I hope that you’ve been having a great few weeks. It’s always interesting forcing myself to write these newsletters because I constantly have to be thinking about what to write on. And while this is based on the fact that I believe everyone is a creative in their own way, I also believe that the things I write on these posts are hopefully able to apply into most people’s lives.
If there’s something that you’d want to know more from me and any questions, please feel free to reach out. In the meantime, if you wouldn’t mind sharing this with just one person it always appreciated.
I recently returned from a very disorganized shoot for a client in Dallas. While it wasn’t as polished as I would’ve liked, we still managed to capture more than enough content. In the end, I think the client will be happy with the final edits. If they’re not, we’ll do our best to ask for feedback on how we can improve. That said, many of the hiccups stemmed from their lack of preparation for the shoot on their property.
At the end of the day, the issues were entirely out of our control. The only thing we could control was how we responded and showed up. Instead of assuming it was going to be a disaster, I chose to keep things light-hearted. Rather than dwelling on what could go wrong, I focused on making the best of the situation with what we had.
On the brighter side, my video production company has been keeping busy. I recently spent a lot of time working on a story-driven promotional video for BODI, a community-focused gym in Scottsdale. We delivered the film to them, and they loved it. They shared it with their audience, and it received great feedback from a lot of people. We’re continuing the relationship with them to potentially produce another video in 2025.
In everything I pursue, I try to be honest and realistic with others, without harboring resentment. Lately, I’ve realized that running a business with others is a whole different challenge. To make progress, the principles are the same. The only thing to do if you want things to run is to do the work and take action. That’s it.
When it feels like your business partners aren’t showing up with the same effort, things can quickly go south. I’ve learned that this usually comes down to me losing perspective or assuming the worst. But there’s also honesty to it, especially if it’s a feeling that’s brought up constantly. Listen to that. The best way to navigate these feelings? Communicate.
This is something I personally try to do, I don’t want bitterness or resentment creeping into my relationships. With confrontation, I believe there’s a way to approach it gracefully but directly. Last week, we had a meeting and I had an honest conversation with my business partners about some concerns and my position. They’ve since been putting more effort into outreach and keeping things moving. More importantly, they understood my perspective and where I was coming from.
I respect them, and I know they’re going to do their best. That’s all I’m trying to do too. We keep moving forward, in every situation.
This brings me to today’s main topic -
Making assumptions can be a killer.
Making assumptions can harm friendships, relationships, and professional connections because assumptions often lead to misunderstandings, unmet expectations, and unnecessary conflicts. Here’s why -
1. Miscommunication and Misunderstanding
When you make assumptions, you operate on incomplete or incorrect information. This can lead to actions or reactions that don’t align with the other person’s perspective or intentions. In personal relationships, this might mean assuming someone is upset with you without asking for clarification, leading to distance or resentment. In professional settings, assuming you understand a client’s needs or a colleague’s intentions without proper communication can result in mistakes and frustration.
2. Erosion of Trust
Assumptions often replace genuine dialogue, and when people feel unheard or misunderstood, trust begins to erode. For example, if you assume a friend will always be available when you need them without checking in, it can strain the relationship. In the workplace, assuming someone will deliver on a task without clearly defining roles or expectations can damage trust when things don’t go as planned.
3. Missed Opportunities for Growth
Assumptions can prevent deeper understanding and connection. By not asking questions or seeking clarity, you miss opportunities to learn about others’ feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This can hinder personal growth and limit your ability to build meaningful relationships.
4. Conflict and Emotional Distance
Assumptions often lead to false narratives. For instance, if you assume a partner’s lack of communication means they don’t care, you may react defensively, creating conflict that could have been avoided through open conversation. Similarly, in professional relationships, assuming the worst about a colleague’s intentions can lead to unnecessary tensions and strained teamwork.
How to Avoid Assumptions
• Reflect on Biases: Recognize when your own insecurities or past experiences might be influencing your assumptions.
• Communicate Openly: Ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions. Clarify expectations, intentions, and feelings.
• Practice Empathy: Try to understand the other person’s perspective without making judgments.
• Seek Feedback: Regularly check in with others to ensure you’re on the same page.
On a more personal note
This part isn’t as structured but now that we’ve gone through the practical stuff, as I write this, I would lie to say that life is easy and clean. I don’t believe that. I believe that life will have its hard moments and people will make assumptions about you. They’ll make assumptions about me.
The struggle is real. And that’s apart of the journey of life.
In my video business, this last week we’ve gotten 5 different no’s and passes on potential projects. We have other potential leads in sight with some prospects but as I write this, we haven’t found anyone who wants to pay the full price for a short doc. I don’t even know the number of people that have ghosted us or haven’t responded back. It’s a lot.
I just turned 26 and would be lying if I didn’t say that I have moments where I struggle with being content on my own and without a partner. However, there are also plenty of days where I feel great and happy on my own.
I also deal with doubt. I get imposter syndrome a lot of times whenever I step up to take on a project that I don’t think I’m qualified for. But on the flip side, I know that I can do it and the only thing to do is take action.
You either fail or win. Either way, you’re learning… So that’s always a win.
Not a lot of people are really aware of what truly goes on in my life and in my head and I shouldn’t assume that I know someone else based off a quick snapshot of them.
I try my best not to just assume things and try to be as open as I can be but that’s easier said than done. It’s easier to write in good grammar about this stuff and a lot harder to actually live it out. So I’ll leave you with this -
Life isn’t a clear path. It has ups and downs. Each up and down shapes us, revealing who we are and who we can become. The unpredictability of life teaches us to embrace uncertainty and perspective in the end is all that matters. I do wrestle with certain things like everyone else, but that doesn’t mean those things are true. I have a say in my perspective and recognize the truth in my faith and in myself. When all is said and done, I’m still unbelievably blessed.
We’ve got this. Let’s make sure to be intentional with our perspective because from that, is what we are. You have more capacity to you than you know.
As always, have a great day.
Best,
Blake