Time Management & Motivation / ART BIZ + FULL TIME JOB & PARENTHOOD - Video series
Here you can find the new video about Time Management and Motivation.
Enjoy
Or if you prefer to read, here's the video transcript:
Hello and welcome back to this video series about how to run your art biz while working full time and parenthood.
I was just thinking now… I could have picked an easier title, this one is a mouthful 😁 but I think it properly incapsulates how busy life feels at this moment in time.
But look… Things will get better, easier, and maybe we’ll find a new title for these videos too.
Today we talk about time management and staying motivated.
I’ll just start off by saying that if you are at the very early stages of the idea of your art business, you should definitely alleviate the pressure to “perform” and take the rest of this video as a guide for the future.
If you’re just starting out, use this time to experiment with your art and embrace mistakes, because it’ll help a lot down the line…
If you feel like you’re over the experimenting phase and ready for the next steps, then this video is for you…
Look, quite likely you are already being pulled in so many directions, your little ones, your job and life sometimes seem to be designed to not make you paint or do the work you have to do.
And don’t get me wrong, you’re going to have days where, no matter how much you’ve planned to work on your art biz, it simply won't happen. Not because you don’t want to, but just because life gets in the way.
I had a day like that just a couple of weeks ago, and there was nothing I could do about it. Our childminder was sick, I had to take the full day off to spend with my baby. While I was very happy to be spending the day together, I also had my mental list of all I had to do and simply couldn’t. So, I thought, 'Okay, perfect, when baby's asleep after lunch, I’ll get some work done.' And guess what? Baby had other plans and did not fall asleep. Look, it happens.
But today, I don’t want to talk about those emergency days. I want to focus on the routine days because those are the ones that make the difference in the long run. If every day you do a little bit of work towards your goal, then once in a while, it’s okay if you have to deal with emergencies and take the day off.
Working on that consistency is where the magic happens.
Consistency in your art business is a blend of three key ingredients: passion for your work, dedicated time to nurture that passion, and steady progress towards your goal.
We touched upon the importance of defining your goal in the introductory video, emphasising how crucial it is for sustainable practice in the art world and we’ll get into more details again in the next videos.
Setting goals isn't just about deciding on an endgame; it's about defining a to do list that keeps you aligned with your artistic vision and business aspirations. It's really like the lighthouse guiding your journey even when you’re completely lost and defeated.
Your Goal
Defining your goal will vary depending on where you are in your art business journey.
For those in the early stages or contemplating where to begin, a foundational goal could be developing a small but consistent body of work to put up for sale on your website.
This is a tangible goal and should provide the blueprint for your next steps, towards a concrete objective.
For the seasoned artists, those who have navigated these initial waters already, your goals might evolve. Perhaps it's about amplifying your online presence, or maybe also getting your name recognised in the media. This kind of goal not only boosts your visibility but also adds a layer of credibility to your work.
Once you set your final and annual goal, it acts as a compass for your actions. It helps you break down the year into actionable steps and prioritise tasks that directly contribute to achieving this goal.
This clarity in direction is invaluable because it transforms a confused journey into a structured path paved with purposeful actions.
Remember, goal setting in art isn't about rigid milestones; it's about giving direction to your creative energy and business efforts. It's about aligning your daily actions with your ultimate vision, ensuring that every business decision is a step towards a future where your art thrives.
In the upcoming videos, I'll delve deeper into goal setting, but we were talking about consistency…
And the best way to stay consistent is to find time that works with your busy schedule, so that you can work on your goals.
I’ll give you an example of how I organise my days.
I’m a morning person, and my creative brain is at its best in the morning. I know very well that painting at night for me is a big no-no, and also doing admin work for my biz is no good. I’ve tried in the past but I’m just too tired and at night I’m more likely to make mistakes. To ruin a painting or to add the wrong link to a newsletter.
So morning is what works for me. For you it might be different.
My alarm clock goes off at 5am. I get up, feed the cats, make myself a cup of tea and then I start working on the business side of things around 5:15.
I work on my website, create emails, write the script of this video, finalise video content for my courses and plan my instagram posts.
Around 7am baby is awake so I close my computer and the family day starts.
At the moment I’m working full time and I’m remote. So this set up works very well with balancing baby and art, because as soon as I’m done with work I’m a mum again.
At 9pm, once baby’s asleep, I’m exhausted and book in hand I go to bed myself.
This is what my Monday to Friday looks like, with some exceptional days here and there where I go to the office. But even in the days I go to the office I get up earlier to put in some art work biz or I use the time on the train to create some instagram posts.
If I’m hosting a workshop or having a 1-on-1, they are usually in the evening because it’s easier for people. If I know I have one of those coming up, I prepare all the material I need in the mornings prior and then I just have to show up on a zoom call.
Saturdays, before I had my baby, were painting days. I was in the studio for 6-8 hours straight, forgetting about the world, lunch and everything else. I was just painting.
At this specific moment in time, as my husband is building our home on Saturdays too and he’s away, I get to spend the full day with baby and I love it. So I get up when baby wakes up around 7am and we spend the day together. Best days ever!
On Sunday mornings I’m in the studio, usually from 9am to 1pm. As it’s not much I try to concentrate on what needs to be done, whether it’s a commission or preparing for an art show.
I used to have more time for experimentation but now as the studio time is limited I really have to focus. But it’s ok, things will change again.
So this is what my week looks like, almost every week of the year. My only exception are holidays and the month of February when I run my February Art Challenge. During the Challenge I paint 1 artwork a day for the full length of the month.
In February I still get up early but instead of art biz, I paint. I try to start and finish up the painting before baby wakes up but sometimes I need to finalise the artwork after dinner.
Ok, that was a lot of insight in my personal life, but as you see it’s also what works for us at this moment in time.
Things will evolve.
Look, I am tired, I’m not going to tell you I’m not.
But guess what? I am tired because life with a toddler is hard, not because I dedicate time to my art business. Because I’m tired even if I do not wake up early.
And there are moments where things go completely sideways or I’m sick, or baby is sick where I simply can’t get up or take an hour or two to work on my art. But it’s ok, life will get in the way.
In some moments, I feel like this is too much. But I also know that feeling overwhelmed is a sign that I care deeply about my art and the business I’’m building around it.
It's okay to take things one step at a time, to adjust your plans as you go, and to remind yourself that you're capable of more than you know. Your art business, like your art itself, is a creative process.
That’s why staying consistent is key to progress. It pushes you forward even on those days where you feel like doing absolutely nothing.
Make time
The mental shift that will help you with setting up a routine that works for you is that you don't have to find the time, you have to make it.
If you have a full time job and little ones, you won’t find time. But if you set up your alarm clock before everyone else gets up, you’ll make time for your art biz. Or if you stay up late, you’ll make time for your work.
I’m a firm believer that you can alway make time for things that interest you.
Look, I’m not here to tell you to cancel all your plans and to never watch Netflix ever again, but some time, in a busy schedule, needs to be created for your art. And if this is important to you, you’ll make time. There’s no other way.
30 minutes here, 15 tomorrow, an hours the following day. But show up consistently, because it’s really there you’ll see progress.
Motivation
And maybe you ask, Elisa, how do you sacrifices sleep to write this video? Well, I’m glad you asked.
The reality is that you can have all the time management strategies on the world, an alarm clock that goes off at 5am and all the rest, however you need to find your personal way to stay motivated when you don’t feel like doing the work. What pulls you out of bed. Because otherwise the work won’t get done. And you’ll hit snooze. And you won’t get up. Or you won’t stay up late.
If I was to wait for inspiration to strike when I want to do the work for my art biz… nothing I have created over the last years would be what it is now.
Keeping yourself motivated is what makes the difference, day after day, when the days are good and you sell loads or when the days are absolute the worst and you question yourself, you ability to create art and your ability to run your business.
My personal mantra when the alarm clock goes off at 5am is to think: “I’ll regret it if I don’t”.
Some people count 1-2-3, some other 3-2-1. Some others visualise how much money they want in their bank account.
I just think I’ll regret it if I don’t. I think about the fact that if I don’t get up to do it, then I’ll spend the day thinking I could have done it.
And it works. I’m up.
Once I’m on the couch (rarely at a desk) with my cup of tea and Billie - my cat, keeping a watchful eye - then I’m ready. No distractions, just focused, productive time spent on all the invisible tasks that keep my art business alive.
Look, I know very well that working in isolation can be challenging, finding the motivation to do things only for yourself sometimes is really hard, especially when you're balancing a lot of different things at once. There are days where you have to do things you hate and it’s all on you. There are days filled with self doubt and nobody else there to guide you out of the misery of the moment.
To combat this, it’s very important to stay connected with the art community. Engage in virtual meet-ups or local artist gatherings. A shared experience or a piece of advice from a fellow artist can be life changing as well as a form of inspiration and motivation.
These connections can be your lifeline on tough days. Because sometimes it feels like you’re the only one facing that challenge, or you are about to do some tech work you have absolutely no idea about. In those days, reach out for help.
If you have a supportive spouse, talk to them. They see how much work you put in, and how much you care. Hopefully you get support from your family, and maybe your kids are super excited to see your work on the wall.
If you are a single parent, make sure you talk to someone in the art community.
I’ve recently had a few really tough days, struggling with my mental health, not making sales when I was expecting some and 2 tech updates I had to look into and ahhhh it sucks.
It makes you feel like you want to give up. All of it. Why am I even doing this?
I personally feel the tiredness and struggles and mistakes of all the times I didn’t make it. It’s like they hit you hard on the face, all at once. But it’s a feeling I allow myself to be in only for an hour or two. There in my misery, crying my eyes out.
I’m not going to pretend I don’t ugly cry when things go wrong. But it’s a temporary wallowing, because for me the objective, it’s so clear, a part of me is already there. I can’t give up. So I’m working towards that idea, that goal.
I know very well where I want to be, I’m obsessed with that idea. I can see my goal: I know what I’m wearing, where I am in the house and how much I make.
The dream has become a goal, and that leads to a series of task I need to accomplish to get there.
We all face tough days where everything seems to go wrong. When this happens, step back, take a breather, and practice some self-care, while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. Reach out to other artists or mentors who understand your journey. Remember, it's okay to take a break and reset. This isn’t a race.
And then, something I personally need to get better at, is to celebrate every small achievement.
Whether it's finishing a piece, making a sale, or just sticking to your planned work schedule, every small victory is a step in the right direction. Acknowledging progress, no matter how minor, can significantly boost your motivation and keep the creative energy flowing.
You are doing what so many people dream about, so take a minute to tell yourself how well you’re doing, even when everything is going to sh*t, smile and give yourself a pat on the back, because you are doing great!
To every artist watching, remember, your art adds unique beauty to the world, and your efforts to balance creation with life's demands are truly commendable. It's not about having time; it's about making time for what sets your soul on fire. On those days filled with doubt, remind yourself why you started. Your passion is your power, and your art is your voice. Let it be heard, let it be seen.
And speaking of making your art seen, how do we ensure it not only reaches the eyes but also the hearts (and wallets) of our audience? Stay tuned for our next video, where we'll dive into the nuts and bolts of "Pricing and Financing Your Art." We'll uncover how to value your work not just emotionally but financially, and how to manage the finances of your art business without compromising your creativity or your peace of mind. Whether you're making your first sale or looking to expand your art into a sustainable income, I've got insights and strategies just for you.
Don't miss it – because your art deserves the right price, and you deserve to thrive.
If you're looking for personalised guidance, check out my 1-on-1 offerings.
Stay tuned for the next video in this series where we'll dive into pricing and financing your art. It's going to be insightful, and I can't wait to share it with you.
In the meantime, learn to see yourself there, wherever success is for your art and business.
What’s one big goal you have for your art this year? Let’s put it out into the universe and start making it happen!
Ciao ciao
