Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 100 of 100

This is it! The final day of the 100 day stretch to test out a dream. Today I received a little surprise in my inbox: 2 opt-ins for a email list I’m trying to create to provide consulting advice for those seeking dreams of their own. It’s a project I’ve been working very hard to create. I’ve spent many weeks learning about the software needed to provide the marketing and auto-responses that are required in order run an effective career consulting business, and I’ve have many hiccups along the way (a lot of them technical glitches).

But today some positive results came in the form of those opt-ins. It doesn’t mean instant success, of course. I have many more weeks of testing ahead to see if I can get the system up and running to the point where I can have a paying customer base that will provide enough sales to justify the new business. But it’s a much needed positive start. I will work as hard as I can in the remaining time I’ve allotted to carry forward my own dreams.

It’s important to note that the work done on career consulting will pay dividends for the writing and photography dream because the software system can be easily converted to book or print sales. In other words, the opt-in emails of tomorrow will serve as a form of cross marketing, providing separate streams of income from customers that are treated well. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me to make this possible, but I know it can be accomplished if I remain open to new ideas and I continue to learn new techniques.

One thing is for certain: The decision to spend time and money on dream is the best decision one can make. Too often people only think of their dreams and never take the steps required to making them a reality. The dream remains just that–a dream. If I could give one piece of career advice to anyone it would be to stop making excuses for not going after their true goals. You can find the money. You can find the time. You can learn anything you need to learn to make that dream a success. It won’t be easy, perhaps, but it can be done if you commit yourself to it 100%.

And that, above all, is what these 100 days taught me.

Best to you and your dreams,

-Vincent Lowry

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 99 of 100

Nature is truly beautiful. It’s a joy using my camera to capture so many wonderful sites that are just a short drive away. Sometimes is the wide-angle landscape that catches my eye, with colors so rich I can almost feel the view as I stare at the sky and the endless horizon. Other times, it’s the single flower that speaks to me. The picture above sums up that shot perfectly well. I love the detail of the small things that often go unnoticed. It’s like an entire universe to itself–one of beauty of wonder.

Tomorrow will be the last day of my 100 day stretch to pursue my dream of become self sufficient financially through my writing and photography. While I’m going to extend this time frame–3 to 4 weeks were taken up with consulting–I’m a long way off I’m afraid from doing this fulltime. I still have hope, but something must happen soon to convince me that art is going to pay the bills. If it doesn’t, it’s back to finance and accounting.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 97 of 100

If you find peace in the work, that’s all you really need. Dedication can flow through that love, easing many of frustrations you are bound to experience with dealing with difficulties.  A friend of mine brought over The Shawshank Redemption not long ago. We watched it, and I commented to him how Andy was really Stephen King when you consider what Stephen went through to become a published author. The part of Andy mailing the letters to the state to receive more funds for the library project was, in a symbolic form, the same thing as Stephen sending in all his short stories to the magazine editors in the hope he’d receive a publication credit. Rejection was the norm. Week after week, month after month, both Andy and Stephen mailed without pause or hesitation. “They can’t ignore me forever,” said Andy in the film. And he was right. But it took 6 years for Andy to prove it, about the same amount to time it took Stephen King to make traction on his end for the stories.

It’s a perfect example of dedication. Had it taken 8 years, Andy and Stephen would have done it. 10, 20 years? Yup, likely so. Why? Because they were committed to their goal. For Andy, it was the love of creating a new library for the prison. For Stephen it was the love of writing and telling stories.

Yesterday I read an article that the Oak used in Shawshank Redemption had to be cut down because it had significant weather damage. That almighty Oak was truly beautiful. It’s the same tree where Red discovered Andy’s letter (and money), and Andy proved to Red that hope was a good thing…sometimes the best of things, and no good thing ever days.

You remember the name of the town, don’t you?

-Vincent Lowry  (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 89 of 100

I’ve seen a good deal of views and likes on my FB Constellation Chronicles page, and the funny thing about it is that I haven’t touched that page in years. Today I decided to try a boost advertisement for CC on FB to see if I can make enough sales to justify the ad cost.  The time frame is 2 days, so I’ll know by Wednesday if this makes sense or not.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 87 of 100

It’s Saturday, so I’m posting a picture that has a Saturday night feel to it. This photo was taken in Birmingham, Alabama, and I thought the building had some interesting designs to it. My only regret is I didn’t have more time in the city (and state) during my trip there.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 86 of 100

Some days don’t work out exactly as planned, but you have to make the most of it as best as you can. It’s easy to get frustrated and discouraged if you let it get to you. None of us know why it happens–bad luck, I suppose–but those days can be made into valuable learning lessons if you see them in that light.

The picture above was taken at Mono Lake, CA.  It’s a place that’s all about seeing the natural structures in the right light, at a proper distance. If you do, you come away with amazing shots to show to friends and family–or to just add to your portfolio of photos.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 84 of 100

Today’s picture was taken at Convict Lake about 6 months ago. The boardwalk went through the woods on the western side of the lake, and it offered great views every so often when looking east through window-like openings. It was a clear day during that photo, and the trip itself was beautiful.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 70 of 100

My bday is around the corner so I’ll soon be celebrating it with family and friends. It’s the big 40! Yikes! Haha. Well, on the positive side I’ve made it this far so as my dad would say it’s better than the alternative. Today’s picture was taken in Malibu on the beach. These lines in the sand stood out when I was taken pictures of the sunset, provide an interesting abstract design to them. I pointed my camera down and got what you see above.

I plan on doing some spring shooting soon so I can take advantage of all the flowers blooming in the fields.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard)

 

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 68 of 100

I created several YouTube videos today testing the Sony Alpha 7RII camera. The videos aren’t as sophisticated as many of the review videos I’ve seen, but I must say that a simple video sure shows a lot more to the audience than just writing about it. The first video was shot on the beach. The second one was done in my backyard. I think I’ll take another trip to the beach again tomorrow to get a better shot (the coast was foggy today), and then I will go to the mountains.

Here is the first beach video: https://youtu.be/PihpdXqSklU

-Vincent Lowry 

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 66 of 100

I created a video today for American Vineyard. I know I have a lot to learn in terms of the technical details of video making (lighting, sound, etc), but I also know my videos really don’t need to be all that fancy. I just need to tell my audience about the book, say a few words about what they will get out of it, and then let them know where to find it. I’ve seen a lot of fancy videos out there on YouTube for books (some of them costing thousands of dollars, I’m sure), and I’m not certain those authors are getting their money’s worth. Some might be. Most, I’m guessing, are not.

So my low cost video is up. I will likely do more videos because it’s a great way to generate content for the various projects I’m always working on.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)