Intentional Insights

August 18th, 2025

Hey Reader,
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Welcome to week 22 of Intentional Insights - it's good to have you here!
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If you're new, this is a weekly newsletter where I share one insight, one resource, and one action step to help you build a sustainable creative career.

And if you've been with me for a while, thanks for coming back each week, it means a lot!
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Let's dive in!

Insight

I just moved into a new house and while unpacking boxes I came across my old journals and notebooks.

It was like turning back the clock, bringing me right back to the moment I decided to give freelance photo and video a shot. My thoughts, fears, goals, and hopes were all laid out on those pages.

This was 2018/2019. I was mountain guiding in the summer and ski patrolling in the winter. It was a super fun, carefree, low responsibility time in my life, but I was barely making any money and getting burned out on living like a dirtbag to make it work.

I wanted to someday buy a house and not have to worry about money so much. That was never going to happen if I continued down the same path, relying on my body being healthy to make money. If you get hurt when you’re a guide, you just don’t work. Simple as that.

Looking back on my notes from that time, I was surprised how thorough I was when deciding what to do. There were deep dives into my motivations, lifestyle considerations, and pros and cons for each career option I was considering.

Ultimately I decided to give freelance photo/video a chance (which quickly transitioned into just video).

It was a terrifying decision at the time, but even back then I saw it was the clear choice. The benefits of it working out were huge: doing what I loved for work, freedom to be my own boss, direct control over earning potential. If it didn’t work out, I’d just be back where I started. Nothing lost except a little bit of time.

It’s crazy looking back on the goals I had: “make $1,000 per shoot,” “get paid to film in other countries,” “get into a film festival.” What I thought were end goals ended up just being the beginning.

Everything grows as you do. The goals, dreams, and abilities. You reach one summit, just to see it’s the foothills for the next.

But it’s also a great reminder of just how much you’ve accomplished. Anytime you’re down or don’t think you’re making progress, look back at where you were before.

Looking back on these notes, I’m grateful my earlier self took the time to write this all down. Not just for the nostalgia, but for the lessons I can bring forward into future decisions.

Resource

A journal or notebook or note taking app

Something simple to capture your thoughts, decisions, and what you’re learning. Doesn’t have to be fancy - just consistent. Your future self will thank you for the perspective.

Action Step

This week, spend 30 min - 1 hr reviewing notes:

If you already journal or take notes: Review older entries.

• What surprised you?
• What goals have you already surpassed?
• What lessons still apply?

If you don't journal or take notes: I'd suggest starting. It's such a good way to track progress, distill knowledge, and see how things change over time.

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Until next week,
Cobi
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