I have been making art my whole life. I spent one summer in Hawaii when I was 18 cooking in a restaurant. Other than that I have never held a job. I have always made art. So I have gotten used to the ups and downs of working for myself. I have had to find ways to learn anything new I wanted to pursue. If I wanted to teach workshops I had to figure out how one goes about this…if I wanted to use oil paint I had to learn this too. When you start adding all the things up a creative might need to know it can feel daunting. Who knew we needed to learn about websites, photography, social media, pricing, galleries, leases on studios and time management? All I wanted to do was make art!
Every time I start something new I am reminded of how challenging it can be. There only is so much energy in the day. Often the thought of taking on any new learning can feel exhausting and inhibit us from beginning. How can I possibly do one more thing if I am already tired?
Well luckily, and this is something I often forget, the starting of something new, an infusion of new learning in your life, provides just the right amount of extra energy you need to succeed.
Here are the three primary sources of energy and where to find them so that you can accomplish that next big thing.
New gives you energy.
There is nothing like starting something new to wake you up. If you are slightly outside your comfort zone then growth is occurring and this is energizing. It might be scary but it is also energizing. This energy boost is used to get you through the beginning phase of starting something new. You merely need to begin.
Small, successful steps
Sometimes a new project or direction can be overwhelming. It can often feel this way when trying to accomplish too much, too soon. It is essential to take small steps and learn to really appreciate incremental learning. If, at the end of the day, you have accomplished one small step then congratulate yourself. Take the energy from the small wins so you may continue to achieve them every day. After so many years of taking on the next big thing, I have finally learned to feel pretty satisfied if in my day I merely “move towards” in any way, my long-term goal. If you can perceive your process of getting there as successful, then more likely than not, you will be.
Tell others what you are doing
When you share with friends or colleagues what you are attempting to do several positive, energizing things happen. Firstly, that person often will have words of encouragement or some insights that might be helpful. Their reaction is often positive because everyone wants to change aspects of their lives or their careers and by your attempt to change yours, offers them inspiration to do the same. You have, in fact, given them something quite valuable and in return they are looking for ways to help you.
[Tweet “”The universe is listening to those who are willing to speak their dreams and desires clearly.” – Nicholas Wilton”]
The next benefit is really the most important one. By actually speaking out loud what it is that you are trying to accomplish, you are in many ways articulating to yourself the outcome that you desire. From my experience, I see how this clarification of intention has a way of bringing your desired outcome more easily.
I don’t know why this is so, but it is almost as if the universe is listening to those who are willing to speak their dreams and desires clearly. Once heard, people show up, alignments happen and life in general just seems to send help your way.
This mysterious wonderful aspect of life is often buried under the to do lists, and forgotten in the monotony of the day to day. Stepping forward with some degree of faith to try to do something new brings this somewhat elusive, beautiful truth to the forefront again.
And perhaps, for just this fact alone, it might be time to try, today, to start that next big thing.
What is your next new thing and have you begun?
In gratitude, Nicholas
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world on our Art2Life Instagram account or learn more here about Art2Life.
My next new thing? getting better at composition and making paintings with more than one figure. Have made a start – mainly getting all my reference material so far and drawing, but feel have accomplished quite a lot considering had a hand op 3 months ago (keeping a record over at https://www.facebook.com/jane.gardiner1/media_set?set=a.10153356596391289.1073741850.648261288&type=3 as well as the blog )
Merci ! Happy fall! Much success to you! Just hung new exhibitions yesterday at Famous 4, chadwicks of london, MV. Love your purposeful words in art. Collect art! kellyannartsalon.com
So truE! The Universe is an interactive entity! Remarkable in its responsiveness!
I have been praying to be granted the ability to make money work for me, am learning modern calligraphy, and practicing painting water color portrait. I’ve been reading money related books and practicing my calligraphy and portrait everyday. God help me so I stay strong because I am totally scared actually, but hopeful nevertheless.
I wholeheartedly agree and embrace all three of your primary sources of invigorating energy. I have always wondered why it is that I want to keep trying new things, whether it is a new medium, scaling up, scaling down, or throwing very disparate colors together. Why can’t I just do ten more of what I just did so successfully? It is the energy I receive back by doing so; it undoubtedly leads to new information which is added to the file of art life skills. I am bored the minute I recognize myself repeating myself; life is to short to say the same thing twice.
Working full time in a studio is long and sometimes lonely, but even if at the end of an 8 hour day I haven’t created something I absolutely love (which is usually the case), I can always look back at what I did and find something positive. If I organized my studio, gessoed some new panels, or started several new paintings that still have a long way to go, this is progress and much of what we do as artists is (let’s face it) not always about fun or even about painting. There are so many hats we have to wear. As long as I’ve worn at least one hat, and accomplished something art related that had to be done, I feel satisfied and content it was a step in the right direction.
With regard to sharing and telling others what I am up to in my studio, I have also become very active on Facebook and have started quite faithfully writing in my blog, posting on Instagram and sending out a monthly newsletter since the beginning of the year. I never envisioned how valuable this social network could be until I started posting what I was doing; it seems the world is a very supportive place. This step has also led to important and meaningful new relationships within the art world, as well as being included in two international exhibitions (one a future solo show).
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Nick!
My next new thing is creating a strong consistent body of work as a new mom. Being a new mom is helping my art practice in a surprising positive, proactive way. Now my studio time is very precious because i have less time to myself, which in fact helps me to be more focused & manage my time more wisely. I would like to manage my time as efficiently as possibly & maximize my energy to its fullest & be engaged in the work to the best of my ability.
I started making myself the energizing smoothies Nick recommended in the previous post.
Awesome recipe by the way, yesterday I added a tablespoon of Cashew Nut Butter for extra protein & a nectarine to add a bit more sugar.
Im sure this new ritual will be more rewarding than a cup of coffee & bagel with cream cheese.
I am continuing to teach at the Richmond Art Center this Fall with an exciting new class, Color Theory & Painting the Urban Environment. I believe being a new mom is teaching me about patience, vulnerability, & accepting myself where I am today, rather than giving myself a hard time about where i am not. I am learning to celebrate small steps in my day rather than obsess & worry about the end result or compare myself to other successful painters who I should not be comparing myself to.
I am working on showing myself to the world as discussed in a previous post as well as practicing mindfulness while i am working. I am putting forth a search for extended representation outside the Bay Area & looking forward to new & exciting opportunities.
Thank you for reading my mind, Nicholas! I have been struggling with some new ideas with the fun jewelry line I make. And by struggling, I mean avoiding.