Carrie Estok

what time is it? it’s inventory time.

I took this photo on my most recent trip to LA a few weeks ago. My obsession with taking pictures is at an all-time high, and now my trusty camera goes wherever I go. This isn’t so good for my back (it feels like I’m smuggling a newborn in my bag) but it’s great for my imagination and my spirit. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I want in my life, which then leads me to making decisions about what I need to get rid of. Here are a few things I’ve come up with…

I want…
…to spend more time with my family and be more present instead of thinking about my to-do list.
…my work to be challenging and inspiring, and I want to work with people who are passionate and honest.
…to devote more time to nurturing my creativity, like taking photos and working on my screenplay.
…to exist with integrity and passion and leave my fingerprint on something amazing.

I don’t want…
…to take on work just for the paycheck (because I always regret it and it’s about time I learned that).
…to smile and nod when I really want to scream and shout.
…to try to be everyone’s best friend (wish I had realized that back in high school).
…to surround myself with people I don’t respect and situations that don’t make sense for me.

This is my personal inventory. My “taking out of the trash,” if you will. It keeps me honest. Keeps me on my toes, and, in the words of the great Casey Kasem, reaching for the stars. Whether you’re a bartender, artist, stay at home mom, entrepreneur or President of the United States, taking inventory of yourself and your goals is a pretty nifty thing to do. You don’t have to share it with the world (only nerds like me do stuff like that); you just have to be willing to tell the truth to yourself. Scary, yes, but most of the things that are worthwhile are, right?

Maybe you’ll find that you’re right on track and you should stay the course. If that’s the case, mazel tov! You’re ahead of most of us. But maybe you’ll discover that somewhere along the way, your priorities got a little out of whack. No biggie. Just figure out what you need to do to get back in the game. Your customers will thank you. Your family and friends will thank you. And most of all, you’ll have spent a little quality time trying to reduce all that bad mojo out in the world. And for that, I thank you.

tags: Los Angeles, personal inventory, Photos