The Case For Focusing Your Creative Energy and How To Do It
You have so many ideas. You’re full of creativity and ready to apply it to any material you come across.
You paint for the pleasure, you paint commissioned work, you make jewelry, you snap photos, and you teach. You know who you are. You’re going 90 miles an hour in every direction with your hair on fire.
People say you should focus – pick one thing and get on with it.
There’s that “s” word again: should. Beware of this word. I’ve been guilty of using it a lot myself, but I’m becoming increasingly aware of how dangerous it is.
The only thing you should do is to be in integrity with your goals, your purpose, and your vision. How this manifests itself in your life is a delicate negotiation between you and the Universe.
There is, however, a reasonable argument to be made for concentrating your creative energy in one area.
The Case for Focusing Your Art
When your work is moving in multiple directions simultaneously, at least four problems arise.
Behind the Scenes: Rebranding Art Biz Coach
Ta da! We did it!
We have a new look at Art Biz Coach, and I’m using today’s post to give you the inside scoop on how all of the pieces came together.
Back in January, I asked if your brand was missing you because I had concluded, with the help of my mastermind buddies, that my personality was a little absent from the Art Biz Coach brand, especially in the visual manifestation of Art Biz Coach.
So I hired Rachel Dunham of Brand Therapy to work some magic on me. We’ve been working on this for more than two months.
The First Steps to a New Brand
I didn’t pay Rachel $75 to come up with a quick logo. I wanted a much deeper process for a more profound transformation.
22 Social Media Updates About Your Show That Won’t Bore Your Followers
You’re having an exhibition of your art. Congratulations!
The promotional postcards are designed and ready to be sent. Check! You’ve planned a couple of emails to your list. Check!
Now … what can you share with your friends, fans, and followers that is more interesting than “Come see my show!” but relates the message that they’re really going to miss out if they’re not there?
How do you tweet, post, shoot, and pin your exhibition without boring your followers and yourself?
Say No Without the Guilt
When someone asks something of you, there are a couple of ways you can respond: Yes or No.
When you say yes to everything, you are probably saying no to yourself and many of your art goals. You are saying that what someone is asking or offering is more important than your agenda.
You can’t even do everything that’s on your list right now, so how do you ensure that your art business remains a priority when so many people are asking for your time?
How to Have a Productive Day
I am not immune to unproductive days, and I’ve had more than my fair share of them recently.
In order to get back on track, I’ve regrouped and, with the help of a coach, reminded myself of these principles. They really work – when you do them.
Start The Day With 3 Intentional Steps
I swear by the importance of these first three steps. When I don’t do them, I am significantly more overwhelmed and stressed out. Doing them brings peace of mind and helps me start my day on my terms rather than diving in and responding to everything being pushed at me.
Rx for Sloppy Newsletter Syndrome
There’s an epidemic going around.
Don’t panic. If it strikes, you won’t need to rush to the ER or be quarantined. But you will need to take immediate action.
Your physical health isn’t in peril, but the health of your art business is at stake.
The epidemic is SENS – Sloppy Email and Newsletter Syndrome. Let me explain the symptoms so you can self-diagnose.
Symptom 1: Missing Name
This is the most destructive of all the SENS symptoms.
