At this time of year, advice about achieving goals is abundant. All these tips, tricks, secrets, steps and programs are great, but they can create an information log jam that is immobilizing. I am craving something "simple", so I offer it to you here.
My simple truth is this:
Building (as in my art career) requires that I actually DO things.
"Building" is a strong action word. Thinking, dreaming and wishing, while vital to an artist's creative vision, can divert us from getting the job done. I admit -- I hate doing stuff I don't want to do, and that may be boring or scary. I especially dislike doing things that may spot-light skill areas that I am still perfecting.
Building an art career requires you to DO things about which you may not be perfectly confident, or for which you may have no education, training, or experience!
Yet, it is only in the DOING of these things that you can learn and succeed.
Think about gamblers who play the slot machines. They lose most of the time, but the reward of the occasional win is so delicious that they will persevere. This is the power of "intermittent reinforcement". Use it to your advantage. More DOING increases your skills and your chances of scoring "the win" -- the sale, the gallery, the publicity etc. -- that will spur you on to more DOING (and winning.)
At first you may want to consider just DOING as its own reward.
Occasionally DOING will reward you beyond your expectations.
Take writing this blog for example. Writing is like "pulling teeth" for me. But I do it, and I am deeply rewarded by connections with many beautiful artists -- who I have not yet met -- and who are out there in the real world struggling with my same issues.
Well said.
ReplyDeleteI just hope reading blogs counts as doing - since it seems to distract me a great deal from my other "doings". I am enjoying reading yours!
I LOVE reading your blog posts! I also love the CopyBlogger blog link you posted! Such fantastic things to read, think about, and DO!
ReplyDeleteI understand the comment above (from kathy casey) with worrying about time spent reading blogs, but if they help to broaden my thinking and educate me, then it is time well spent.
P.S. I love your mandala art! And that coloring book is such a cool idea and would be a great gift!