Until You Value Yourself, You Will Not Value Your Time

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“Until you value yourself, you will not value your time.
Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” ~ M. Scott Peck

I did not paint or draw for over seven straight years, even though I longed to express myself.  Suppressing my creativity led me into a spiral of anxiety and depression that lasted over a decade.  A decade were I’m missing large fragments of memory.

Although my art could not save me from a troubled upbringing, I credit art with keeping me out of a good deal of trouble in my adolescence.  This was because I excelled at art.  Art gave me a goal to strive towards and a focus away from mischief because I had big plans.

But five years of art school later, and after a troubled marriage, I abandoned art.  A familiar choice among those creatives who need to “get practical.”

It took a chance meeting with two advanced breast cancer survivors, one my age, to remind me that life is short.  Or in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “You may delay, but time will not.”

One of these women was named Angela.  She was my age.  Angela longed to be an interior designer.  But she and I sat stuck in our cubicles wishing for something else.  I looked at her one day and said, “You’ve dodged death.  Go do it!”  She resisted and gave me a list of reasons why she could not become an interior designer.

What is life for but to become fully self-expressed?  That doesn’t mean that one’s self-expression should be an entrepreneurial endeavor.  But when its possible to earn a good living from one’s self expression, its incredibly satisfying.

I think that the truth of the quote by Peck explains why I procrastinated.  It was a painful lesson but maybe I learned it so that I could encourage others to seize the day and to honor my memory of Angela.

What are you avoiding?

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It’s not uncommon for an artist that I’m coaching to be actively avoiding a task or a project that they really need to get done. For example: getting all of their photos ready for their new website, filing their taxes, or clearing a cluttered studio.

They will refer to it during our phone meetings; it will come up over and over in discussion.  It’s on their mind so it has their attention, it’s taking up energy to avoid it, and it’s often proving to be an obstacle in the way of their reaching a specific and important goal.

We all do avoid or put off the things we like least. The action that I’m currently avoiding is writing sales letters to important potential strategic partners for Ann Rea, Inc.  Of course, now that I’ve admitted this in writing, I won’t be able to avoid it any more.

As my sales consultant wisely advised me (yes, I have coaches too) “you don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.”  And of course I’m so glad when I complete things that have stacked up because it helps build my business and frees me of stress.

It’s a remarkable tool to notice what you are avoiding because it’s only then that you can deal with it and then watch your energy and focus return.  Rather then get into a self-inflicted drama of telling yourself that you’re a slacker, just be thankful of your awareness and commit to a specific time to complete the task.

Today, right now, make a list of the things you’re avoiding.  Number them in order of priority.  Then tackle one at a time until each is done.  Give yourself a deadline and schedule the time needed to complete what you have been avoiding.  Put these items on your calendar.

Then call someone who is supportive and ask them to check in with you about your efforts each week. Then watch your life and business change for the better.

Balancing Confidence and Criticism

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“Mick Jagger 1975/76″ Andy Warhol

Once Wayne Thiebaud, an American Art icon, wrote in a letter of recommendation that I possessed “confidence and inner resources”, I suddenly had more.  Why are these qualities so important?  Because it’s what separates the “men from the boys” in the wild and hypercritical world of art.

Artists often battle their inner critic.  Although criticism is necessary to editing one’s creative expressions, it can also eat you alive, if you let it.  The successful book “The Artist’s Way” brilliantly deals with the subject of the “inner critic.”  Yet there was nothing in my prestigious fine art education that ever helped prepare me to balance confidence and criticism.

An artist client of mine told me a story of her son who was given an art class assignment to go to an art gallery or museum and to write about a painting.  At the last minute her son approached her with his unfinished homework.  There where no museums or galleries open so off they went to an ever-open Thomas Kinkade Gallery.

Her son turned in his completed assignment and his teacher proceeded to tear him in two.   Proclaiming, “this is not art!”  Now I tend to agree, but this is a kid, and he did complete the assignment. He was penalized for the rest of the year and his passion for art completely evaporated.

But would this have happened if it was a math test?  I assert that the answer is no.

Art is so very personal that we often see it as representing ourselves.  So when it’s torn to shreds or even mildly criticized, artists can be devastated, their ego pummeled.

As an artist you have to be open to criticism; there’s no way around it.  And if you’re in business you need to welcome and respond to it.  Particularly if your business is selling your art because your confidence will inspire collectors to purchase.

You also have to maintain perspective.  Not everyone is going to like your work.  Not everyone likes mine and I don’t care.  Because I only need a few select collectors every month to like it enough to buy it.

Do you like every song you hear on the radio or every outfit you see?  No.  It’s a matter of personal preference.

Mic Jagger, the front man for one of the most popular long lasting rock groups of all time, explained to Larry King that he has always listened to the critics.  Jagger stated that the key is discerning between criticism that is really only about a subjective preference and criticism that is actually constructive or insightful.

Let’s get Real. Do you have talent? Have your found your artistic voice?

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Contestants on American Idol amuse millions when they are absolutely convinced of their talent but they are completely oblivious to their flaws.  We are entertained as they realize that the experienced judges beg to differ.

Frankly, a few artists approach me for coaching and consulting and they just don’t have it.  But taste and style is very personal so it’s not for me alone to judge. And they never follow through on consultations and coaching.

What I emphasize to my artist clients is that the truth will set you free.  Come on, be very honest with yourself about how your work stacks up in your category in the art market.

If you’re overly critical and lacking confidence then you are not performing a clear headed evaluation.  If you haven’t had formal training, you must access credible guidance.

By the way, I don’t offer art critiques.  I’m in the business of selling art,  my own, and part time helping select artists sell theirs.  I assume that you’ve passed the talent test and I won’t comment on the quality of your work.

And don’t let one person’s opinion shoot you down.  Look for a pattern in others observations.  I had a design professor in art school that I interned for when I was 20 years old.  He owned a firm that did hand drawn architectural renderings. I respected him and wanted to be like him.  But then he started to say, repeatedly in class and at work, that men could draw better than women.  I was the only woman at the firm and a minority in my art school’s department.  How do you think his sexist comments made me feel?  Do you think it helped me gain confidence and skill?  It absolutely interfered with a very expensive private art education.

Looking back, this was one of several experiences that led to my abandoning my creative career for over one and a half decades. But many of us have experienced serious challenges so I’m less interested in your horror stories and more interested in how you too have overcome them.  Hence the title of this community: ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.    I invite you too share how you discovered your own talent, voice, and confidence.

Artists Who THRIVE is growing!

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Below is an example of the messages that I received just yesterday.

I’m inspired to see so many artists join and benefit from ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.  And it helps me up my own game!

You’ll benefit the most when you engage with like-minded, positive, and productive artists, when you too join the conversation.  Share your recent success and comment to posts.

Although I established ArtistsWhoTHRIVE, the community belongs to you.  And through the power of the Internet we can help each other thrive artistically and financially.
So I’d like to hear from you!

  • What’s working for you on ArtistsWhoTHRIVE?
  • What questions or other topics would you like us to explore?
  • What resources are you looking for?
  • Do you know that we are interested in guest writer submissions?
  • Do you have examples of your recent or past business success?
  • What are your current challenges?

“I’m really excited and you’ve got me even more thrilled to be an artist.
Thank you for the motivation! You’ll be hearing from me soon!

rebekah joy plett”

www.catchtheredballoon.com

“’bravo!’ Your gallery is wonderful and from a Blue Ocean perspective, I think you have a fantastic opportunity to create new market space. The very best to you.  I look forward to following your success!
Best regards,
Chuck”
founder
www.blueoceandiscovery.com

“I’ve been getting your newsletters for a few months now. They’re always useful and inspiring — thank you! You’re a great model!

Best,
Melissa”
Melissa Dinwiddie
www.melissadinwiddie.com

Perfectionism Kills Creativity

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Perfectionism kills creativity.  It killed mine, off and on throughout art school, and then this disease lingered on until I created no more for over seven years straight.  Perfectionism is, for me, an innate tendency.  Maybe it’s the Virgo in me?  But then I learned that it’s not about quality, it’s about quantity.  Yes, you heard me right.  Art is not about quality, it’s all about quantity.

Malcolm Gladwell demonstrates this point in his book “Outliers, the Story of Success” where he talks about the 10,000-hour rule.  It was only after logging 10,000 hours that The Beatles, Bill Gates, and Mozart found their stride.  I don’t think that they were paining over every minute they logged.  And that’s what perfectionism is, it’s paining over every decision, over editing, or constant second guessing, leading to overwhelm, all caused by self-doubt.

Another book that gets right to the heart of perfection-itis is “Art and Fear”.  This is mandatory reading for the artist clients that I coach and consult with across the globe by phone.  It’s interesting that some issues are universal.

The chapter about perfectionism in “Art and Fear” illustrates a ceramics class that is divided in half at the beginning of the semester.  One half of the class is instructed to make one perfect vessel.  And they will be graded on the quality of that vessel.  That’s it.  This is their sole assignment.

The other half of the class is told that there grade will be based on the total weight of the number of vessels they create.  The more clay they shape, the higher their grade.

Which group at the end of the semester produced the better quality and more creativity?  The group that weighed in, of course.  Why?   Because they where not fussing and paining over the outcome, freeing them to feel, experiment, and to be more spontaneous, and creative.

Thinking Big

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“You are what you think about”.

I’m not sure who to credit this statement of truth but I remind myself of it often.  In order to imagine painting for a living I had to think big, much bigger than I had been thinking throughout my life while I was working away in a cubicle.  And as I continued to look at the stars, think big, and succeed at making these big thoughts into my reality I noticed that the people in my life fell into two camps.  There where those who thought that I was unrealistic or who plainly ignored me when I shared my victories, literally changing the subject, most often to themselves.  Then there where those who cheered my on, and who at times, would hold even more of a belief in my big ideas than I did.

Over the past five years I’ve watched a whole group of small thinkers fade out of my life and a whole group of big thinkers step in.  In fact, they are still showing up.  Bob Proctor who is a personal development guru, and has worked with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres. David Mathison who is a thought leader in the renaissance of new media. Jonathan Fields, author of Career Renegade, to name a few. And lesser known names, but no less important, who are definitely big thinkers and who are leading change, imagining new frontiers, and who I appreciate knowing.

I’m quite sure that it’s thinking bigger that has allowed my path to cross with big thinkers.  I can remember Bob Proctor saying, “I really don’t like small talk, I like big talk.” Although on one level its sad to see some people fade out my life, I recognize that rarely does anyone stay in your life forever, that nothing is permanent, and it’s often for the best because it makes room for people who are positive influences.

What’s your attitude?

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I have experience coaching and consulting with artists, from across the globe on their business and their marketing.  And what I have been struck by is the number one determining factor of their success.

And that success factor, hands down, is their attitude.  Of course their artistic training, their talent, their marketing strategy, are vital factors but they are just the basic cooking ingredients. They are the chef that needs to cook the recipe.

And despite the fact that my artist clients have hired me specifically to coach and consult with them on growing their businesses, for some of them, we spend a LOT of time on examining and adjusting their attitude.

Despite inevitable setbacks, those artists who maintain a positive attitude are the ones that I have witnessed reach success with more ease and in less time.

If you’re reading the Artists Who THRIVE it is most likely because you want to grow your art business.  If that is so, then what is your attitude? You know, most of the time?  What do you believe about yourself? About your work?  About selling your work?

Don’t underestimate the importance of this question.  Be honest.  The truth will set you free.  And the truth is the first place to start when you want to make a change.

What are you doing to manage your attitude? Do you meditate?  Exercise? Do you have focus?  Do you have a well thought out plan to reach your market?  Do you know who your market is?

Steering your attitude is a discipline and it’s a choice.  What choice do you make each day?

Going to Hollywood

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We all know it.  There are a whole lot of artist wanna-bes. This month I was in Beverly Hills for a number of evening events with famed chef  Thomas Keller.  I was having lunch one day and I couldn’t help but to overhear a group of men talking about actors.  One remarked that Hollywood, as the hub of the film, TV, and the music industry, must have the highest number of broken dreams per capita.

He went on to say that he has met so many who announce themselves as actors but they really haven’t, and don’t, do much.  They exert a minimal amount of effort, taking occasional acting lessons, and inconsistently going on auditions, to maintain a thin veneer of identity as an actor.  And it’s really the identity that they’re invested in, not the diligence required to be an actor.

Then he said there are a few actors who are relentlessly pursuing their career.  Doing whatever it takes, without complaint, because they are committed, they will not be dissuaded, and they are talented.  They accept rejection as par for the course.

It sounded all too familiar.

During my events in Beverly Hills an actor was hired to assist me. He shared his experience as an actor in Hollywood.  We mused about whether it was more difficult to achieve success as an actor or as a painter.  I maintained that he had a tougher road because his industry was even more scarcity and permission based. Without having your Actor’s Guild card, the number of auditions you can go to is limited.  And without the right part, fulfilling specific criteria, you can’t get your card.  A vicious circle.

The next day I met a patron, who is also a friend, for lunch at the famed Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel and we sat among they Hollywood glittered and saw a number of recognizable faces.  I thought of my actor assistant and I was struck by the limits of his opportunities.  But when I decided to become a painter, the limits of the art world did not daunt me. I thought only of how I could create more value to set myself apart.