Hey Reader,
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how the products we use daily impact our output.
From the pens we use to write notes to the accessories we buy for our cameras.
Each little thing adds up, and so today I wanted to share how it all connects.
Let’s dive in.
First, Mindset.
Before any change can be actioned, it helps to start with a small shift in how we see ourselves.
Not a loud affirmation. More of a quiet thought:
I’m someone whose time and work are worth supporting properly.
For a long time, I held the belief that if something works, it’s okay. I can manage.
When my Fujifilm glitches out a bit, it’s fine, I can manage.
When Premiere Pro overloads and I need to restart, it’s fine; I can manage.
And sure, this works for a while.
But is it something worth constantly battling? Probably not.
I also used to think quality automatically meant expensive.
They’re often linked, but they’re not the same thing.
I think we call things “expensive” when we don’t believe in their value.
Whereas the tools we genuinely love, that give us time back or help us earn more, are closer to investments than costs.
It Starts with What You Use Every Day
Something you use daily is usually the best place to start.
So here’s a small framework I’ve been trying with the things I use most:
- Does this product work well?
- Does it make me enjoy using it?
- Will it benefit me in the future?
From a photography perspective, think about your camera.
Does it produce images you’re proud of?
Do you feel excited when you pick it up?
And is it helping you build your portfolio or earn more shoots?
From the bag you carry every day, to the shoes you walk around shooting in.
Your keyboard. Your desk chair.
Things you barely think about, but always use.
You get the idea.
I’m not suggesting you throw everything away and upgrade your whole life.
If you can, great.
But for most of us, this is a slow process.
Which brings me to this...
Small Upgrades, Compounded Results
If you’ve spent time in the self-improvement world, you’ve probably heard the word “Kaizen”.
It means continuous improvement.
Small changes, done often enough, over time.
It became well known through Toyota’s manufacturing approach, not one big shift, but many small ones.
That’s what makes it sustainable.
And much easier than replacing all your gear or software in one go.
I recently started a simple “upgrade list” in my Apple Notes.
Nothing fancy. Just small things I improve as I notice them.
This week looked like this:
- Monday (12/01) – New yoga mat that doesn’t roll up on the corners.
- Tuesday (13/01) – Fresh bread for the week from the gluten-free bakery I like.
- Wednesday (14/01) – Updated my MacBook Pro OS.
- Thursday (15/01) – New plant for my space.
No new camera system.
No office overhaul.
No big purchases.
But they still change how my days feel.
Reframing improvement as small upgrades done consistently will take you further in a few weeks than one weekend of frantic shopping.
Good Quality Raises Your Standards
When you start using better tools, you naturally start expecting more.
Not in a pretentious way.
More in a quiet, internal way.
You begin to care more about how things feel and how they turn out.
Once you improve the gear you use, you expect a smoother experience when shooting.
The same goes for editing.
A clean folder system. Faster previews. Less friction.
So more of your attention goes into the work itself.
Over time, this shifts what “good enough” means.
You delete more photos.
You keep fewer.
You turn down work that doesn’t respect your time.
Or you finally commit to sharing consistently, because the work feels worth showing.
A Small Experiment
You don’t need to upgrade your whole life this weekend.
That usually leads to stress and comparison, which nobody needs.
So start with one small thing.
Something you use every day.
Ask yourself:
Does this make the work easier?
Does it make me care a little more?
If not, that might be your next upgrade.
Nothing dramatic.
Just one small choice in the direction of quality.
Those add up.
And over time, they quietly change how you work and how your work feels.
If this resonated, you can hit Reply. I read every email.
Catch you next week,
Matty 📷 🚀
