Natasha’s Art Candy

Sounds like a zombie movie that goes straight to video, about artist with serious issues. According to many statistics, artists tend to have.. issues. lol. But really, what human doesn’t?

This past year has been harrowing for me. Another move, new financial responsibilities, overwhelming demand for my art, the boys going to school, 10 year anniversary of a best friend passing away, and so on. I guess, in a way, this is a new chapter in my life. I’m now only four years from hitting the 3 - 0 and I still feel like I’m still a tiny kid. Age 10, and all of these responsibilities and new experiences!

What is a kid to do!?!

And I go from being the compulsive over worker, waking at 6-7 am each day, working till’ midnight or later, answering emails with lightning speed, to this rediculous slacker. Waking up at 10 am or later, sluggishly rummaging through emails and orders, barely getting one little thing done. What a putz, ey? I lost my appetite, can barely get dressed in the morning, and I’m talking to myself. No, I’m definitely not crazy. I’m not depressed, because mentally, I’m as chipper as ever. I think perhaps I’ve let my new challenges and the lack of space I have to cause claustrophobia of sorts. I’m in like this clusterf**k and don’t know how to pull myself out.

Sometimes, you just have to master the art of organization and distraction.

What you and I can do, when we get in a rut, feel overwhelmed and plain dull is:

- Make goals. Write it on a list, make a big poster, a vision board or the like and make sure you view it each day.

- Set the alarm for 7 am, or earlier if you are determined, and get up and going. Let no distractions overcome you. Have a list of what you need to do the night before, and have that set on your desk or studio door. It really helps to stay motivated when you don’t have to remember what it is you got to do.

- Try new things to keep it exciting and new. Remember that working for yourself has so many more advantages.

- Get an assistant, virtual, or in person. Have someone help manage your day, your appointments, and do bookkeeping. This is one of my biggest frustrations.

- Make sure to have new orders ready to go each day. Don’t let them pile up.

- Do bookkeeping daily or weekly. Not monthly. I tend to keep a box full of my expense slips and that’s just a mess. No more of that!

One of the frustrating parts of success is that you have a whole new slew of problems. You can get overwhelmed with the work, the new financial responsibilities, and administration of the business that it cause you to reconsider everything and make career changes. It doesn’t have to be this complicated or disparraging.