My husband died, now I need to live

What I would like to recommend next is a series of steps that will ultimately take you to the place you want to be, being a professional photographer. I'm in no doubt that you've got the passion and commitment and skill to become very successful in this area and what we need to do is make a structured plan that will get you there in a sensible and unthreatening way.

Visualise your success
Why not take a few hours to imagine your ideal week doing this work. Create a clear vision of what you want to be doing, what it would look like, what it would feel like, and what it would be like.

Structure your time
What is your time frame for making this vision a reality? Even if it's two years from today - if you know you are moving steadily closer to your ideal work, that time can be both rewarding and enjoyable!

Implement your targets
Assuming that you've decided that two years from now is your target date for making a living from photography, what do you need to have achieved by then, and what do you need to have put in place by then, in order to make this possible? You might decide that you need experience, contacts, a business plan, and financial reserves, for example.

Set your goals
The next step is to work out precisely what you want to have in place by this time, in order to make it happen. I suggest that you look at three- or six-month blocks of time and make an action plan for each time block that will move you closer to your destination.

For example, you might decide that initially your focus is to get more experience in photography. Even while continuing to work full-time at the university, you could volunteer to do more work helping the wedding photographer you have already worked with. You could approach other photographers too.

Consider your options
Might it be possible in six months time, say, to work at your current job four days a week, and to spend the fifth day working to build your photography business?

Finally... go get it!
I know that if you approach this career dream with a vision, with practical step-by-step goals, and with a healthy energised personal framework, you can make it happen and that you can create a life you love for you and for your children.

I wish you the absolute best of luck, and am full of admiration for your strength and determination to move your life forward in a positive direction. If you can dream it, you can do it!

To contact Dr Nicola Bunting directly about how she can help you, email her at Nicola@la-vita-nuova.com or call 0845 222 0258

do you have a career quandry? why not get in touch with us for your chance for an expert career makeover.

Why not chat to other iVillagers on the Life In The Work Place message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions taking place on the message board right now: