Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.
—Chuck Close
What do you want to be good at?
Are you showing up and getting to work on it? Or are you waiting until you become inspired? Do you only work on these things when you feel motivated, or do you approach your work as a pro?
As for me, one thing I would like to be is a good photographer. But as I put together today’s photo essay, I realized that I haven’t been showing up and getting to work the way that I should be doing.
For example, I’ll always take my camera with me when I travel, but rarely around my hometown. I tell myself that it’s too boring around here, rather than forcing myself to become better at my craft regardless of the circumstances.
Perhaps you make excuses about needing the right environment or the right circumstances as well. I think we’ve all been there. The truth, of course, is that your circumstances rarely prevent you from making progress.
Here’s what I’m starting to realize: not every photo is a masterpiece, not every workout sets a personal record, and not every day is your best. But if you show up and get to work each day, then some of them will be.
The images below from Moscow aren’t my best, but they are a reminder that I need to continue showing up. As always, all photos are my own.
What do you want to become better at? Get to work on it. The inspiration can come later.
Moscow Photos
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by James Clear.)
Curves and lines. (Photo by James Clear.)
A door at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by James Clear.)
Lights glow on the Red Square in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by James Clear.)
An evening on Arbat Street. (Photo by James Clear.)
A drunk Russian dances to the music alone. (Photo by James Clear.)
Aloe Blacc performing in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by James Clear.)
Aloe Blacc performing in Moscow. (Photo by James Clear.)
Moscow Red in transit. (Photo by James Clear.)
The woman on the wall. (Photo by James Clear.)
Thank you for the photos from my home country. They are great in quality but quite usual from subject. I’d like to thank you much more for your words, they are reminding me to kill all the excuses in my head and to continue doing and I’m very curious about your hometown.
Regards from Hamburg, Germany.
Nadja
Nadja — thanks for reading. It’s great to have someone from Russia in our community!
Keep killing those excuses.
Loved the pictures… my fav — Moscow Red in transit, A door at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, An evening on Arbat Street…
Thanks Reema!
Thank you James Clear… The pictures are beautiful and the inspirational words are superb.
The photos you posted are amazing, I would love to visit Russia one day!
And even your words were inspiring! After having a very rough day, you question about what my inspiration was? It was really touching and something that I need to work on to make my life better with my son!
So Thank you!
Yours Truely,
Sonia Hunt from Texas
Sonia — thanks so much for sharing and I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos. I’m looking forward to sharing more in the future.
I’ll do my best to keep the good stuff coming your way.
You shoot beautiful photos. Keep going. AND you saw Aloe Blacc live — the song ‘green lights’ has a great message.
Finally, I wanted you to know I love this line:
Thank you for your post.
Thanks Stephanie! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. And you’re right, the Aloe Blacc concert was fun!
It’s great to have you in our little community here! I’m looking forward to sharing more photos and ideas with you soon.