When you run your own art business, it can be tempting to put your pedal to the metal and take on more artistic projects than you have the bandwidth for. Messages like “hard work pays off” and “step outside your comfort zone” can make you feel like you’re never doing enough.
However, too much of a good thing is a bad idea. Creative energy flows the most freely when you prioritize your mental health and emotional well-being and show up as your best self, not when you’re totally overwhelmed by your to-do list.
Let’s talk about how to succeed in your artistic career while avoiding overwhelm and mental exhaustion.
Every artist has their own unique setting that makes creative work flow seamlessly from their fingertips. Whether it’s a Pinterest-worthy art studio, a well-decorated at-home office, or a creative weekend retreat, find your ideal setting for creativity and let it happen. Trying to force your artistic process in a setting that doesn’t allow for your creativity to flourish can lead to frustration, creative block, and procrastination.
This also applies to the business side of things. If you work best at a coffee shop, in your home office, at the library, or while surrounded by artistic friends, make sure to integrate that into your workflow. Working hard in a place where you can truly focus and accomplish your tasks efficiently can help you feel accomplished and get your life back.
You will be amazed how much energy you have and how much less overwhelm you experience when you prioritize working in the right setting.
When you start being presented with all kinds of new opportunities, it is extremely exciting! But keep in mind, a successful art career doesn’t stem from taking on as many projects as possible. Spending time determining how much you can reasonably manage and setting achievable goals is essential to help you deliver the best result possible for each client. Slow, manageable growth is the key to a business that lasts.
You might be thinking, “If I slow down, how will I elevate my business?” Finding ways to streamline your business tasks can help you keep up your creative flow and accomplish more in less time, with less stress.
Automating repetitive tasks, creating set time blocks for certain parts of the job, and taking regular breaks can help you succeed in the creative world without sacrificing your personal life.
One of the most potentially overwhelming things a new artist can experience is the world of social media. You may not know where to start, you might feel discouraged by small numbers, or you might be getting negative feedback that makes you want to stop sharing your art.
Connecting with like-minded individuals (fellow artists and art lovers) in real life is a great way to anchor yourself in reality and process your stresses about social media. If you feel a lot of pressure, that’s common, but you may have less fear around it when you’re able to commiserate with others who are in the same boat, or simply love your art. Keep sharing your passion projects, it will pay off in the end, but don’t let yourself drown in the social media world.
Concrete goals like time limits and personal rules surrounding social media can help if you need more tangible guidelines.
Instead of waiting to produce large bodies of work, consider sending out mini collections more frequently. This can keep you engaged and reduce the pressure of creating a massive collection all at once. Sharing your art frequently and consistently is more important than trying to work out all the kinks and find perfection before posting or selling your art.
In your pursuit of manageable growth, one of your long-term goals should be diversifying your income sources. This way, if one stream dries up for a time, you can rely on the others. Reducing the financial pressure in your career can allow you to focus more on your creative process.
These are just a few of many strategies I teach to help art business owners avoid taking on too much work and find personal growth. If you bring them into your artistic career, you can manage your workload better and reduce any overwhelm. The most important thing is avoiding creative burnout. It’s harder to overcome than you may think!
