Success Is Not Measured By a Scoreboard
We need to enjoy the daily aspirations we are participating in!
Here is the definition I found in a google search for Aspirations: “a hope or ambition of achieving something.”
Here is something else I read when looking for the definition of the word, “aspirations.”
What is an example of aspiration?
Aspiration is defined as the act of having motivation. An example of someone exhibiting aspiration to be a famous singer is someone practicing and taking lessons daily. Aspiration is the act of getting rid of something from the body. An example of aspiration is removal of tissue for biopsy.
Well, I am not trying to get rid of something from my body! I am an artist and creating something I love.
I saw a bit about a tennis player this morning on television. In it they mentioned the idea of success not being measured by the end product which would be winning a tennis match… or becoming #1 in the world of professional tennis.
I apply this thought about being successful in my teaching and about creating art … and success in “passing it forward” from my own years of trying to be a better artist.
What thought is that?
Love the process of what you are doing. That is my thought! It doesn’t matter what you are doing, but to enjoy and love what you are doing!
The “motivation” mentioned in the above description of the word “aspirations” is the element that is most important.
I talk all the time about knowing why you want to do something. I am doing an online program spread over two months for a pastel society and the gist of my lessons are: “It’s the journey, not the destination” besides teaching some painting techniques to up the level of their art.
We should love what we want to do. That is one motivation for doing it. Of course, we may want to make money doing what we love. Really?
So you want to make money at what you love to do.
Good luck with that. You may love what you do, but that won’t automatically bring in money.
Number One … There must be a way to get the product out in front of potential buyers.
It takes perseverance, good work habits, and research into marketing techniques besides doing the work that could bring in money. There are many blogs, books and articles that talk about marketing.
Perseverance is another important word I used.
You may think selling your “product” is success. There is the idea of there being a scoreboard of some kind. But it is not so. Maybe I should say… selling should not be the measure of success. Creating, and enjoying the creation part, is how I measure success!
Times can be tough and the economy may be a factor. What you love may be a tough sell! Who is going to want what you are selling? That is where some of the research comes into play. Finding your “people” that would be interested in owning what you are producing is a hard one. It takes work and perseverance!
I have probably painted somewhere around 2,500 or more “paintings” and that does not include many that never were finished. Some of them sold… and honestly quite a number of them sold. It was hard work.
I’m still making art, and still marketing and selling. And, it is still hard work. I do not have a formula after 50 years. Times are always changing … and so is my art!
So what has research got to do with all this?
If you are measuring your success by the sales you have, then you need to know where your potential customers may be! Where do they spend money on the type of thing you produce? Location can be a very important aspect, along with several other ideas. Finding your customers is important and it drives us all crazy at times … because it changes over the months and years.
Subject matter in paintings is a key element. As an example, people that love horses attend events. Those events are located in pretty specific areas of the country. There must be galleries in those places. Find them. Visit them virtually, and if possible, also in person! I would not place my artwork somewhere I have not seen in person, or came highly recommended by someone I know that has been there.
Apply this thought to your own genre of work. As a landscape painter mostly, I think of areas people travel to for the scenery! Or maybe they go for hiking and camping. I hope you see where I am going with “location” being important.
Besides physical / retail outlets?
You definitely need a website, and possibly a blog to promote the work yourself. Researching how best to send newsletters, and how to have people sign up for those newsletters. These would be people that are interested in your subject matter! So doing the research is a huge element, and can help in the motivation to continue doing what you do!
Writing about your work, and the ability to photograph, edit and upload the images are key thoughts in the above paragraph. Just being the “artist” is not enough skill to get your work in front of potential clients.
I need skills in those supporting aspects which takes time away from the product I am creating. I have to take pride in learning how to use the computer, the camera, several different programs to help in promoting my art.
Success is not measured by a scoreboard.
You should enjoy all the different steps in what you love to do. Thought I am speaking from the aspect of being an artist, the same can be said about any career you do.
Daily enjoyment is the most important factor in a life well lived.
What is your motivation is a question you always need to re-define!
Giving new meaning to what you do is an evolving process, a growing one!
But love of the process is number one!