If I have made my success as a nationally recognized artist look easy, I invite you to look again.
I have had big fat failures just as I have had successes.
And guess what? They each kicked my butt.
Allow me to spill the beans. I’ve jotted down my five fattest failures and disappointments and what I eventually learned from each.
1. Having two major wineries welsh on a written agreement within one year, leaving me with 112 original oil paintings and no productive venue to sell them.
What did I learn? If you are a small business and you become dependent on one major client, the lack of diversification can bring you down, and quickly.
Even with a written agreement and trust in place, if the other party does not keep up their end of the bargain, you must be in a position to sustain it or it may not be worth the risk.
2. Ignoring my intuition and just “thinking” that I could help two artist clients in my coaching program who then failed.
What did I learn? Never ever ignore my intuition, even if it doesn’t make sense. Intuition often doesn’t make sense but it is very strong and reliable.
3. Relying on very expensive services from bookkeepers and CPAs to keep accurate and timely financial records only for them to make a mess of my books.
What did I learn? I am the best minder of my money. Giving away this responsibility and not having a clear understanding of my bookkeeping is very dangerous and expensive. No one will ever care about my money like I care.
4. Avoiding sales by focusing on marketing and painting.
What did I learn? We all prefer to do what we are good at and feel comfortable with but this is not necessarily to our advantage nor the highest priority. After I received sales training, I got better and I liked it much more.
5. Ignoring my personal values by continuing to focus on a value proposition around a wine country lifestyle that does not resonate with me as it once did.
What did I learn? Creating inspiration is my primary purpose as an artist. I can only inspire others when I am inspired. So now I am embarking on a new body of work this year and I’m excited again about my art.
Where did you, or where are you, failing?
Take action. Take a moment to journal and list your failures. Spill it. Cry. Scream. Beat your pillow.
Then take a break. Return and ask. “What did I learn?”
Our failures inform our successes.
If you are reluctant to do this exercise, invite a trusted friend to do it with you.
If you are stuck and you do not know what you have learned and or how to move forward, book a phone consult.
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