h my mercy... running a business is SO much work. When I stepped out in faith and finally quit my previous job... I never expected to work even harder -- I thought I'd simply be doing something that I love... It'd be 'easy' - that's what I thought.  
 
Now that I've been in this industry for five years (being absolutely terrible the first 4 years and 364 days -ha) -- the BEST thing I've ever done for my business... was believe in it... especially when I went full time. 
 
Believing in my business has encouraged me to continue my growth as an artist... without the confidence that one.day. I would finally 'get it' -- I would have given up years ago... I continue to take workshops - read books/articles and watch online tutorials.... because not 'changing' or 'growing' in this industry means you've failed. 
 
Believing in my business has also allowed me to invest in my business.... Without the confidence that I would one.day. make that 'money' back -- I would still be shooting with a point and shoot and not making any money. It took me a really long time, but building up professional quality gear has really helped the quality of my work. I'm not saying you can't be insanely talented with a point-and-shoot, but you can't really create professional quality with a point-and-shoot. (here comes the tomatoes) I also invested in my branding... packaging... and ultimately in myself. You know - it's always been easier for me to go and buy things for other people -- but buying for myself.. it feels so WEIRD! You know!?!? But I've learned to trust in my business.. and I know that whatever I invest in it - I'll see ten-fold (God willing). 
 
But how did I ever get to that point... of believing in myself?! 
 
You know, I ask myself this almost every day. 
 
When I look back over the last five years -- for the first couple of years, all I see is a struggling artist who wanted to give up... I truly don't feel like I ever 100% believed in myself back then... but you know what -- it didn't take 100% confidence.. even just 1% of confidence on a good day -- got me through the rest of those tough days...  
 
So the best thing I've ever done for my business... believe in it -- even if at first, it was just a small glimmer of hope. 
 
If you don't believe in yourself.. in whatever it is you're trying to accomplish -- you won't make it. 
 
The belief or the doubts of others -- shouldn't define where you'll go... So if you have 900 people telling you you'll fail -- but you still have that belief you won't... I'll take those odds any day.... And sure - it's nice to have a big support system, I think that helps... but even then - without your OWN belief, you won't make it. 
 
No matter where you're at -- what you're doing... if it's in your heart.. and if you're being lead to do it -- then do it.. no more doubting yourself.