Dreams Start With Patience #10

Monk Mode;
“a mental state that allows the individual to assume control over his or her mental well-being and eventually augment his value in an attempt to revamp his life conditions”
-Some guy on Urban Dictionary

As humans, as individuals; we exist to survive.

Survival mode occurs when our stress responses are exaggerated over time.

Recessions, pandemics, non-stop 24/7 news coverage.

These are all examples of survival mode.

In order to create authentic art, we must be relaxed.

Enter: Monk Mode

Monk mode allows us to get rid of the distractions, the low-priority tasks and situations stealing our time and focus.

Using Monk Mode For Photography Purposes

Let’s break down a photography habit into the simplest cycle possible

Grab Camera—> Go For A Walk

Find Interesting Subject/Scene Press Shutter —> Check viewfinder

Satisfied?

Yes—> Go home to edit

No—> Continue walking and photograph until satisfied

Editing—> Tell a story
How?
-Color (split-toning)
-Composition
-Lighting
-Scene Layout
-Specific Crop
-Pair with other images

A leveled up approach?
Adobe Photoshop Generative Fill
(For Composites of course)

What Does Monk Mode Have To Do With Any Of This?

You see, photography is incredibly simple - as humans we love to complicate things unnecessarily

Monk Mode puts us into a state of sole focus on photography - nothing else.

Bill Gates is known for having a “think week” where he distances himself away from the world with books and paper.

Monk Mode - sole focus on photography, writing, and art ideation

Here’s my challenge to everyone reading this

If you are not where you want to be in your photography or self-development journey.

Choose to delay gratification in life.
Chase the higher forms of dopamine

Observe your habits:
-No processed sugar
-No unhealthy carbs
-No staying up late
-No television
-No social media
-No sex
-No alcohol
-No games
-No procrastination

Choose only your craft, when you run out of ideas.

Go for a walk or some form of cardio to refuel your mind

ACTION:
-2 Photo Walks per day

-3 Litres of water per day

-1 high-intensity workout

-Daily Journaling (for progress)

-Daily Reading (for ideation)

-Photography Study
(Gather a list of inspirational artists to study)

-5 Edited Photos every week of your best work

This is a 30 Day Challenge

Monk Mode Photography Challenge is what I’ll be calling it

Thanks for reading through!

If you want to support this newsletter or just myself in general - buy some art from my website!

Book a 1 on 1 session for creative business mentoring from me.

Your photographer friend who is constantly talking about self improvement
-Zachariah

TLDR;
Zachariah introduces the concept of "Monk Mode," a mental state that encourages focusing on high-priority tasks and eliminating distractions to enhance productivity and well-being. It discusses the application of Monk Mode in photography, encouraging individuals to simplify their process and concentrate solely on their craft. It suggests steps to follow, from taking a walk with a camera to editing and storytelling through various elements like color, composition, lighting, and scene layout.

Zachariah further emphasizes the importance of Monk Mode in making complex tasks, like photography, simple and focused. It mentions the practice of Bill Gates, who has a "think week" to focus on reading and ideation. The newsletter challenges its readers to adopt Monk Mode in their photography or self-development journey by removing distractions such as processed sugar, staying up late, television, social media, sex, alcohol, games, and procrastination.

Zachariah proposes a 30-day Monk Mode Photography Challenge, consisting of twice-daily photo walks, daily journaling, reading, studying inspirational photographers, and producing five edited photos every week. It also suggests maintaining physical health by drinking three liters of water per day, and doing one high-intensity workout.