Are you finding it challenging to keep your creative fire burning throughout the year?
Are you finding yourself doing other things throughout the day instead of finishing your art marketing to-do list or going to the studio to complete the project you are working on?
In this post, you will discover how to stay creative and productive as an artist.
How To Stay Creative And Productive As An Artist
A selling artist has many responsibilities.
Selling artists are not only the creators, but they are also in charge of marketing and selling.
If you can’t keep up with all of the responsibilities of operating an art business, the result will be a lack of sales.
Many artists do not do well with the pressure of always being on their “A” game.
The daily pressure can sometimes cause stress or discouragement.
Other artists are self-motivated and thrive under pressure.
If you have a difficult time staying motivated, I have some good news.
There are some things you can do to keep the fire burning.
Below are some strategies to help you stay creative and productive to build a thriving art business.
No Excuses
You have to get your work done, or you will not get paid.
I have been self-employed for over twenty-five years and I have learned from day one, if I don’t work I don’t get paid.
It is that simple.
There are no excuses.
If I can’t get the work done that needs to get done, it will affect my income.
If I have a terrible day, it will also affect my income.
If I put jobs off that I don’t want to do, it will affect my income.
Being responsible for the amount of income being generated is what separates an individual who is self-employed versus an individual employed by someone else.
It is easier for someone not to put in a hundred percent if it does not reflect in their weekly paycheck.
What motivates me?
I enjoy being self-employed. I enjoy the challenge and the opportunity for growth.
I accept responsibility for my actions.
If I come up with excuses for why I can’t accomplish something, I will only hurt myself and my family.
Find your motivation and be accountable for your actions.
Once you can do this, you will find that it is easy to put in the extra effort to get everything done to enjoy having a career as an artist.
Know What Needs To Get Done
Do you despise lists?
I know so many artists who hate lists.
A list will be the only tool you will have to prevent you from forgetting an important task.
For you to get extra work done ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy a vacation, you will need to have a list of things you will need to get done.
Take ten or fifteen minutes and decide what you will need to accomplish.
It is time for you to be proactive.
I always start planning a month or two in advance.
I have learned over time that there will always be distractions that will interfere with a plan.
If you give yourself enough time in advance you will significantly reduce any unnecessary stress.
Once you have your list documented, you will be able to start chipping away at it.
Take Notes
At the end of each day, take note of what you accomplished and what needs to get completed.
If something pops up in your mind throughout the day, write it down. Do not rely on your memory.
Review your notes every morning while you have your coffee.
Doing this will get you focused on what needs to get done for that day. If you know what needs to get done, you will get it done.
Do not waste your time trying to think of what you should be doing. This is a recipe for disaster.
It might take some time to get used to writing notes, but it will be something you can not live without in time.
Get It Done
Most artists work for themselves. They do not have people working for them.
If you are doing all of the work, you already know that some jobs are easier than others.
There are also some jobs that you will prefer to do over others as well.
The bottom line is, everything has to get done.
When it is time for me to do I project I am not fond of, I just do it.
I do not say, “I will get to it later.”
I do not put it off until tomorrow. I just get the job done. Then I do not have to think about it anymore.
Procrastinating is one of the main reasons I see artists fail.
Have a Routine
The best way to be productive with your time is to have a routine.
Decide what has to get done when.
You will be able to do this because you have already created a list of things that have to get done.
Everyone is different, and everyone has a different schedule.
Decide when you will be most productive for each job you have.
Write down your schedule and stick to it.
I have a set schedule for everything I do.
There is a block of time for writing blog posts, creating videos, social media marketing, creating courses, writing eBooks, communicating with potential buyers and artists, and creating art.
If I didn’t block off times for everything that I have to get done, nothing would get done.
Final Thoughts On How To Stay Creative and Productive
Selling art takes a lot of planning and dedication. It does not matter if you are selling art for extra income or you are selling art to support your family, if you are selling art you need to have a plan.
You have to be self-motivating and willing to put in your best effort every day.
The bottom line is that you need to stay creative and productive to generate a consistent income selling art.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
- What Branding Is For Creative People
- Why Consistent Blogging Drives More Traffic To Your Artist Blog
- 7 Tips to More Productive Blogging
- How To Be More Productive Marketing On Social Media
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