Many artists who I work with struggle struggle initially with not feeling enough focus and confidence.
Interestingly, they’re tied together.
How? Focused action yields confidence.
But what if you don’t know what to focus on?
If you really don’t have a specific goal then start by making a list of things that you really appreciated about this past year.
Don’t think about, feel about it.
Just jot down whatever comes to mind.
This will make your priorities and desires clear so that you can best determine a specific goal for next year.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’ll start.
- I’m thankful for my students who are demonstrating their commitment to selling their art without selling out.
- I’m thankful to my mastermind partner Ron Douglas for his friendship, inspiring example of integrity, and for teaching me the power of morning journaling.
- Although it’s frustrated me more than anything this year. I’m thankful for the technology that allows me to connect with you and to deliver my teachings to a global audience.
- I’m thankful for my friends and colleagues who support my journey every day.
- I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with my friend and Creative Live Producer, Justin Barker, who helped me reshape and improve my teachings so that I could deliver them to a live worldwide audience.
- I’m thankful for a peaceful home and studio that provides me with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. Something that I appreciate every day.
- I am thankful for maintaining my own resolve and commitment to a worthy life mission, to help artists free themselves from the “starving artist” slur and secure their creative freedom through business savvy.
- I am so very thankful that I am free from the suffocating anxiety and depression that clouded my world for so many years.
- I’m thankful for art, which the world needs so very much to connect us with our humanity, reflect our values, and heal us.
- Last but not least, I’m thankful to courageous readers like you who may not be taking an easy path but who are taking a brave and worthy path as artists.
What are you most thankful for?
Leave a comment below.
About Ann Rea
Ann Rea is a San Francisco based Artist and Entrepreneur. Her inspired business approach to selling her paintings have been featured on HGTV and the Good Life Project, in Fortune, and The Wine Enthusiast magazines, profiled in the book Career Renegade. Rea’s artistic talent is commended by American art icon, Wayne Thiebaud, and she has a growing list of collectors across North America and Europe.
I am thankful that my seven month self-imosed stint of retail bootcamp, including popups, crafts fairs, and holiday boutiques ended Saturday giving me the chance to reflect on what I learned so I can take the next step toward actually selling my work.
I am thankful to have learned that people like what I do enough to buy it.
I am thankful for the friends I made these past seven months, both fellow artists and customers.
And I am thankful for the increased confidence I have gained making myself do this.
I am thankful, Ann, to you for giving me a forum to say this.
Lastly, I am thankful for the biggest lesson I am learned this year which is that making art is solitary but selling it is social and we can learn how to do this together.
Happy Holidays to everyone and here’s to a prosperous and creative New Year! The world really does ache for art, beauty, and touch.
Susan
1. I am thankful for my artistic abilities.
2. I am thankful for the many resources available to me to ensure my business is a success.
3. I am thankful for my current income that allows me to invest in my dream.
4. I am thankful for the endless possibilities available to me every second of each day.
I’m thankful for the support of my friends and family
I’m thankful for my students
I’m thankful for the artists I connect with, who share their journey with me.
I’m thankful for making into a juried art show.
I’m thankful for the honorable mention in another juried art show.
I’m thankful for my art sales
You’re welcome.
I’m thankful for all of your weekly tidbits of wisdom. Oftentimes, they touch on a subject that concerns me but that I’m not sure how to go about finding answers to (case in point- your topic this week about focus & confidence!). Thank you so much for helping us artists. You really reach us!
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I am thankful for the suggestions Ann Rea puts out, they give me confidence & reassures me & reminds me that I have the ability to see my Art as a business.