How many of us get sweaty palms, stomach churning, and anxiety pains when we are going out to meet a potential client for the first time?
It can be a real cause for high blood pressure and stress.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
At all.
I think a lot of it can be controlled by understanding how important gratitude is within our lives and social reactions.
Gratitude is energy. Energy is light. Energy is fuel.
Being grateful – really grateful, not platitudinal barf – helps us channel energy in different directions, and can have a great and positive influence on our real world. *
Acting with gratitude can change the dynamic of almost ever encounter.
Let’s examine what is usually the problem:
1. We fear they will reject us, and we will not get the job.
True. We may not get the job.
But we should be grateful for the opportunity to pitch it. how many people will get a chance to pitch a shoot to that ad agency? How many people are able to pursue their vision in a way that allows them the opportunity to even make the presentation?
2. We fear they won’t like us.
True. But guess what? You may not like them either.
And that may cause them some stress as well. Being grateful for the opportunity of meeting someone who works in the same part of the industry is what you should think about. How many others never get this chance? How many of them are so fearful they are still manifesting in that cubicle every morning at 9 to begin the daily reports… arghh.
3. We fear it will be a waste of time.
True. But every single TV show or movie is a waste of time. Other than mild amusement we GET nothing from them that will raise our reality. We waste a lot of time doing things that give us nothing, and this meeting may – just may, lead to something far grander.
4. We will be disappointed.
True. But that old saying about sucking it up, buttercup is very applicable.
We may very well be disappointed…IF we have EXPECTATIONS that are not in line with reality.
Alongside the response I would normally give which would run along the lines of ‘welcome to life’ I would then point out that it was YOUR expectation that was not met. You have no idea what their expectations were. And if you did, you may react differently.
Not getting hired is not an indictment against you, your work, or your presentation.
You are the one that sees it that way. They may see it as a great opportunity to work with you when THE RIGHT GIG COMES ALONG.
So here’s a plan:
On the way to the meeting self-talk yourself into believing you already have the job. You are definitely the photographer they should be using. You know it. They know it. And just be grateful that you ARE a photographer going to a meeting to show other creative people what you do.
Seriously… how goddam cool is THAT?
Get that expectation of GETTING something out of the way now. You already got it.
Then:
1. Be grateful. Grateful that you are in a creative business. Grateful that you have enough guts to get off the couch and go meet someone. Grateful that you have busted your ass over your portfolio. Grateful that you are making progress. Grateful that you have an opportunity to live a creative life.
2. Expect nothing. Just treat it as a meet and greet. Expect only to meet someone else creative and have a brief conversation about creative things. If you have an opportunity to show the work you are so proud of, be grateful for that opportunity and blow them away with your presentation.
3. Channel disappointment into a win by realizing that you won by simply showing your work. Getting a job is second, or third, on the list. You met some people, got to discuss your work with others who are interested, and spent a few minutes at the center of attention.
Once you are finished with the meeting make some notes and plan the next.
Gratefully.
(* Look, I am about as woo-woo as a chainsaw, but understanding the way our brains use the energy around and in us is really based in science.)