10 Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn About Your Photography Business From Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter known for his emotional honesty and bold colors. He lived through periods of painful anxiety and mental illness, and died of a gunshot wound at 37. He did not begin to paint until his late twenties, and in just over a decade produced more than 2,100 works of art. Though few knew of his work while he was alive, he has since gone down in history as one of the most recognized names in the art world.

One of the great things about looking back at Van Gogh’s life is how he truly thought about the world. When you look at his views and how he thought and looked at the world, there are many things you can take into your own life today and use to help propel you forward.

1. Dare To Dream

“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.”

What are your dreams? What have you always wanted to do? Instead of holding them in as dreams, make them a reality.

2. Never Hold Back

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

If something is destined to be great, it must be completed. No matter what your dreams and goals are, fear should never hold you back. Move forward no matter what the dangers – it’s the only way you’ll succeed.

3. Our Own Doubts Are Our Greatest Motivators

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”

Our own internal voices are probably the most detrimental to our future success. There is always an internal voice that doesn’t like change; that wants nothing to do with change. Yet if you silence that voice and do it anyway, you’ll love the end results. [Read more…]