grew up”:

Why You Should Act Like a Kid When Running Your Business

Reading Melissa’s remarks made me realize something I hadn’t thought of before — that one of the reasons I love what I do, is that I treat it as play, as much as I treat it as work.

I recently had the pleasure of working with a wonderful family that fully embodies the zest for life that draws me to my work.

These two girls are full of energy

curiosity

and a playful joie de vivre that brings a smile to my face and contentment to my heart

People like this are why I so love what I do.

Thank you so much for being who you are, and for sharing it with my camera and me.

(Thanks also to Adam Flaherty, who filmed and produced this cool video of our time together.)

As the new school year gets into full swing, the thoughts of many of my friends, neighbors and clients shift out of summer mode, and into thoughts about how to get the kids to school, make sure their homework gets done, balancing after-school activities, playtime, TV, videogames, and all the other things that modern parents have to deal with.

President Obama recently proposed some changes he would make to the government’s school program.

Sara Bennett, a mother, professional educator, and author of The Case Against Homework presents her thoughts on the matter.

Some exerpts:

For their physical well being and their mental health, students need fewer worksheets, less time sitting at a desk, and more time actively solving problems and exploring.

What are the costs of all of this extra time? …
When will teachers find the time for the many learning opportunities (continuing education hours) that we expect them to achieve? …
How shall families carve out family time with their children with less and less flexibility? If we value the family, shouldn’t we protect family time?

I care about learning: I have three young sons in school and I am an educator. It is clear to me that learning does not only happen at school. Some of the most salient learning experiences come through exploration and adventure.

I wholeheartedly agree.