Ever feel like you’re struggling to stay afloat? From selling art and tracking your work to marketing and applying to art shows, running your own art business can be overwhelming. Not to mention, finding time and energy to create the art you love.
All entrepreneurs feel like this at one time or another. So, how do you cut back on stress and stay grounded?
Take control with these 5 ways to fight feeling overwhelmed. Squash your fear, find your focus, and set yourself on the path to success!
1. Decide What You Want From Your Art Business
Yamile Yemoonyah of Creative Web Biz recommends establishing one main goal for your art career. Setting just one overarching goal will help you find clarity. The Arts Business Institute suggests you ask, “What will your life be like when you are living this vision?” Think about what you want and what you don’t want. The clearer you are with your vision, the easier it will be to pursue your goal wholeheartedly.
2. Don’t Wait for the Perfect Time
Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield cautions against waiting for inspiration to strike. She advises having “relentless focus and consistent action” to reach your goals. Putting important tasks off will only contribute to feeling overwhelmed. And the more tasks that pile up, the more it seems impossible to complete them. We suggest reading Artsy Shark's Carolyn Edlund’s fantastic article on beating procrastination. Taking charge and getting organized can do wonders for stress.
3. Break Down Goals into Manageable Chunks
Set smaller goals on the path to reaching your one main goal. This will make your main goal seem less daunting and more attainable. Think about these smaller goals as points on your road map to success. Define these goals in detail and set a timeframe for completion. This will keep you motivated and focused on the tasks at hand. Also, it helps to know how to measure the success of each goal. For instance, if you want to sell $5000 worth of art, you’ll know exactly how to measure what you’ve achieved. The Art Business Institute call these S-M-A-R-T goals.
4. Find a Supporter You Can Trust
Working towards a big goal can feel intimidating. Consider finding another person to work towards your goal with. You can encourage each other, offer advice, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Chat often about achieving your individual goals. It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone and have a supporter you can trust.
5. Set Good Habits
Business of art expert Lori McNee stresses the importance of creating and maintaining good habits. Good habits will guide you and keep you focused. An example could be beginning each day with a goal in mind or reducing time-wasters. We recommend gearing your habits towards achieving your vision. Consider visualizing how your good habits will help you achieve your main goal. So, how do you set good habits that stick? Check out our article Build Better Habits, Boost Your Art Career.
“Artists are self-starters and without good habits we can float off and lose our focus. Good habits produce good results. Our effectiveness requires the integrity to act on our priorities.” -Lori McNee
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