Action Versus Reaction
Action, moving towards something deliberately is something I make an active decision about when growing my artwork and business, but it wasn't always like that.
The first two years I reacted.
Reacted to everything that came my way out of panic, including saying yes to leading a 6 week drama workshop - anyone who knows me personally knows how ridiculous a concept that is!
I lived those years in a constant head spin of project-project, day-day and week-week basis that was totally consumed with all my have to's.
Have to's' are the as things that have to get done right away to get the immediate tasks completed - they're busy work that eats time and keeps you reacting to the right now, rather than taking action towards and making time for the right, what do I want next?
Therefore, over the last two years I've been changing my mindset to one of action instead of reaction.
One way I do this is by writing down a must do each month. Must do's are things that are on my heart, that feed my soul or that push my art/business forward through active growth.
They can be to create a new sculpture or painting, reach out to a new contact, study a new technique, read a book, go on a holiday or even conquer a fear - they're things that don't need done right now but they're super important for, right, what do I want next?
What Must you do?
Can you relate to the Have to's? How quickly the day-to-day eats into some of the activities that you want to do but often don't seem to have time for?
If so, try physically writing down a list of your must do's - things that are on your heart, that will make you happy and push you towards something you want next, be it learning a new technique, going on holiday or meeting a friend.
That can be your first action towards starting to bring your must do to life.
I'd love to hear your 'must do's'- comment below and let me know.
Studio Notes
If you’d like to create more art, my bi-monthly email, studio notes is packed with strategies to make time for your creativity, plus encouragement and lessons to develop your skills.
ForM is by far my favourite group exhibition of the year to visit and I am honoured to have been one of artists involved in it this year.
If you missed the exhibition, here’s a round up.