Activate Your Power of Being Focused As An Artist

Having laser sharp clarity about your art career goals, creative direction, and moment to moment priorities can all make a huge difference in your life and career. When you activate the power of being focused as an artist you reach your fullest potential as an innovative accomplished art professional.

This article offers ways in which you can increase these powers to help you reap more rewards in your art career. I hope you learn things you can apply to make a positive difference for yourself. Please also read my final thoughts at the end. Let me know how you use the power of focus in the comment section below.

Set Goals With A Focus on Specific Details
Goal-setting can be a fun, creative and empowering part of your career success. Write your creative, career and financial goals in the present tense. Perceive them as those conditions that are attainable achievements already existing in your life. Make your goals heartfelt and also specific, visual and tangible. Place them where you can see them daily. Read them with enthusiasm every morning and as often as you need to plant and reinforce them.

An example: “I have a 1,000 square foot studio with lots of light in the quiet downtown district at a comfortable rental fee.” Another example, “I have a body of work (number of pieces), inspired by my new (title) theme which is in the collections of many private individuals and healthcare facilities, including (names).” Then focus on creating the action plans and daily activities that you’ll take to manifest these goals. Read Master Your Art Career Goals.

Focus On Unleashing Your Greatest Strengths
If you want to grow and evolve creatively you must allow yourself to experiment to your heart’s desire. You’ll want to focus on achieving excellence in your artistic mission, medium and style. And, when you take your art outside your studio and offer it for sale in the art market that’s the time to follow a focused pragmatic approach.

Show the world a consistent, cohesive body of work that separates you from all other artists. Serious gallery owners and collectors will view you as an artist who has transformed your creative vision into your inimitable “signature style” they can promote and collect. Artists who appear to have unfocused creative directions, ambiguous styles, and inconsistent mediums not only confuse viewers, they are also often perceived as unprofessional and lacking stability.

Focus on the Precious Commodity of Time Management
Time is something measurable and available to all of us in equal amounts. What’s not equal is how we manage it. Time is more precious than money. We can find ways to maximize it or waste it. Start by setting priorities every day and periodically ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing now in my best interest?” Apply “to do” lists, timers, and scheduling devices that will keep you on track.

When you choose the project that has to be completed, set aside sufficient time without any distractions. Avoid falling into the trap of having a scattered mind when facing an important project. Rehearse the task mentally. Quiet the mind. Focus yourself mentally on one detailed task at a time.  Take each step deliberately. Become totally absorbed in what you’re doing, and allow a free-flowing momentum to emerge. Read Time-Saving Tips For Busy Artists.

Focus on Your Creative Passion, Not The Market
It’s a mistake to place your focus on what will sell as opposed to what you do best. Time has proven when artists place priority on developing their strengths rather than transfixing and lamenting about what will sell better and quicker they will prosper in the long run.

So, first create your best work. Permit accidents to happen and learn from unexpected missteps, trials and errors. Prepare to contribute large doses of time, patience and education.  When the work is ready focus on determining what your best market venues are in order to find, attract and reach your desired buyers.

If you reverse the order, you will find yourself in a state of uncertainty, and in disharmony with your true genius. You’ll never be able to catch up with the “ideal art market” so create your own by being the best in your milieu. Read Where to Find Art Buyers and Meet Collectors.

Be A Focused Social Media User
Social media is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal. Like any tool, it can used to our benefit and help us or misused and hurt us. I see artists waste their time and energy in social media. They may use it in an unfocused, haphazard manner. they may use it as a place to vent or as a substitute for therapy. They don’t focus on the reader’s benefit. Lacking any sense of purpose or direction, they don’t see themselves as they may appear to the public.

The best way to use social media is to decide what you hope to achieve from using it. Develop a general plan and purpose for communication and self-promotion.

Also consider applying a social media management platform like hootsuite.com which offers you the ability to schedule updates in advance. From one location you can view your streams of friends and followers, mentions, DMs, and more — a great time-saver. Read 10 More Time-Saving Tips For Busy Artists.

Leave the land of scattered serendipity
and enter into a state of energized action.

Final Thoughts
Achieving the optimum benefits from being focused takes practice and commitment. At first you may need to increase your time spent alone, away from the chaos and distraction of daily life. Spend time getting acquainted with the authentic you so you can prepare yourself for what needs your attention.

You may want to shift your perspective about being focused as not something that curtails your creativity, rather a path to harnessing and embracing your fullest creative self more deeply.

When focusing on a specific area of concentration you will be challenged to get outside your comfort zone. At times, it may be more suitable to leave the land of scattered serendipity and enter into a state of energized action. Welcome the desire to push against your preconceived boundaries and limitations.

When you focus with 100% commitment to do or be something that you wholeheartedly desire and you step forward with integrity and conviction, amazing things will occur. When you activate the power of being focused as an artist the universe will rush in to support you in astounding ways. Supportive people will emerge and extend their helping hands. New opportunities and resources will arise and illuminate your path.