Learn from my mistakes. Sometimes we avoid what we really want. For over seven years straight I didn’t draw or paint a single thing. What I didn’t know then was that one day I would become a nationally recognized painter. I avoided what I really wanted because of fear. Had I gotten it together I would have enjoyed my artistic enterprise earlier and been a much happier and fulfilled person. The goods news is that I discovered that it was not too late. Through considered and consistent action I got what I wanted.
So often we put off doing things that are important to advancing our artistic enterprise and yet time is marching on. Maybe it’s finding a bookkeeper, getting a marketing plan together, drafting a clear commission agreement, or just making a particular phone call?
Why? Who knows and frankly, who cares. The important thing to recognize is that if there is something that you are avoiding then it’s taking up your valuable and limited physic energy. Once you do this thing that you’ve been avoiding, you free energy and you feel so much better.
Do you need to organize your studio? Update your books? Get some work photographed?
Maybe this is just not the highest and best use of your time.
If you have been avoiding then either hire someone to help you or enlist a friend to hold you accountable. Let them know what you need to do and ask them to check in with you at a certain time and ask if you have it done. This is called an accountability partner.
Here’s a great strategy. Make a list of all of the things that you’ve been avoiding. Face them square in the eyes and number them in terms of your desire to not do them. If you’re feeling brave then tackle the thing that you are most resisting. And if you’re not that enthusiastic yet then start with the task that would be easiest to complete.
Trust me. This works. It’s the things that we are avoiding, the responsibilities that we have not yet claimed, that hold us down. The clock is ticking, so free yourself and just do it, NOW. It’s not too late.
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You’re very welcome Mari!
-Ann
Rea, Thank you for writing this message. When I read this, I felt like you personally wrote for me! For the last couple of years, I haven’t been very happy and could not get excited about my work. And, I knew in my heart, it was because I was “avoiding” to tackle the business side of my creative activities. My new year resolution is to relaunch my business once and for all. I like your definitions of “Thriving Artists” very much!! That’s how I’d like to be and how I always wanted to be. You gave me a courage. Thank you, again, Rea!
Sincerely, Mari
Excellent advice! We do create our own stumbling blocks…and even use them for excuses.