Flaunt and Flourish

Clear goals enable👇🏻

💜 Better use of time

💜 Less inconsistency

💜 Results

Your goals align to your greater purpose.

Your greater purpose is your why.

Goals are at the heart of everything you do.

Tell me your primary goal.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

Consistency is a nemesis.

Business owners are swamped in messages about the importance of being consistent.

I had an interesting conversation with someone. I ended it by saying it was funny that I worked better when I wanted to do something.

if you’ve seen my past posts on procrastination - there’s a defunct course somewhere in my website - you’ll know that I’ve typically wasted lots of time.

Described often as a magpie, it’s very tricky to stay on track when lots of other things are fighting for your attention - and time.

I’ve decided to stop fighting it.

Being consistent for me is being true to who and how I am. Right now, this means truly going with the flow (the flow is towards a bigger goal - I am going somewhere.)

On a scale of 1-10, how consistent are you?

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

One of the routines I’ve successfully carved out is to sit in my other living room with a cup of tea, a non-fiction book and some sort of sweet treat - the sweet treats are getting smaller, less of them!

It’s sounds simple but it empowers me.

Making time for me gives me time out.

And yes, my phone is relegated to somewhere else - usually charging in the living room or abandoned on the kitchen table.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

What habits or routines have you developed to maximise your productivity?

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

I tend to want a nap somewhere between 1-4pm everyday.

Instead of napping, I use this time to walk, almost always on the beach.

I never plan my walks or the time. I simply know - if it isn’t raining or snowing - I go out.

Yes, there is irony in this post.

I live in Scotland. This year, sunshine has been far rarer than rain. But let’s pretend that everyday there is the opportunity to step outside for a pleasant rather than an arduous walk.

Obviously, if it’s raining between 1-4pm and the weather alleges it will dry up by 7pm, I wait until 7pm.

If I’m home.

When I’m not home “everyday” things are a little fluid…

You get my point though?

I make time for walks. I prioritise them - even if they are based around fickle weather.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

Have you bought your copy yet?

It’s only £1.99 for the Kindle version.

And look it’s number 1 in EVERY category - it only went on sale this morning! 🤩

Guess who has a chapter in this?

Yes! Me!

I am finally a published author 💃🕺

It still counts that’s it’s in a collaboration, right? 🥰

Something exciting is coming tomorrow! 😍📚

When was the last time you heard someone say they were time rich or felt lucky because they had the time to live?

If it hasn’t been in a while, that just changed.

In 2020, I learned and accepted what was really important to me.

Me. I was important to me.

I’ve spent my time since then, learning how to live differently.

Stepping away from teaching helped because it got me out of the frenetic cycle of mentally high intense days, exhausted evenings and continual countdown to the “relaxing” holidays.

When I moved to Girvan, my whole world changed.

Stepping away from similarly frantic environments (home, the city, art school) slowed everything down.

And this year, the slight release of financial pressure has softened my grip on time even more.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

The power to change your life is in your hands.

What potentiality are you delaying and why?

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

You know how they (who is they? I remember this from English classes and yet I still say it…)

I’ll start again.

If the best way to get better at something is to keep practising it correctly over and over again, why is it so hard to improve ineffective planning and prioritisation?

Because -

It doesn’t matter how often you do something. If you keep doing the same thing, you aren’t improving, you’re repeating. In other words, you’re wasting time.

Ps. “They” was Einstein - he is credited with the adage: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Do you suffer from Einstein’s insanity? I’m almost cured but it’s taking lots of personal development.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

“Procrastination is the thief of time."

– Edward Young

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

Time.

How do you feel about it?

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

Your online presence should emphasise why your audience should choose you over someone else.

Finding your why seems easy.

And at surface level it is.

But at surface level, it won’t be sustained; it won’t carry you through the lifespan of your goals.

Your why is your purpose.

Your why is what underpins the entire essence of your and every action you take.

Every decision you make should come from your why.

My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

Work with me to strengthen your identity and empower yourself to become who you truly are.

I’m going to teach you to find your why, to craft your story and work with you to unleash the real you into the world.

The first step is a conversation.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

You can book it here 👇🏻

https://www.flauntandflourish.co.uk/service-page/let-s-chat-1?referral=service_list_widget

“My own brain is to me the most unaccountable of machinery - always buzzing, humming, soaring roaring diving, and then buried in mud. And why? What's this passion for?”

- Virginia Woolf

Let’s Chat | Flaunt and Flourish Want to know if you could work with me? Choose the date and time for your call now. Clicking the link will take you straight to my calendar where you’ll simply select a date and time that suits. You won’t be asked for any payment details - you’re booking a free chat to tell me about your busin...

I think I forgot to tell you - or maybe I did in a rambling live last week?

Anyway, I’m about to be a published author!

I wrote a chapter for a book called, “Be Brand Rich.”

Being a writer is something I’ve always wanted to do and yet, the older I got, the less and less time I made for it. It feels good to have finally turned the tables on that, especially now I’m doing method writing classes and the idea of writing is gaining far more seriousness. By the end of the year, apparently, I’ll have a first draft written.

But back to “Be Brand Rich.” The aim of the book is to help you boost your brand, your business and your visibility. It’s packed with the experiences and expertise of 23 brand and visual content experts (including me!) and will help you to discover the tools and strategies to drive your business towards success and prosperity.

It launches on the 19th of August!

I’d love for you to join our launch group - it’ll give you a sneak peak of all the authors featured.

I’ve popped the link in the comments.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want."

– Bill Watterson

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

Last month, I joined the gym.

Full of promise, the plan was to go a few times week. Build up to a 10 mile a day cycle.

Over one month later and guess how many miles I’m cycling?

Exactly.

None. Zero.

Is the problem time?

No, because everyone makes time for what’s important.

I really have no excuses.

In the past, it was the drive to the gym. This one is less than a two minute walk.

In the past, I haven’t really needed it. I was on my feet lots, working lots, walking lots and my clothes fit me.

A few weeks ago at a networking event, the pressure around my stomach eased. Pale blue chinos are a purchase from many many years ago - Miss Selfridge ones and they were old before its closure. The button lay on the floor. The teapot, mug and oat milk balance precariously in my hands and I’m thankful that my oversized shirt (it’s “stylishly” so) isn’t tucked in. This isn’t the place or the gathering where having your trousers fall to your ankles would be well received - looks of horror would be sure to be contrasted with peals of laughter, humour laden offensive comments and silence caused by rolling tears. Inevitably, the silence would be shattered by a clanking tea pot, shattering of a mug and saucer as I tried to scrabble back to dignity. Instead, my shame was hidden and, for the first time that morning, I could breathe. My gut finally unrestricted. So, yeah. Not all of my clothes still fit me.

The problem isn’t really down to the excuses I have or don’t have; it’s about what motivates the use of time: scroll through social media for just another hour; make one cup of tea; read one more chapter; send messages to just three more people; write one paragraph; fix one page of the website; update those bios; print just one photograph; book that appointment; take that long walk on the beach…

If those simple actions we take, lead us to where we want to go, why don’t we make more time to achieve them?

That’s what we all want to know.

Before it’s too late.

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My why is your why.
I’m a teacher, a photographer and a storyteller.

I’d love to connect to talk about you. When is best for you?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is to say, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu

So...

My Google Business Profile - like with loads of photographers - was removed.

I tried to appeal the decision and messed something up, so I decided to start a new one instead.

I'm now appealing to the people who have used me for brand photography or headshots, to please leave me a Google review.

The link is in the comments 🙃

And this is why I love being a brand photographer ☺️📸

£222 for a brand shoot.

Perfect if you only have an hour.

How do you show what you do?

There's more to a brand shoot than a collection of pretty portraits.

I'm lucky.

I get to show my profession by visually sharing what I do -

✨ I take authentic photographs of people in business.

✨ I craft stories from conversations about you and your brand and your world.

✨ I focus on attracting you your ideal clients.

I love working with professionals who specialise in beauty.

How much more time do you need to accept it's time to save time on your marketing?

⚠️ Applications for just two more people are open ⚠️

Message me for the details 🥰

What? Wait...

It's Thursday? Evening?

Geez.

I like busy weeks - they make me feel wanted 🤣

But I feel like a headless chicken (what does that actually feel like though? Really 🤨)

That aside.

I finished photoshoot 3 of 3 this afternoon -

On Monday, I was photographing on behalf of SSERCofficial for the Young STEM Leader Programme and new Level 7 in King's Park Secondary School Glasgow.

Wednesday I got to play with langoustines and lobsters - they were the most fun 🤣 I now have a craving for some lobster 🦞 The shoot was for a fish supplier in Ayrshire - it was awesome to have a creative brand shoot closer to home 🏡

Then today, I was photographing the production and rehearsals of Calderhead High School's The Wizard of Oz which takes place tonight and tomorrow 🙂

Lots of fun.

Now I'm off to help people feel confident with their skin and others to save money 💰

📸👇🏻 Photos from the back of the camera 📸👇🏻

Brand photography doesn't just happen.

There has to be questions.

Answers.

Discussion.

And that's before you get to the visual stuff.

Establishing a solid foundation ensures that you get what you want, need and have paid for.

I offer Brand Insight separate from my brand photography packages - there are lots of awesome photographers but not all of them have the same brand expertise.

If you want to do the ground work before committing to your visual brand, this is perfect for you.

For three people I'm offering a 50% discount this week.

When is better for you - weekdays or weekends?

How often do you spend writing and rewriting the perfect copy?

How often do you spend searching for photos to use?

When you're ready to reduce those hours to practically zero, send me a message.