are you a slasher?

Are you a slasher? No, I'm not talking about the guitarist from the 80's hair band Poison. I'm talking about people who have multiple careers, usually entrepreneurs, that create a new evolutionary model for work/life success. I learned about what a slasher is this morning while listening to one of the podcasts I subscribe to called Hip Tranquil Chick on my morning walk. Marci Alboher is a columnist and blogger for the New York Times small business section and speaks to people with multiple interests and as a result create a career around a variety of activities. Her blog can be found at Hey Marci where she speaks to making a living while wearing many different hats.

When teaching and speaking I find that many photographers are living the "Slash Effect," probably without realizing it. Many photographers I am friends with are also teachers, product developers and entrepreneurs. Starting out photographers might be working a full time job, while also building a photography business. I thought that Marci's blog and facebook group might be good for those who are pursing multiple careers as she addresses practical aspects to these situations such as finances and time management. Marci also provides examples of people who have many different interests and how they pull those interests together into an overlapping myriad of multiple careers.

Are you one person with multiple careers? What are the common threads between them? What else other than photography contributes to your income and time? If you answered yes to the first question, you are probably living the "Slash Effect" without even realizing it!

Comments

[katrina + andrew = sedona bride]

i thought ' Slash' was the goofy guitarist for ' Guns N Roses..?'

anyway, great tips! I'll have to check out the podcast, blog, and facebook group you mention... :)

~andrew~

[Anna Kuperberg]

Hi Laura, I am a slasher! One thing I have noticed is that successful people are not the ones who plan out a strict roadmap ahead of them, but rather take advantage of unexpected opportunities as they show up, and adapt to them. Successful people are willing to try something new and possibly fail at it. Doing several things at once makes this easier. Changes in technology and in the market happen so quickly, the best thing you can do is be flexible and innovative, making lots of "starts" at new things, even failing at some in order to succeed at others. After a lot of practice, you will start to see new possibilities where others don't!

Anna Kuperberg

[Jeff Mason]

Oh, my gosh...you mean I'm not alone! As a software consultant/photographer I often feel overwhelmed and continually juggling responsibilities yet not willing to leave one for the other. Thank you for letting us know about slashers. I'm going join the facebook group right now! Thanks, Laura

[Rachel LaCour Niesen]

Thanks for turning me on to the Hip Tranquil Chick :)
Fantastic insight for those of us who are self-proclaimed 'slashers!'

Rachel