STOP whining about no money & GET BUSY!!!
Dwelling on what you don’t have will cause it to grow as much as what you DO have!
Dwelling, also, on what you don’t want, will cause it to happen just as much as what you DO want.
This blog post will probably cause people to stop reading – the chance I’m taking as I’m trying to get people to stop whining about no money and get busy – create ART or courses or programs that people will buy and STOP selling them so CHEAP!!!
We (retired husband, Brian and I) live on a fixed pension income – under $20, 000 a year and all my art supplies come from the money I make. We live simply, tho, it means no trips most years, we are not starving. We bought our 1922 house with inheritance from Brian’s family, so we have no mortgage. We have all the utilities on a budget plan so its the same every month regardless of the season. I don’t feel like I missing out on any supplies or courses or anything of that sort.
We do OAMC (Once A Month Cooking) and that helps with lower the grocery bill as we only shop the big shop once a month.
If there is supplies I need or want, I start a savings acct. and put 10% of every dollar I earn into it. Right now, there a program that will take my business to the next level, that I’ve been saving for. Every workshop, every calendar/planner, e-book, community membership goes into that savings account.And, if I am ever feeling like there is no extra money for anything, I DO NOT SELL MYSELF OUT!
I am always marketing myself – some may say they are tired of hearing about me, that’s OK. When they need a Textile Mixed Media Artist, Teacher, Coach, or Speaker…….maybe just maybe they will think of me. Even if its only a half hour of coaching to get them started on the next level of their life and/or business.
I have sent in many projects, and/or artwork into shows, exhibitions and for publication…..some I will never see again but will never be featured – that’s the price we pay as ARTISTS. DON’T WHINE ABOUT IT!!!
Some people may say joining
a Design Team without pay is selling myself out…..I see it as networking with other artists and gaining a new community of people who may have not otherwise seen my blog or artwork, programs, workshops, products, etc. I get free product to make projects that I might have tried to make with other products….so to me a win win situation.
And, in closing on this soapbox rant, if you are NOT willing to take the next step for your business (YES! Artists, we are in business) then just consider it a hobby and start looking for a different way of income. To cry or whine doesn’t help the image you are portraying as a successful artist.
What are you willing to do to earn the income you need?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. About 15 years ago my husband had a drastic switch of job and income, we were faced with the amount of income that you and husband live on… we were a family of 4. We did it, but we had to dip into savings a bit that year. It was tough but now we look back and marvel at how we managed. I admire how you are doing it all Dale. Congratulations to both of you.
Awesome ‘stop whining’ post.
Thanks Suzanne! I wanted people to see anything is possible .
You are so right. And when one rids themselves of the whining and worry, the art and business just takes off. Great post… great advice!
THANKS Diana for stopping by & commenting! It was a post I wasn’t sure how it would be received.