Ways to be miserable as a photographer:

• Compare yourself to other artists.

• Take every job that comes your way.

• Dwell on the job that got away.

• Don’t rock the boat.

• You’re only as good as your gear.

• Photography is first and foremost a business.

• Let commercial viability dictate your actions.

• Follow the trends.

• Follow the money.

• Do what you do best and stick to it.

• Your portfolio is about your past.

• If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.

• Stay focused. Daydreaming is for kids.

• Treat every job like your entire career depends on it.

I still get practicum students who are being taught to think this way in school.

(Adapted from Ten Ways to be Miserable as an Artist.)