This quote from Zig Ziglar is framed in my office.
I don't know if you're like me, but I'll admit to loving success, while struggling with the discipline required to prepare for that success.
Success
- exciting
- necessary
- builds on itself
- attracts others
- results driven
Preparation
- boring
- tedious
- necessary
- builds on itself
- habit forming
For the longest time (actually, since I moved to Tucson ten years ago,) I've wanted to photograph a lightning strike.
I've lived through the past nine monsoon seasons, admiring the fantastic lightning shows that the desert provides.
Each year I tell myself that I'm going to figure out how to photograph lightining.
Each year, I failed to follow through. I never took the time to figure out my camera or to plan a course of action.
The discipline of blogging for you on Active Rain changed that.
In order to make my posts visually appealing to you, I learned how to use my camera to best advantage. I learned to take action photos in series of three, with the camera doing the work.
Last night, one of the spectacular monsoon thunderstorms blew in from the southwest as I was closing up shop.
My Darlin' and I met for a mid-week dinner date, and by the time we were leaving, the storm was upon us. This year was different. I was prepared.
I drove to the top of Gates Pass, parked the car and began shooting pictures of the approaching storm.
Success! It wasn't hard. It just required a little preparation and follow- through.
Now if I can apply that same discipline to my business...
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.
Think of me as your local expert.
photos copyright Mike in Tucson
EDIT:
Digital Camera:
Panasonic DMC-TZ1 (Lumix)
Cost: $240.00 at Costco a year ago
Setup: Hand-held, no tripod
Conclusion: It doesn't take expensive equipment to do stuff like this!
Great, eerie pictures. Veronica
The right time the right equipment and being in the right place at the right time a great combination.
Awesome pictures! Man, I need a great camera but it obviously takes more than that!
I am so with you on loving success despite hating to do those preparation activities.
I succeed only because there are enough things that I like to do that make money. But if I could only learn some self discipline too.
Look Mike I figured out how to comment. Just love those pics along with the quote!
Debbie Bachel Tucson Home Ins. Agent
George,
It's not a great camera. See my EDIT comment above in the post. Anyone can do this.
Terry,
I always carry my camera with me. That way, when opportunity presents itself... That's all there is to it.
Veronica,
Thanks for being the first to comment!
Mike in Tucson
Nice pictures. How do you get lighting pictures...nice preparation. Also I love Zig Ziglar!
Chuck,
I just took pictures of the black sky. I must have taken 100 of them. Five or six captured lightning strikes.
Mike in Tucson
I love your pics and I think Zig Ziglar is one of the best speakers there is. Thank you for the post
Pat,
Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate the kind comment.
Mike in Tucson
Mike:
Awesome photos! I always get pleasure reading your posts. I am so glad that you took the trouble to photograph the lightning. I had the kind of day that needed this inspiration. Thanks!
Caryn,
I'm glad it inspired you! Thanks for subscribing to my blog; readers are my inspiration.
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
Lighting is easy! On film, even with a "Bronnie." Awesome with a Rollie. Fun with the 4x5 Graflex. Nearly imposable with my digital.
That said, your photos are specular!
Just what I'd except from you.
Bill
Very nice, Mike. You're 100% correct... a little preparation and you're halfway to success. Great photo's!
Wow, that took some diligence! Lightening is hard to catch like that. I took a lightening photo back in 1984. Once I figure out how to get it scanned in and clear enough to see I'll send you a copy. Or, I'll just have to show you next time your up...
Nice shots.
Jonesy,
The Zig quote is priceless today especially! Congrats on the incredible photographs, too. You really know how to have bunches fun while living and working.
Ah, yes. Good ol' Zig. His books have been on my shelves for many years. Preparation and planning remind me of one of George Harrison's songs off of his Brainwashed CD (2002, posthumous): "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there."
Zig Ziglar is a great motivator. I've read most of his books over the years. Great photos.
Mike,
You have, through your photos, impressed on me to take my camera with me everyplace. Over the past couple of months now I haven't left home or office without it. Thanks for the GREAT pics as always.
Don R.
I love these. They would make nice background wallpapers for the computer too. I was just looking at some neat lightning photos yesterday too. They are always really amazing.
Check out: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/green/chi-chicago-lightning-storm-080506-ht,0,5196975.photogallery
It was really great talking to you this morning.I'll send some photos to you asap.
Hugs,
Nessa
Great pics and I love Zig Ziglar - what kind of camera are you using?
Zig Zigler doea a fantastic job of motivating and teaching...love his stuff
Mornin' Mike! As soon as I saw the name Zig Ziggler I just had to comment on this post! Years ago when we were first starting out in the real estate biz, my hubby Steve used to listen to motivational tapes for hours in the car on our way up to Lake Tahoe with our young boys. Zig was at the top of the list. My boys to this day recognize many of the top motivational speakers and have a "can do" attitude. "Welcome to My "Zig Zigler" World!"
Mike, I want to get some lighting strikes myself. Thanks for the encouragement. I was driving home a few weeks ago after a closing and noticed a rainbow. I had just taken some pictures earlier and my camera was dead. So, being ready and having a charged battery is half the battle. Wish me luck. Great pictures.
Hi Mike! Great pictrures! You've got some courage I must say! Glad you weren't holding onto a tripod;-)
Gorgeous Mike! I love lighting pictures and what a great quote to put with these pictures
Mike, I have the same camera and I'm in love with it. I can't believe I went so long without it. Awesome awesome pictures that you took with it!
Stellar post, Mike - Zig Ziglar is just awesome - a real "in the trenches" philosopher and the pictures are terrific.
What an experience. How did your friend like the lightening show? I bet it was a bit scary and exciting.
Mike, amazing photos. I lived in Las Vegas for a few years and absolutely loved monsoon season. Mother Nature puts on quite a show in the beautiful southwest.
WOW!! What beautiful photo's! You have inspired me yo go out and take more photo's of our beautiful mountains!
Mike:
Beautiful photo images of Monsoon sky at Tucson.
Your "Success Is Where Preparation Meets Opportunity". I love the Zig Ziglar line.
Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group, CB Previews NRT
Excellent photos!
Sometimes it takes a little push to achieve excellence.
Congrats Mike on getting those shots, they are great. Glad you took the time to tediously prepare so we all could enjoy & you get to smile on your accomplishment.
Great photos, and patience! I have one of those cameras that after you push the button it takes like 2 seconds for the picture to actually take. I would probably throw it to the ground before I would be lucky enough to actually capture a lightning strike. Time for a new camera I guess?
I Love the Quote, along those same lines, on my wall I have:
"Chance Favors The Prepared Mind" By: Louis Pasteur
You gotta love how empowering a good quote can be.
Those are some very beautiful pictures. I never knew that the Tucson area had monsoons. You learn something new every day!
Very inspiring! I like Zig Ziggler also. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the story.
Mary Mayer
Awesome.
I got a shot of lightening about a month ago. Can't find it now.
I did get hail today.
Hi there,
Great photos!
Ziz Zigler, what a flash back for me. He was the very first speaker I ever heard when I was a newbie in r.e. That was 38 years ago, it was amazing I couldn't sleep a wink that night after seeing him in person. Then I saw him again a few years ago as a guest speaker at my church in Garden Grove, CA. Loved em the first time and loved him the last time.
Great shot Mike!! When I had my 35mm I really got into aperture and film speed and all of that...then I went digital and got lazy!
Great shots, Mike!! I love your story--you make a good point! Good luck in your business...
Mike - Fabulous pics. I so love a great storm! And Zig has been one of my heros since the late 70's.
Congratulations on the feature! You are a motivator in more ways than one!
Mike - we had one of these monsoons hit vegas this afternoon....about 5 minutes after I got in my car to head home. Some 4 year old got hit by lightening. thee were paramedics and abulances at almost evey street corner, many detours, took me an hour and a half and a half a tank of gas in what should of been a 15 minute drive.
Mike, your lighting pics have to be the most impressive shots I have seen in a very long time!
Wonderful post and bad-a&*%$ pics.
Keep them coming!
Beautiful, dramatic shots, Mike. You must have had a very fast exposure to catch the lightning or exposed for a second or more? I've never shot lightning - I'm usually trying to get away from it. We have a guy in Central FL called "The Lightning Stalker" and he follows the storms. Crazy guy. Zig's quote is great and worth remembering. Thanks for both post and quote.
placeholder to return your valued comments. Good night!
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
Cool photos.....
Ann
Hi Mike,
Should you really be standing outside at Gates Pass during a lightning storm? Better see me about some life insurance! Ha Ha Ha.
Dana Lim / Allstate Insurance
Tucson, AZ.
Again, I am in awe of your photography skills Mike! Whenever I am in need of a "virtual" vacation, I just hop over to your blog!
Mike, great shots with your camera. I am so jealous....I'm not in an area where I can get good shots of the lightening. ;-)
Absolutely gorgeous Mike.
Awesome photo of the lightning strike - I love the monsoon season in the desert. I used to have a place at Havasu and we would set up our lawn chairs, and sit outside and watch the show!
Sharon,
I'm hoping that they weren't aluminum lawn chairs! LOL
Rita,
Thanks!!
Teri,
I didn't know that there was a place in Arizona where one couldn't get good photos of lightning. The key is point the camera at the sky. LOL
Myrl,
Thanks for coming by for your Virtual Vacation. Come back often!
Dana,
Let's get together about that life insurance policy.
Ann,
Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - Isn't it wonderful to reach a goal like that? Thank you for sharing your success with us, and putting what I, too, believe is a great motivational quote on Success. Your photos remind me of my sister's stories of hanging out in lawn chairs in her back yard in Lubbock TX to watch the incredible displays...
These photos look different on my old monitor. Can't see the lightening. Where have you been??
Doreen,
I've been preparing for a short week's conference in Salt Lake City with Send Out Cards. I leave this morning and return Sunday.
Karen,
Thank you! I don't know about sitting in aluminum chairs during a lightning storm...
Mike in Tucson
just watch the amazin Michael Phelps show us what preparation truly can do for you.
Daniel,
He was amazing, wasn't he? Thanks for commenting.
Mike in Tucson
Great post. I had the opportunity to see Zig Zigler in the spring. Even though his health and memory are no longer the best, he was great to hear.
The photos are wonderful!!!!!
What great pictures. Good idea to keep the camera in the car.
Dale,
Are you an AR member? Come on back and give us a link. I'd like to know more about you.
Kim,
Ziglar is always motivational!
Mike in Tucson