I think what is really, really important to do (especially when you’re first starting out or haven’t developed full confidence in who you are and what you’re doing) is to not read others works who are similar to yours. Do not visit the web sites, do not read other writers or look at other photographers. Don’t focus on what others are doing, where they are or where you are with regards to them.

For me, I think a lot of my “success” and confidence came because when I first started, there weren’t a whole bunch of blogs on the market; there weren’t people like me writing about what I was doing or wanted to do so I didn’t have anyone to compare myself to. I didn’t know if I was good or bad, on the right track or wrong, if I was behind or ahead. And looking back, I see how valuable that was to me because really, there are no such things as those markers.

No one is 100% unique but everyone can be 100% authentic and I think that is the key. You need to do what you need to do. There are rules you have to follow if publishing is what you want to do so read books to familiarise yourself with that but don’t read what others are doing; you’ll naturally compare yourself which is unfair and has no meaning or validity because their circumstances are not yours and everyone does things differently and at different paces.

I think with so many blogs and web sites, it’s especially hard to not read or look at others works; it’s so easy to click a page and it almost becomes habit. But I think it can be dangerous at first.

Also what you said about the window of oppurtunity is really spot on and I think this is a very common feeling especially when you first start doing something. Like, if you lose momentum you will lose your creativity, your audience, your chance. Not so. The more confident you are in your work, the more relaxed you become about your work which actually, I think, gives you more oppurtunities because you can sit back and really develope your work instead of rushing to get it out before you lose your talent, miss a chance, have someone else beat you, etc. Sometimes you’re not ready for things to happen because they need time to develope, you need time. Its like two years ago I tried to write a book and my publisher said, “We’d like to buy it, but the idea needs to be formulated more. It feels like it’s in it’s infant stages.” And I thought “Oh no, but I have to have IT NOW!”

Two years later, I realise I could really only do that book now. I have a better view point, more experience and a better understanding of the book. If it had been published two years ago, honestly, I would have been embarrassed. I can do something much better and much more real now, because it’s coming straight from me and not what I think I should be.

I think you are authentic and real and you have to trust in that, which is sometimes hard and scary. But, just move forward as you no how to, with little regard for anyone else’s pace. Their shoes don’t take your steps.