Do the Thing You’re Avoiding, NOW

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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.

Business Planning for Artists – Compass not a Map

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Business Plan is a Compass not a Map

When I’m coaching an artist, the first assignment that I give them is a specific exercise that helps them define their vision of their life as an artist.

Then we start breaking that vision down into concrete milestones. Next they choose one milestone and we break that down into specific and measurable goals.

Finally, I help them create a road map, I call it an “action plan” to reach a SMART goal.  It’s business planning for artists.

Why do I teach artists how to build an “action plan” or a road map?  Because once they’ve met their specific goal, and long I’m gone, they can use this skill to reach future goals and to manifest their greater vision.

Now life is not a straight line and neither are road maps. The road changes, it detours, and shortcuts inevitably arise during any journey.

The map will change as you gain more experience and insight about your chosen journey.

But as long as you are clear about where you are headed, and you keep referring to your compass, your journey will remain focused.

Just keep moving forward, taking so many steps each day, and you’ll get there.

If an artist has a fuzzy vision, if they will not define or commit to a specific goal, that can be a deeper issue of commitment and or of confidence.  You have to know what you want to get what you want.

If an artist comes to me looking for a concrete road map, then they’ll be in trouble. Everyone’s destination is different.  So we don’t know in the beginning exactly how they’re going to get there or even when.

But you can plan and estimate the very best you can, use your compass, and through faith and persistence, you’ll get there.

In my first year in business I created a plan.  I determined that it would take my about three months before I would collect my first deposits.  I was right on the money and I turned a profit that first year.

The good news is that planning skills can be learned. And they’re easier to learn than drawing or painting. How do I know?  Because I’ve learned and I’ve taught both. ;)