In this episode, Heather breaks down the real difference between feeling motivated and unmotivated—and why it's almost never about laziness, discipline, or willpower. She shares a personal experience of feeling stuck and low-energy, what actually caused it, and the simple but powerful shift that brought my motivation back.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Lack of motivation is almost never about laziness.
  It's usually a sign that belief has eroded, not that something is wrong with you.

• When you don't believe something will work, your brain won't take action.
  Motivation disappears when your dominant thought becomes "what's the point?"

• Hopelessness kills momentum faster than anything else.
  When belief drops, procrastination and avoidance naturally follow.

• Motivation is a feeling created by your thoughts.
  Change the thought, and the energy comes back.

• Hope leads to clarity, clarity leads to action, and action creates momentum.
  You don't need a new strategy—you need a new belief.

• You can manufacture motivation on purpose.
  It starts by questioning the thought that's keeping you stuck and choosing one that creates curiosity and possibility instead.

This episode explains why hopelessness shuts it down so quickly, and how one simple thought shift can restore clarity, momentum, and excitement—without changing your strategy, schedule, or to-do list.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode, Heather breaks down one of the biggest causes of stress and burnout for photographers: measuring success solely by clients and revenue. She explains why this mindset keeps you stuck in anxiety and dissatisfaction—and how to break free from it.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Revenue is not the only measure of success. When you tie your confidence and happiness to numbers alone, your emotions rise and fall with every booking, inquiry, or slow season.

• Happiness becomes conditional when you chase milestones. Many photographers believe they'll feel better once they hit the next goal, but that mindset only postpones satisfaction.

• Growth doesn't require dissatisfaction. Just like an oak tree grows without criticizing itself for not being fully grown, you can appreciate where you are and still desire to grow.

• Comparison is helpful only when applied narrowly. Comparing tactics and skills can help you improve—but comparing big outcomes like revenue or success steals joy.

• The process matters more than the milestone. Falling in love with the process allows you to feel fulfilled along the way while still moving forward toward your goals.

This episode is a reminder that you're not behind—you're in the middle of becoming, and that's exactly where growth happens.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Click here to join us in Elevate, it's the last chance to ever get in at our current pricing. It will never be this inexpensive again and you will be grandfathered for as long as you stay.

In this energizing New Year's episode, Heather and Nicole kick off the season with bold updates from Elevate, including a brand-new guided curriculum and a daily private podcast to help photographers stay inspired and focused. They dive into the power of belief, consistency, and building confidence by staying close to positive influence. If you've ever doubted yourself or needed a simple framework for success, this episode is your sign to lean into proximity and possibility.

Key Takeaways:

• A new guided Elevate curriculum makes it easier for photographers to grow with as little as one hour per week.

• Launch of Elevate Daily, a private podcast with 1–5 minute mindset shifts and inspiration to stay aligned.

• The concept of "proximity to belief" can dramatically improve confidence and outcomes.

• Members are already reporting major sales wins by shifting how they think, including $5,000+ weeks.

• Your belief system fuels your success—and if you don't yet have belief, you can borrow it from someone who does.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this thought-provoking episode, Heather explores the illusion of "getting there" — whether it's hitting a revenue goal, reaching a target weight, or achieving a dream — and why those feelings of success often fall flat. Using The Alchemist as a metaphor, she challenges listeners to uncover the treasure already within and shift their mindset from chasing outcomes to cultivating intentional thoughts now.

Key Takeaways:

• The feelings you're chasing (security, freedom, confidence) are created by your thoughts, not your circumstances.

• Reaching a goal may only bring momentary satisfaction unless your mindset has evolved.

• True transformation is in becoming the person who can see and experience the treasure already inside them.

• "There" is often no better than "here" unless your thinking changes.

• You can feel successful now — no need to wait.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode, Heather sits down with Karly, a pet and equine photographer who is in the early but powerful stages of building a profitable photography business. Karly shares what it looks like to invest deeply in your growth before the income catches up, how surrounding yourself with the right people can completely change what you believe is possible, and why visibility—especially when it feels uncomfortable—can be the very thing that accelerates momentum. This conversation is an honest look at belief, confidence, and the internal shifts that happen long before external success shows up.

1. Growth Often Comes Before the Money
Karly shares what it looks like to invest in your growth—education, retreats, and support—before the income shows up. Even though she's still in the red, she has complete belief that the results will come, and that belief is what keeps her moving forward instead of quitting.

2. Proximity Expands Belief and Possibility
Being in rooms with successful, supportive photographers changed Karly's vision of what was possible for her business. Seeing others at different stages helped her move from "maybe someday" to "I can do this too."

3. Visibility Is the Catalyst for Momentum
As a self-described "world-class hider," Karly joined Elevate because visibility felt uncomfortable—and therefore necessary. She realized that taking action, showing up, and allowing herself to be seen was the missing piece between learning and actually building momentum.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode, Heather sits down with photographer Michelle, who shares the story of how she transformed a creative idea into a high-impact project that raised over $10,000 for a local dog rescue — while also generating visibility and momentum for her business. Through a breed-specific book project featuring dachshunds, Michelle not only gave her audience a meaningful reason to book sessions, but also built brand awareness, formed strategic partnerships, and expanded into a completely new niche.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Book Project Strategy
   A book project gives clients a tangible reason to book — especially in niches like pet photography where there's no built-in milestone. It combines storytelling, imagery, and charity into a powerful offer.

2. Partnerships That Create Leverage
   By collaborating with the Detroit Dachshund Club and a rescue organization, Michelle tapped into a new audience, expanded her reach, and created built-in credibility for her project.

3. Creative Fundraising That Fuels Marketing
   A "cover contest" encouraged participants to raise funds for a chance to be featured on the book's cover — turning the project into a community-driven initiative that sparked donations and increased exposure.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

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Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

In this inspiring episode, Heather chats with Susie, a pet photographer and Elevate student, about her recent experience at CatFest, where she faced disappointing results—but didn't let that stop her momentum. Learn how Susie reframed a perceived "failure," found power in persistence, and embraced the long game of business building with resilience and optimism.

Key Takeaways:

• A slow sales day doesn't define your worth or future success.

• Reframing setbacks helps you stay emotionally grounded and focused.

• Building a business is a long game—progress counts, even in small steps.

• Confidence grows when you take action despite rejection.

• Marketing is never "one and done"—keep showing up and experimenting.

How to Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review.

• If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people.

Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com

Connect:

Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram