Do you ever feel like you know what you want to accomplish but get overwhelmed in the process? I do. Whether I have given myself a goal of making a whole new series of paintings or dreaming of doing a workshop in Morocco. It doesn’t matter what the thing(s) is I am trying to accomplish, somewhere along the way my energy drops and I lose my way.
I recently was reminded of the solution to this problem by one of my artist friends and business mentor, Tom Miller, who recently facilitated an off site for the Art2life team.
It has to do with understanding the difference between thinking big, the mindset that allows you to come up with the big idea in the first place, and the smaller, more patient mindset of moving slowly, taking the small steps in order to accomplish your goals.
In the beginning when we set off dreaming and scheming that next big idea there is always excitement and passion. Finally we are identifying what we desire. It feels awesome. It is crucial we say what we want to do. Letting the cat out of the bag and setting an intention is the first step in accomplishing anything we desire.
However, once we start along the path to actually doing it, the luster and enthusiasm often diminishes. This is, I believe, because the mindset of thinking big is different from the mindset of accomplishment. In fact, they are opposite. This mindset of accomplishment is about moving slowly.
This second phase mindset is often one of patience, planning and small incremental steps. By its very nature it is just not as exciting. Imagining a series of 10 paintings all over 7 ft. tall is exciting. Cleaning out your garage or studio so you have more room to work is not. Adding to this problem is that there seems to be a million small steps, many of which feel mundane or tiresome, that all have to be taken in order for that dream to be realized.
What has been especially useful for me is to redefine these smaller steps, almost imbue them with more importance so I can stay on track. Here is what I do:
I create a roadmap. I write every step down I can think of that needs to be taken to arrive at my goal. I put them in order. These are like the stepping-stones to cross the river. It is relatively quick to do this and what you have at the end is a visual pathway with your goal at the end of it. There it is! All the steps leading to what you desire. This planning phase is exciting as it is so clearly connected to your desire. You are thinking big but also slow at the same time.
Even taking the first step moves you towards your goal. Not only can you see it, but also your progress is measurable which is super energizing. This is such a simple idea but it has made all the difference in the world for me. You might be in the weeds for a while but knowing where you are going by clearly seeing that star overhead makes all the difference in the world.
How do you accomplish what you desire? Please let the rest of us know by leaving a comment below. Thanks!
28 Comments
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 in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
This is so true! It’s like planting a garden – you go to the greenhouse and buy beautiful perennials, picturing the garden you will have in full bloom, seeing yourself sitting in your yard at sunset, the light golden. But if you don’t think of the work involved, the time spent digging a place to plant, removing the weeds, placing the stones to keep out the grass, planning a watering system, reading about the plants so they have what they need to thrive, all of this tedious – all you will have in the end is a picture in your mind and dead plants and money wasted. Devotion and planning are what we admire when we see a painting well-executed, a garden to behold, a life well lived. It’s all in the details – the tedious, tedious details.
I like Patricia’s example of planting a garden. I can get so caught in the details, I think thats where you have hold your ground.
Yes her example is so right on…
Beautiful metaphor Patricia…Exactly on point–thanks..
Brilliant, as always. Thank you Nick. This is so helpful right now. I get so impatient and overwhelmed with what feels like chaos when reality doesn’t yet match my vision. Thank you for the reminder on process and perspective.
Again, perfect topic at the perfect time. I feel so grateful for your guidance. I know you have hundreds of students, but it always feels like your bits of inspiration and advice are in perfect sync with where I am in my art practice!
This week I feel I have finally “recovered” from the end of the CVP program:-) and am taking steps you spelled out in your business primer. Look for my website soon! It feels good to be in the “right track”.
Thank you!
Awesome Terry!
yes not only drafting your painting but whole the idea from beginning to end is very helpful. I paint often like out of the mood without any long preparations and plan, spontaneously, but it really needs all the way your breath to finish the flow you are in for not to stuck somewhere in the midst. So yes the better idea is actually a draft what can work for you and gives you time to make corrections even then in the process. I love your ‘lessons’ in how you get from A to Be Nicholas, though I am not too much a fan of abstract art but I combine this form of art with when i do my drafts, but the workouts are more detailed concrete realistic. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! They are very helpful because no matter what your passion in art is it is applicable.
yes not only drafting your painting but whole the idea from beginning to
end is very helpful. I paint often like out of the mood without any
long preparations and plan, spontaneously, but it really needs all the
way your breath to finish the flow you are in for not to stuck somewhere
in the midst. So yes the better idea is actually a draft what can work
for you and gives you time to make corrections even then in the
process. I love your ‘lessons’ in how you get from A to Be Nicholas,
though I am not too much a fan of abstract art but I combine this form
of art with when i do my drafts, but the workouts are more detailed
concrete realistic. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with
us! They are very helpful because no matter what your passion in art is
it is applicable.
You are so right Brachaim… the principles I like to teach are applicable to any kind of art–abstract or realistic…
As always, great advice! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and helping us with ours!
You are welcome Dharla…
Most excellent post. I often loose site of the end goal when I’m working on the small steps. It does tend to slow down momentum. I can see how putting together a list of alll the steps could really keep the momentum. Thanks for this tip Nicholas!
Hi Janet! nice to see you here…
Thank you, Nicholas! I love what Patricia said, “It all in the details – the tedious, tedious details!” That’s a description of how I get off track–by getting bored thinking of what all has to be done. But, once I start in again, I actually like details, so making a road map with all the steps sounds like a great idea. I’ll try that. Thanks!!
Great..roadmaps are a blast to create…
Exactly on point, I am working on 8 pieces at the moment and it seems like I have been interacting with them forever but I know what my end vision for them is. There are alot of small steps to be had first, plus some altering, I am definetely a list girl, so I understand completely. But by going slow I know they will turn out how I intended.
Awesome…
What an awesome article, Nicholas! I am in an artist’s funk right now. Being pulled back and forth between the business side (working with a web builder to create my site) and then having to switch to the other side of my brain for the creative painting. I spent 2 years working on a series and study of color. With it complete, I haven’t quite figured out my next creation. Maybe by writing down my thoughts, I can begin to sort out what I want to create and how to focus on getting there. Being an artist is tough work, at times, Thank you for the reminder to slow down and take it a step at a time. I’m going to work on that list tomorrow.
glad this helped! Plan the steps you need to complete..then do one or two small moves towards it– each day or week…-schedule time in for your art making…
This is such good advice. So simple and practical. You have motivated me to make a list of what I need to do to get my studio organized and cleaned up. I get inspired so often and I don’t want to take the time to do the mundane stuff. I just want to do the fun creative stuff. Sounds like a child doesn’t it?! You are right. If I have a list in front of me it won’t seem so overwhelming. Just take one step st a time. Blessings on you Nicholas.
Thanks Buddy! wow I am impressed–taking on cleaning the studio is a big one!
That is so right on. In my life, I am always creating lists! I love being able to cross things off my list and see progress being made! I also do this regarding my art biz. It is the only way to get things done!
Lindy- I too love lists.. seeing measurable results is key!
When I have an idea I have to reduce it to a notion, put it on the back burner, almost let it go so that it becomes a subconscious desire. Why, because the big idea is overwhelming and knowing where it’s going, for me, kills the creative journey. However, most of the time, that subconscious idea prevails, and what I end up with is pretty much what I wanted in the first place.
Hi Nick
Happy Funday
Once again you’ve reached a part on me that needed to “Tap In”
When taking a business management course years ago while developing my fabric line Islandreams, I learned how to create a FLOW CHART which is Working backwards through a timeline FROM the Dream through a step by step process TO the beginning and reach that goal.
You’ve inspired me to use that tool again, as I often have several plates twirling at once (imagine a circus performer) one seems to need a twirl while I’m doing something else, hence it will wobble and fall.I get distracted and overwhelmed
A Road Map to help me along my path!!!Brilliant
THANKS
For me the best reason for an outline of my plan is that it reminds me of the particular art materials I will need to accomplish it. This does apply particularly strongly to (1) paintings outside my own studio and (2) anything called for in a commission or an exhibit with a theme. It still must be my heart in the art — so I have to find a way to include the outside influences.
PS — my notes are often in shorthand leftover from school days.
I’m so lazy and unsystematic about process , how on earth can I change my spots?I’m frightened that anything which delays me putting brush to board will be used by me to head me off my precious playtime. But I also completely get the idea.Another dilemma…