Setting ambitious goals in photography requires more than just dreaming - it demands consistent, deliberate action to transform those aspirations into reality. Whether you're looking to start a wedding photography business or launch a creative project, understanding how to effectively bridge the gap between vision and execution can make all the difference in your success.
Coming to you from Luke Cleland, this insightful video explores how to move beyond the dreaming phase and into meaningful action. Through his experience building a wedding photography business and YouTube channel, Cleland discovered that many of his supposedly brilliant ideas weren't as great as imagined, while some seemingly modest concepts yielded unexpected success. He emphasizes the importance of walking rather than running — a steady, sustainable approach that prevents burnout and allows for genuine progress. When Cleland first began pursuing his goals, he felt pressured to sprint toward them, thinking he needed to make up for lost time. This mindset, he learned, often leads to exhaustion and abandonment of otherwise viable projects.
The distinction between trying ideas versus doing them marks a crucial shift in mindset. Cleland notes that when you're "doing" an idea, you often become too attached to your original vision, making it difficult to adapt when reality doesn't match your expectations. Instead, approaching your goals as experiments allows you to remain flexible and learn from the process. He found his most significant breakthroughs came not from perfectly executed plans, but from remaining open to unexpected developments and adjusting his approach accordingly.
Cleland shares his personal discovery about optimal working patterns, finding that six to seven hours of focused work yields better long-term results than pushing beyond his limits. He challenges the popular "hustle culture" narrative that promotes constant grinding. Instead of attempting to work 12+ hours daily, he advocates for finding your sustainable sweet spot — the amount of consistent effort you can maintain indefinitely without burning out. This approach has allowed him to build his business steadily while maintaining the energy and creativity needed for long-term success. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Cleland.
