As an artists, we are often told to take every opportunity that comes our way.
You never know who could be in attendance at that next gallery opening, what connections you will find at that event, or what could lead to future opportunities.
But, sometimes, it’s less about saying “yes” and more about knowing what’s ok to give up just like that.
Habits, as you likely know if you were ever a nail-biter, can be incredibly hard to break. The invisible mental habits of ours can be even more difficult to overcome, but because of this, even more important.
So, give yourself permission to quit these things. And, give yourself the time and patience to break the habits.
Give up on the “not enough” mind frame
Successful artists don’t frame things around “not enough.” There is never enough time, not enough money, not enough confidence, not enough of whatever it is at that moment to make or do what you need to do to be a successful artist.
“They all point to an underlying fear of not being enough,” says art mentor and creator of The Working Artist, Crista Cloutier. “And, once you can deal with that underlying fear, the other issues fall into place.”
Give up comparisons
Here’s the thing about comparisons: you are always going to be better at some things than other people, and worse at other things. Dwelling on either isn’t going to get you anywhere.
It can stifle your creativity as an emerging artist to compare yourself to someone who is twenty years into their career, and it can stunt your growth to compare your work to someone who is just starting out.
Instead of focusing on how you stack up next to someone else, invest that energy into comparing your recent work with the work you made six months ago, a year ago and five years ago. Have you grown? And where do you want to see yourself six months, a year, and five years in the future?
Only compare yourself to yourself.
Give up on making excuses
If you want to be a successful artist, you have to show up. You have to do the work.
If you are like any other artist in the world, you probably have said to yourself at one time something along the lines of, “I can’t go to the studio today because I’m too busy/ too heartbroken/ my family needs me too much/ [insert any excuse here.]”
And you know what? It feels good to do that. It feels justified and reasonable and like you are doing the right thing for yourself.
But artist Suzie Baker says that this is “about our FEAR masquerading as Resistance; that thing, or idea, or busywork, or Netflix, or self-doubt, or procrastination, or rejection, that stops of from showing up and making our art”
When you stop making excuses, you can start owning the direction that you are going in—and, if need be, have the willpower to change that direction.
Give up working all the time
Sure, you have to show up to the studio even when you don’t want to do the work. But, you also have to know when to leave and when to take the time to take care of your body, your health, and your emotional and social well-being.
You can’t make your best work if you aren’t investing in your body and mind as well.
We have seen artists sacrifice both of these in the name of their craft. But, you need your body on the most basic of levels to create your work. Successful artists know that their success is a marathon and not a sprint, so you need to maintain your health to stay in the game.
Make time in your schedule to stretch, exercise, go for walks, cook healthy meals and have conversations with your peers, family, and friends.
Give up taking uninformed advice to heart
“When are you going to get a real job?”
“When are you going to grow up?”
“At what point does an artist realize they are not talented enough to ‘make it’”
“Must be nice not to have to work.”
“Must be nice to only work when you feel like it.”
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