How will you live, knowing that you will die?

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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.

Sophistafunk – Do not give up

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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.”

Artists, have you met Negative Nancy or Negative Ned?

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Positive_negative

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.

Curing Artists Burn Out

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uninspired2

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…

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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?

Is Your Glass Half Full?

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Is Your Glass Half Full?

Why do I write sooo damn much about mindset in a blog about the business of marketing and selling art?

Well, I want Artists Who THRIVE to be useful.  So my posts are an actual reflection of the current issues that my artist clients are grappling with.

Whether I’m coaching artist clients one on one, or answering an artist’s questions in a seminar, we’re spending anywhere from 50% to 80% of the time on shaping a successful mindset.

A successful mindset is essential because even with the right marketing strategy and loads of talent, without the right attitude, its just not going to happen.

Why?  Maybe because, for the most part, society expects artists to fail and the “starving artist” myth is like running bad code in too many artists’ brains.

How do I know this? For one thing, my personal experience. Secondly, I watch artists that I coach succeed and fail.

The number one indicator of whether my artist clients are going to make it is simply their attitude. If they have a good attitude they succeed quicker and with more ease.

As soon as my clients start getting whiny, they slow down, lose focus, make excuses, derail, and undermine their opportunities. I see this ALL the time.

The market, the weather, even the level of our talent is outside of our control.  But you do have complete control over your attitude. And this drives your discipline, focus, and ability to attract collectors.

It’s really amazing to watch this simple truth.  And I’m grateful for the constant reminder that the glass really can be half full.  It’s a choice.

Audio Interview of Artist Ann Rea

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Artist, CEO | Ann Rea, Inc. & Founder of ArtistsWhoTHRIVE

Artist, CEO | Ann Rea, Inc. & Founder of ArtistsWhoTHRIVE

Audio Interview of Ann Rea by Carlos Castellanos of Drawn by Success

Click here to access audio file.  Please note, it sounds like the interview has already started.  Hold on.  It really hasn’t.

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Episode 04 of the Drawn By Success Creative Success Series features the very first interview post for 2011, my audio interview with the one and only, painter and business savvy artist Ann Rea. How she went from anxiety ridden, corporate cubicle dweller to becoming a high profile artist whose works have gained increasingly collectible status. And how you can apply the same strategies for your work.

Update: Since recording this interview with Ann, several Small Business Development Centers in Northern California, UC Berkley, JFK University, and the Cleveland Institute of Art have asked her to teach her Business building seminars for artists.

12 Step Program for Artists Who THRIVE

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12step

Recently I was coaching an artist who remarked that some of the insights that she was gaining during our sessions reminded her of some of the shifts that have occurred for her with her 12-step program.

I said, “Cool. Maybe I should write a 12 step program for Artists Who THRIVE?”  She said, “You should!” I replied, “I can and I will!”  So here it is:

  1. Don’t believe everything you think.  When a negative thought enters your brain investigate it logically and ask: “Is this really true?  What real evidence do I have?  Is this just fear talking again?”
  2. Have faith.  Focus on the possibilities not the problems.  When problems come up, focus on the solutions.
  3. Challenge conventional thinking. Take risks.
  4. Maintain a clear positive vision of what you want,  feel it, then act.  And remember that optimistic people get more done, they are more successful, and better to be around.
  5. Commit.  If you’re interested, you’ll do what’s convenient.  If you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes.  Freedom is born of discipline.
  6. Have a plan or your life with fall into other people’s plans. Break your vision down into very specific SMART goals.
  7. You can’t manage time, only your priorities.  Before you go to bed, write down six things that you are going to do the following day towards meeting your SMART goal, in order of their priority.  Wake up and do your very best to complete each thing, in order, until it’s done.
  8. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who also believe in you.
  9. Think each day about what you will give, not what you will get.  It’s not about you.  Your compensation is a reflection of the value you offer.
  10. Accept that you are responsible for your successes and failures. Celebrate your successes.
  11. Embrace your inevitable failures.  They are your greatest teachers.
  12. Be yourself. Develop your unique voice and lead.  Successful artists are leaders.
  13. Warren Buffett was asked, “What is the best investment you can make?” His reply, “Invest in yourself.”  So invest in yourself, you’re worth it. (bonus step)

In this moment you are just where you are supposed to be.  Now act, even with fear and uncertainty.  Start small. Make a commitment to yourself and keep it.  Build on that.

Stop Fighting for Just Another Job – Dip Into The Blue Ocean Strategy – by Marc Acito

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Pacific Ocean Deep, Ann Rea, oil on canvas

Pacific Ocean Deep, Ann Rea, oil on canvas

by Marc Acito - a regular commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

“Don’t compete with rivals, make them irrelevant.”

So say W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, authors of the book, Blue Ocean Strategy, a paradigm-shifting look at building your business.

“In today’s overcrowded industries,” they write, “competing head-on results in nothing but a bloody ‘red ocean’ of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool.” Instead, the authors urge businesses to seek untested (and uncontested) “blue oceans,” “designing new products or services and linking them to what buyers really want, even if they don’t realize they want it as yet.”

At a time when it feels like you’re competing for jobs with some guy in India who’s calling himself Kevin, the concept has its appeal.

That is assuming you can understand the rest of the Blue Ocean website, which is full of multi-syllabic business school jargon that might as well be in Hindi. From what I can gather, blue ocean strategies created Cirque du Soleil, which reinvigorated a moribund circus industry by appealing to adults and corporate clients. Or iTunes, which figured out customers didn’t want to buy a whole CD to get one or two songs. Or Curves, which assessed women’s desires and gave them the health club without mirrors or men.

Or painter Ann Rea, who discovered an untapped market in painting landscapes of Northern California wineries, where “everything sells better when you have alcohol in your system.”

Rea’s story is every cubicle dweller’s dream. After working in “a variety of anxiety producing jobs” in high tech, investing, and disaster relief, an encounter with two stage IV breast cancer survivors made her realize that life is too short not to go for her goals.

But how?

“My brother was the dean of a business school and he was useless,” Rea reports. “So I sat with a friend and threw out every possible way to make a living as a painter – we wrote everything down without a filter.” Rea ranked the ideas 1 through 3 based on how profitable they were, whether she had any experience with it, and did she know anybody who could help her.” Then she scored them.

Realizing that what mattered most to her was rendering color, Rea formed a strategic partnership painting the landscapes of vineyards. Not only could she make a profit selling originals and reproductions at the wine-tastings, but she learned that oenophiles were natural collectors.

While Rea’s story provides a model for entrepreneurs, it also gives something more important: hope. Hope that there’s a way to cut through the noise of a world in which everyone is now a media personality. Hope that there are still opportunities not just for work, but meaningful work. And hope that beyond the crowded chaos of the red ocean lies a wide open blue horizon.

And that, my friends, is The Upside.

Start where you Are Now

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Experienced and not so experienced artists alike often ask: where do I start to build success as an artist?  I hear it all the time, “I’m not sure where to start. I need a plan to help me focus.”

You have to start with yourself and where you are today.  And be clear about what you want to create.

First of all let’s define success.  Are we talking about making art that you are proud of, that inspires, and earning money from it?  Yes?  Then you are not just an artist, you’re an entrepreneur.  That’s right!

Own it, even if feels audacious. “I’m an artist and an entrepreneur.” Yes. These two words do belong in the same sentence.

Now understand that you, and you alone, are responsible for your success and your failures. Really. I mean take complete responsibility. When you do that, you’re empowered.  It’s not simply a matter of being discovered or getting the right exposure.  Why wait and hope for that?

And with this premise the next step is to just be honest and evaluate yourself and your present circumstances.

What are you strengths?

Do you have talent?  Do you really have talent?  Do you need more training?

Do you possess the business and marketing skills, the qualities, and the drive of an entrepreneur?

Have you taken the time to define your goals?

Do you have a written plan that you are confident about?

Do you manage your time and your energy effectively?  Why not?   Time is a limited resource, obviously more limited than money.  Managing priorities provides the keys to the kingdom of productivity.

Be honest.  This is tough stuff.  But the truth will set you free.

If you’re an artist.  Proclaim it.  Own it.  I’m a successful artist!

So get real, start with yourself, where you are right now, today.  Can you do this with a balanced perspective?  Do you need some help with this?  Successful people don’t do it alone.  Note all of the people thanked when an artist wins an Emmy or a Grammy.

Ask yourself.  Where am I right now?  Then be bold and ask.  Where do I really want to go?