do work

It isn't enough to want to make it. I know countless people who had great desires to 'be' something. The problem is in order to 'Be', you have to 'Do'. Some would disagree with me. I would argue that if you want to just be, than yes, you can sit under a tree waiting for divination, however if you have ambitions then you have to get off your butt and do.

There are days where I don't want to draw. I don't have an idea to work on. Often when that happens I try and force the issue, even if it is just a ten minute interlude of something creative. Sometimes good art starts from that nugget of time. Many times I just slog through it then relinquish to the lack of focus. I truly believe that forcing even that ten minutes pays long term dividends. It makes me stay on track. It keeps me from putting off goals for tomorrow. Just that simple act of forcing myself to work for ten minutes on a day I don't feel like it, helps me to see that I am chipping away at a bigger objective.

Have you ever either A) wanted to get into an exercise regimen, or B) wanted to get back into shape? Did you think that the hardest part was starting? If so, than what I am suggesting buys into the logic that if you keep moving, even just a little bit, it is easier to stay moving. Call it one of the laws of motion. Call it determination. Whatever you call it, this simple act will be one of the most important skills to help you make your dreams come true.

sunny days and staying on task

I love working from home. I love being an artist for a living. But man when the sun comes out it is so hard to stay motivated. This is how I manage it. 

Rule number 1) Get up and get to work when the weather is crummy. Just hunker down and work like crazy. This means you can take a slow start or an early departure when the days are nice. 

Rule number 2) Give yourself deadlines even if you are working on pieces that have not been bought, yet. This helps you to accomplish things to again justify the sunny day enjoyment.

Rule number 3) Do allow yourself to sneak out for a peek of what is to come. This lets you get a taste of the sunny glow to keep you motivated to finish whatever it is.

Really three rules. And I think these rules only apply to people who live above 43º latitude. Ok, maybe only to those of us who live in the ever so rainy Pacific NW. For the record it is really lovely out right now, and the rains are coming back tomorrow so I have to finish the post and go soak up a little Vitamin D.