Snapshot of Success

I met Elaine Nord at a parent program in Avon, CT where I was the keynote speaker talking with parents about how we can connect with our kids and help them reach their full potential. One of the insights that I shared with the parents was how important it is to tap into their children’s passion and to help them get clear and specific with their goals and dreams. I emphasized to them that this was not just a skill for their children, but for them as well. Elaine was one of the parent volunteers that helped me illustrate this point.

Elaine always wanted to be a professional sports photographer. Her first step in making this goal a reality was by creating a “Dream Board “ which included pictures of her photography and images that inspired her and reminded her of where she wanted to go. Elaine then began to really get clear and specific in her language about what she was going to do. She went from wanting to be a professional sports photographer to making the declaration, “I will be a professional sports photographer and have my work published in a newspaper within the next year.” She achieved that goal within 6 months and then continued to pursue her passion by taking photos at the NCAA Lacrosse Semi-Finals.

Elaine is someone who understands that by getting clarity on what she really wants is one of the keys to living her dreams. She made the decision to not just “hope” and “wish” which would get her lost into the “someday” world. A world where someday never comes and dreams get lost. Instead she has taken a dream, made it specific and taken powerful, consistent action.

Another part of her success is that she keeps moving forward. She entered her photos into a Juried Photography Show where she was selected to show and even sold one of her prints. She decided to further her education by attending the Photography at the Summit, Sports Photography Workshop in Colorado Springs, CO. It was there that she met incredibly talented people and had the opportunity to take photos of future Olympians at the Olympic Training Center. She had her portfolio reviewed by several professional photographers including those from Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press.

It’s people like Elaine that inspire me and are an example of what it takes to live an extraordinary life. Be passionate, get clear, take action, and keep moving forward.

I invite you to take a look at some of her work on her gallery.
Elaine Nord’s Photo Gallery

Tagged as: Dream a Reality, Dream Board, Elaine Nord, future Olympians, Goals, Juried Photography Show, live an extraordinary life, NCAA Lacrosse Semi-Finals, Olympic Training Center, passion, Professional Sports Photographer, Sports Photographer, Sports Photography Workshop, Summit, Tap Into Passion