Sometimes dreams get the best of us, or moreso, ideas…get the best of us. Sometimes for us artists, designers, and illustrationdrawingjunkiewhatjamacallits start to fall for the “BIG DREAM” and then ...WOOSH! That almost touchable dream floats further away. Or it’s either a constant let down, one after another as we crawl and climb up the neverending hills. We work really hard trying to reach our goals and then something just takes the reigns away from you and it’s almost like you have absolutely zero control over it.
I’ve been there. Done that. Wrote the articles. Well, writing one now actually. ;P
A well lived life can be done if you remain:
- balanced/grounded
- focused on a variety of life goals
- keep your priorities straight
GET THE GAME. KNOW THE STRATEGY
The strategy to winning the game, to achieving success is more mediocre than you realize. Maybe it’s actually so magical and inspiring that it’s well hidden from our prying eyes. Like a beautiful, rare trinket hidden in a large attic full of boxes. We expect to find the answers in how-to books and learning the success secrets of others. Little do we realize it’s about your perspective. It’s about what your heart wants.
So, here’s a strategy for success:
We shouldn’t lose touch of the more important things, and remain true to ourselves when the the house starts to fill with unexpected gifts.
- Pretend those gifts aren’t there. Be thankful for them, but don’t let them take over your life. Live as if you didn’t know it was there.
- Keep your friends and family close, and your heart closer. Remember that we want something deeper than success. We want quality lives and to be with our family and friends. Sometimes career success is all about that. Not the success in itself.
- Surprising opportunities, big money, or unexpected success is fleeting and fickle. Don’t go head over heels for the next opportunty but live for the now. Live in the quiet moments.
I know alot of artists are always gearing for that “one day” or that “future success”.
“One day I’m going to have that!”
“One day I’ll be successful!”
“One day I will where I’m supposed to be!”
Remember, it’s not about yesterday, and it’s not about tomorrow.
It’s all about NOW.
What are you doing now that means something?
What are you about and what do you have now that you can be grateful for?
That is the magic to success. Being a success now, outside of the standards you have set. Because any standards you haven’t met now are unrealistic. You will strive and stretch for them until one day you realize you are tired, sad, and far from the goal line. It’s your perspective. If you see yourself successful now, and learn to realize the success you do really truly have, then the ones you strive for will come to you.
Success is being truly happy where you are, loving what you do, and living a life that allows you to be all that you are while being a responsible human being and loved one to others.
What would you say to other artists who want to be successful? What do you want for yourself in life?
Filed under: Art Candy, Art/Marketing, artist guide, artists, off topic | Tagged: artist guide, future, goals, life, natasha wescoat, now, past, success
Read Natasha's Review of Britney's Circus Album
Natasha's Art in Marley & Me movie
Great post - thank you for sharing!
I have been wasting a lot of time lately thinking about what I should/shouldn’t do to increase my profits in my art career/business.
This post came at the right time for me.
I am trying to switch my focus from “how can I make more money doing this?” to “how can I get the most enjoyment possible out of this?” I figure if I live by the second, then any financial success would be an unexpected bonus. Whereas, if I live by the first one, then my chances of being happy diminish because they are directly linked to something which is almost completely out of my control.
To that end… I enjoy doing demonstrations, I enjoy “teaching,” I enjoy socializing… why not share my talents with others through home beading parties and workshops? So, I am launching this venture with the expectation that I’ll meet new people and possibly make new friends, and share my love of jewellery design and craft with others.
I have been there, too. I have a lot of ‘visions’ of HUGE undertakings I want to do. Start a magazine, hand-paint a scene on my 8-month-old’s wall, create lots of wearable art…and then I think, “OH. I’m only one person. I forgot.” Patience is something I’ve had to learn the hard way. I get so fired up, so passionate, that I have to remember things take time and little goals add up. Thanks so much for your post.
Great post. As an artist, I’m always thinking about how I can make money, maybe tweaking my style to make it a bit more commercially viable, changing the size of my paintings, etc. I get so caught up with all these ideas swirling around in my head, that I fail to focus on what really matters, and that’s the quality of the work I’m creating right now. My BIG GOAL is to be successful, yes, but staying on the path that will get me there is what really matters.
[...] THE GAME. KNOW THE STRATEGY - Click here to read [...]