I just returned from traveling for a press event at Scarpetta’s in New York City to promote the new Montage Deer Valley Residences.

Before this event met up with my friend Jonathan Fields for lunch at Soho House, a hip kind of country club for creatives.

Jonathan has just authored his second insightful book “Uncertainty, Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance.”

If you are involved in any type of entrepreneurial endeavor or if you are a creative who makes their living by way of your creative output. Get the book!

Jonathan has outlined clear and useful insights that should be part of every MFA and MBA program.

I met Jonathan a few years back when he was writing “Career Renegade, How to Make a Great Living Doing What you Love.”

I’ll admit it.  I am biased because my company was profiled in Career Renegade, but I can tell you that each story was inspiring, as was my discussion with Jonathan last week.

As we talked about our creative process as it relates to our uncertainties and fears we also explored the antidote, which seems to be both acceptance and ritual.

My ritual takes this form.

• Before I start a painting I put my studio in order. It has to be clean and free of distractions.
• Then I will light one stick of sandalwood incense.
• I’ll meditate in silence for about 15 minutes.
• I pause in gratitude for the privilege and opportunity to make my living painting.
• Then I set my intention to do my best work that will inspire and move others.
• Before I pick up the paintbrush I’ll put on some soulful music that might include Amy Winehouse.

This creative ritual drops me down into a familiar mode.  I know, and I accept, that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  I remain loosely attached to the outcome.

I do know that each time I preform this ritual and I get into a familiar headspace, I’m increasing my chances of creative satisfaction.

“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” – Chinese proverb

This proverb really resonates with me.

This wisdom immediately reminds me of a common question that I still receive when I introduce myself as a painter in social or business settings.

The common question I receive in response is “Oh, do you make a living at that?” Ugh!

I try to maintain control over the fine muscles in my face so that I do not betray my mild disgust, frustration, and defensiveness.  This just feeds into their negative perception and energy.   And who wants to be perceived as a loser?

“Yes indeed.” I reply.  “In fact, I’ve turned a profit since my first year in ‘business’ over five years ago and my ‘business’ has been profiled in Fortune magazine, among other national media.” This quickly shifts my audience’s response to me from pity to fascination.

But that’s not the point of this post.  The point is that I don’t like to be interrupted by negativos.  Nor do I like to give them too much time or energy.  I’d rather continue to march forward and build my enterprise.

Ironically I find too many creatives even more steeped in poverty consciousness than even the general public.

To all artists I say, note to self. Marketing trends confirmed by respected research sponsored by American Express reveal that during this decade’s economic downturn sales in all categories of luxury declined, except one.  Which one?  You guessed it.  Fine art.

So yes indeed, people are buying art.  So don’t interrupt me.

“No more effort or energy is required in order to aim high in life, to demand abundance and prosperity, than is required to accept misery and poverty.

The difference between the two lies in your level of awareness.” – Bob Proctor

I snagged this quote by my collector Bob Proctor, author and host of the movie The Secret, because I think as artists it has so much to teach us.

Answer honestly, what are you choosing?  Is it success?

You’ll know what you are really choosing by simply noticing most of the thoughts that you entertain each day.

You know, the noise in your head, the passing remarks you make.  “As you think, so shall you become.”

If we agree with Bob’s proposition then what is the next step?

I’m not sure what Bob would say but I think that the next step is to define what success looks and feels like for yourself, very clearly.

Map it out like a drawing or a painting. Then assume full responsibility for your current circumstances and then take actions that move towards your specific goal.

Remember the common investment disclaimer, “Current results are not a guarantee of future results.”

Where you are now is not necessarily or even likely to reflect your future.

I can hear some resistance now.  “Growing up my parents did not encourage me, life as an artist is hard, and no one is buying art.”

Ya. I’ve heard it. Talk to the hand.  I used to utter the same lies until I chose success as my preferred mode of operation.

Trust me.  I was miserable so I do know that the shift can be made.

Success is a game we play between our ears.  You know that as an artist.

It’s the discipline and focus of your mind that produces creative excellence.  So it is the same for the business of art.

Successful artists take planned action towards a specific goal.

The artists that I have met  choose from one of three modes of operation.

1. whine – where time, focus, and action evaporate
2. procrastinate – which takes a serious toll
3. action – towards a specific goal

I too often witness a combination of 2. & 3.

Actually there’s an unproductive hybrid to “3. planned action” and that is, busy or confused non-directed action.

The key words are “planned” action.  Lots of very busy non-directed work may yield some results but are they the results you want?

Success is about being really clear about what you are working towards and why.

The artists I coach must commit to a SMART goal that they really want.

Then these artists build and maintain an action plan to achieve that goal within a specified amount of time.

There are those that 2. procrastinate.

We all know what that leads to, a big heap of nothing.  Rather then waist anymore time, let me just say, if really want it, you get off your “*%+!”.

It’s mode #3 that leads towards success, and not surprisingly, peace of mind and satisfaction.

And it’s mode #3. that is the only antidote for #1 and #2.  I’ve seen it work over and over again.

Artists who take “planned” action hum right along.  They report their accomplishments each week and the opportunities that are presenting themselves.

The good news is that I also witness artists moving out of unproductive modes 1. & 2. and maintaining mode 3.

So we can all change and evolve, once we commit to a specific goal that we really want to achieve.

Because when we really want something we find the time, focus, and energy to get it.

Which mode do you operate in most often?  Be honest.  The truth will set you free.

What I generally say to artist clients is, “No one is going to discover you.  No one is coming to save you.  So if you’re secretly hoping that your artistic talent will be discovered, forget it now. Define your notion of success then plan and build it.”

I recently read this except from an article on Psych Central.

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) italicize, relates about a friend of hers, an Italian filmmaker of great artistic sensibility, struggling to get his films made, sent “an anguished letter to his hero, the brilliant (and perhaps half-insane) German filmmaker Werner Herzog.

Herzog replied to her friend, saying something along the lines of, ‘Quit your complaining. It’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy the films you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. Nobody wants to hear it. Steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.’

We know that being an artist is generally a tough gig. But is it smart to waste your valuable and limited energy and time complaining about it?  Accept it.

Push aside non-productive thoughts and conversations and figure out specifically what you need to accomplish next to meet your definition of success.

Maybe that’s where you need to start.  What is your definition of success? Is it crystal clear?  Like a physical fitness goal, do you want to drop 10 pounds?  Be able to bench press 50 lbs 15 times?

We are not owed anything by anyone just because we are creative.  There are many amazingly talented creative people on this planet.  What makes you special?

Be clear and confident about how your talent is different, “Do You.”

Then start laying out what success would look like as if you had a magic wand with an on/off switch.

Once you have a clearer picture of success you can break this down into bite sized pieces, milestones.

You can do this. It’s simply another creative process.

Angela Granger

“How will you live, knowing that you will die?”  What?!  Yes, death and taxes, two things of which we can be certain.

What does THAT have to do with the business of art?

Well, for me, everything.  Because that’s the question I asked just before I decided to commit to becoming a successful full time artist.

How did I come to ask that question?  I was toiling away in a cubicle that makes the movie “Office Space” look like a party.  I was a project management consultant working at the California Franchise Tax Board.  And it was beyond dull. It was seriously depressing.

I remember two stark details.  The mound of staples that carpeted the floor removed from millions of tax returns, the evidence of why the returns have “do not staple” printed in the upper left hand corners. And I also recall the image of  two slow moving female government employees who were so fat that they had to enter the bathroom stall sideways. Clearly they ate their pain and boredom.

But I digress.  I also worked with two wonderful colleagues who were the source of profound inspiration. Both were stage IV breast cancer survivors. And naturally, while working there, we would bitch about our jobs.

But one day I asked one colleague, Angela, “What would you do if you were guaranteed success?” She said, “I’ve always wanted to be an interior designer.” I replied, “You’ve just dodged death. Why don’t you just do it?”  Her answer, “Fear,” with a capital ‘F’.

I was stunned.  Is following your passion really any scarier than the certainty of death?  I realized that continuing to toil in that cubicle, while it was a choice, was certainly scarier than death.

It was in that moment that I decided that I was not going to leave this life without giving it my very best.  I was determined to live my best life. This was my responsibility to myself, my purpose.

After I made that decision I stopped bitching about my job and I started working on my escape plan to build a life as a successful artist.  I didn’t know exactly how I would do it but I was committed, so I just knew that I would figure it out.

Now answer the question.  How will you live, knowing that you will die? And what are you waiting for?

In honor of my friend and inspiration, Angela.

A good bit of my coaching artists involves me telling artists, “Do not give up.”  Persist ahead, if you do give up you’re guaranteed failure.

Santa Barrios, my fabulous hair stylist, is the proprietress of Sophistafunk, a hair styling salon in the Mission District of San Francisco and a line of handmade fashion accessories.

Sophistafunk accessories are born from Santa’s unique personal style and creative point of view.  This line is urban, hip, funky, and yet sophisticated.

But that’s not really what I’m here to talk about. I want to talk about Santa.  Santa runs her own hair styling salon and she designs, manufactures, and sells her own line of fashion accessories.

And she travels back and forth to Los Angeles every month to take care of her mother with advanced Alzheimers.  This is a tough gig.

Santa dreams of launching her line of handmade fashion accessories on a big platform so that celebrities are dawning Sophistafunk.

And because Santa keeps creating and inching her business ahead, despite the demands of her personal life and business, it will happen.

How do I know?  Because she’s committed.  She’s not giving up.

First rule of success, don’t give up.  Disabled parent? Don’t give up.  Have to live in two cities?  Don’t give up.  Already running a business?  Don’t give up.  Limited resources? Don’t give up.

But don’t just keep going if it’s not working.  Get help.  Find resources.

Define a SMART goal and then lay out an action plan to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

Fortitude alone won’t get you there.  Be very specific about what you want and then work SMART, not hard, to get there.

I leave you with a French proverb. “One may go a long way after one is tired.”

Do you have, or have you had, someone in your life whose full time job seems to be to nit pick, criticize, and point out the down side of almost every opportunity or point that you make?  Are they sarcastic and try to pass it off as “funny”? Aren’t they a joy to be around?  Not!

Here’s the real question.  Does that persona exist within you?  Does Negative Nancy or Ned emerge sometimes when you contemplate your artistic enterprise? It’s bad enough when someone else infects us with their negativity or fear, it’s worse when we do it to ourselves.

Why am I talking about this within a blog on business and marketing art? Because whether you fully realize it or not your inner dialog is driving your results.

The good news is that it if you are having trouble with this bitchy little voice you can manage it. I’m constantly witnessing artists changing their mind, changing their lives, and growing their businesses.

I have an artist client who is a painter.  Her unconscious negativity has limited her opportunities for much of her life. When Negative Nancy chimes in it usually goes something like this.  “That didn’t work before so it’s not going to work now.”   The antidote she now applies is to flip it.  “That didn’t work before.  What could I do differently to make it work now?”

I heard the Dalai Lama speak last year.  He suggested that one key to happiness is to become conscious by listening carefully to your thoughts. If they are negative then simply do some logical investigation. Ask yourself, “Is that really true? What solid evidence do I have?”  When either of the negativo twins show up insist that they show you their evidence.

I’m not advocating positive thinking, just truthful investigation.

Artists burn out, they suffer from creative blocks, and they can feel uninspired.

What are my recommendations?

• Nurture yourself.  First, take a planned break.  Notice I didn’t say, “Take an indefinite break.”  I did that for over seven years. I don’t recommend that.

• Step back and access the source of your frustration.

1. Is it that you can’t make enough money with your art?
2. you are not focused?
3. you lack confidence?
4. not sure what do to next?

These are some of the key frustrations artists report to me.  So let’s take them, one at a time.

1. Can’t make enough money with your art?

You can make enough money with your art only when you know specifically how much money would be enough.  Seems obvious but it’s not.  What is your amount?  What would you like to make each year or average each month?

Then you must know your unique value proposition and your target market.  Or rather, identify what you do like no other artist does and what specific types of people it serves, who would value it?

2. Can’t focus on business?

Define a SMART goal and maintain an action plan and you will be focused.  Take one or more steps each day towards your goal.  Commit to this discipline.

3. Lack confidence?

We’ll all lack confidence from time to time. I wasn’t always so confident.  I’ve learned that confidence comes from setting SMART goals, planning, committing to them, and meeting them.

A goal without a plan is only a dream.

Start with small victories and build your confidence.  It may not happen overnight. It’s a process.

4. Not sure what do to next?

You probably do know what do next.  You may not be feeling very honest with yourself.  Dig deep. You may not like the truth of what you need to do.

Surround yourself with positive people who can offer constructive support.  Talk it out.  Seek honest feedback.

No one succeeds alone.  I certainly didn’t.

If you think you can, you’re right. And if you think you can’t, well you know.

I mention this at Artists Who THRIVE because of my experience coaching and consulting with a range of artists from across the globe.  With this experience I have noticed certain patterns and characteristics and confirmed one universal truth.  And that is, “as you think, so shall you become.”

There are many elements to an artist’s success: clear goals,  a plan, talent, and a unique value proposition that serves a targeted market. But before all these elements, it’s an artist’s attitude that fuels their success and happiness.

Those artists who “think they can” struggle less and they become more successful more quickly.

So if your attitude is not so great what do you do?  My suggestion is clean your mind, daily.  Like you brush your teeth.

As a matter of fact, if it’s hard to think of fitting one more thing into your day, do this while you’re brushing your teeth.  Because just like it’s important to clean your teeth everyday, hopefully at least twice a day, cleaning your mind is equally if not more important.

Take a moment each day, like when you are brushing your pearly whites think:

1. three things that you forgive yourself or someone else for

2.  three things that you are grateful for

3. and three things that you desire and see them as yours now

Now if you’re cynical about this, then know that I’m not trying to convert you.  I’m just sharing a meditation that has helped me maintain a positive attitude.  And what a better way start the morning or end each day?