Preparation Tools - Graeme Smith - Bog

Would you like to be a successful artist?Being organized is essential for a successful professional artist. Use these ideas in conjunction with your present approaches.Success seems mythical, like the Holy Grail which the Crusaders travelled the world seeking. For professional artists the Holy Grail is to create more sales and build income. So how will you know you are a success?That's for you to decide but consider these comments: 'Strong self-discipline and intelligent self-management are in my view the fundamental building blocks for all success.' (p77)There will be disappointments along the way, that's how we learn. Each disappointment is a test of your commitment. They also add to your experience and strength. In the end your commitment is the key to your success. (Don Talbot - Australian swimming coach in "Nothing but the best")If you are to be successful then you need to be well organized!Elite athletes reap rewards by investing in themselves.So should artists.BUT if you put it off it will never happen!But there can be no half measures. If you want to be a successful artist then you must do the job properly. Either do it or forget it!You can gain knowledge.But until you acquire experience acting on that knowledge you won't move ahead.You will stay at your present state!Improvement won't happen straight away.It won't even happen at all!You need a professional approach to your career. The way of the leisure artist will not get you there! Set up your future earnings. It will take time and a little money in the beginning.But if you wait until Christmas, next year, whenever the 'right' time to start is, All that happens is the whole process is delayed. There needs to be much work done NOW.But with little actual expense initially, a start can be made if time is available. Then build, or maybe re-build, the foundations of your artistic journey! Possibly other things might need to be foregone, delayed or accelerated.To facilitate a speedy transition to this phase of your artistic career.If you want to be a professional artist painting well is not sufficient.Many artists do that!You also need to be successful as a business.That's quite different!Visualize success. Success is getting to another level.Imagine what that will actually feel like when you experience it. Then you'll be more determined to make it a reality. If you can think it, you can achieve it!Develop a sense of self-belief. Make decisions based on the belief that you can do what you set out to do. Don't give failure a chance.Become more competent. Set goals to improve your ability, skills and knowledge. Do this regularly and consistently. Champion sports people practice regularly! Usually this is more than those who are not champions!Believe in yourself. This is the first step on the path to success.So you must at least have done this to some degree. Now build from that beginning and make a series of small additional steps. Reflect back from time to time to appreciate progress that you have made.Grow through experience. You will grow every time you rise to a challenge and learn something. Sometimes this is what not to do, at other times it will be worth repeating.Savor successes. At first they might be small, but that's how everyone starts.Keep track of them for that helps you realize later successes are better.Turn negative situations into positive ones. View mistakes as problems or challenges.They are at least opportunities to gain experience.So increase your opportunities. Expand your network of people.Through new relationships, you open the way to new opportunities.