| How do we define success? |

When I mentioned in a video that I had my own definition of success, someone asked me to elaborate on that and explain what success means to me.

So I began working on an article for this blog on a new definition of success. And there was so much to it, I realized. I wrote and wrote and still I couldn’t seem to wrestle the topic into a coherent, brief article. So I decided to make one short video on one aspect of success with the intention of creating more in a series.

In it I share a personal, very atypical success story that illustrates what I mean.

And if you are interested here’s the other video I referenced:

Were you raised with the message that you needed to be recognized or receive money for your art for it to be valid?

Do you feel pressure from the world outside you to prove your worth to others?

Have you analyzed what makes you feel good about being an artist?

Responses to “How do we define success?”

  1. GalleryMessina

    Thank you Michelle, it is always a great reminder that the our process and self reflection is what is important. I also want to thank you for sharing your thoughts as yesterday I listened in on a group of women artists that formed their own small mentor group to support each other, and I thought of you. As artists we are usually isolated in our process, but need others (of like mind) for support.
    Lisa http://www.artgallerymessina.com

    Reply
    • Michele Theberge

      That is truly exciting that you have formed a group of artists! I have found that to be such an incredibly powerful tool throughout my life as an artist.

      Reply
  2. Lisa Tousignant

    I am moved. I watched both these videos…thank you for posting them, Michele. I feel I want to contribute to the conversation because I am so moved. Yet, words are a bit scrambled in my mind and I’m not quite sure which ones to put forth that could even attempt to express my experience. I’ve been quiet in our Masterclass the past two weeks for the same reason. I’ve been following, only not contributing. My inner critic has also been very active in the background of my mind. In my spiritual community, we’ve been focusing on several of the same topics…it’s almost bazaar. I feel I’m on the verge of a new way of relating to life and to art, yet it’s still in the distance. If I compare it to hiking, it feels rather familiar to following the trail through the high bush…it’s closed in. I can’t see mountains before me, nor the valley I just hiked through. The path isn’t even clear because the bush growth is so dense. There is animal scat I can’t identify. Many thoughts urging me to turn back or, to keep going cross my mind. Rarely do I turn back, so I know from experience this will pass. And, back to art…this class, and Michele’s wisdom has helped me feel and even deeply know I will come through this “bushy” part of the creative path.

    I’m trying to answer Michele’s question regarding an experience when I was joyful in following a creative process. I know without a doubt I have experienced many and am curious why I cannot think of a one right now. Several paintings I’m working on are landscapes. Each time I begin a new painting, it seems to end up evolving into a landscape and I’m curious about that…I would like to see some other things come forth.

    Oh! I just had an ah ha! I used hiking as my earlier visual and I just realized that I haven’t been on a real hike in months. I love hiking and being on a trail alone with my dog really connects me to my highest self. It’s the breathing, and the time to just be present with what is, and what I observe around me and within me. Raleigh, my dog has arthritis now and cannot hike anymore. I’ve hiked with other people but this doesn’t bring the same kind of inner connection for me. Now, this brings me to an interesting observation that my inner artist is bringing forth mountains and nature on the canvas. I feel a pleasant release in my energy at this moment. I think I can move more fully into the joy in the process of completing these paintings now.

    My post is like a journal entry.

    Thank you Michele and Masterclass!

    Reply
    • Lisa Tousignant

      Moving, breathing, step by step I take.
      Thinking.
      Looking, listening, song birds singing.
      Thinking.
      Walking, slowly, avoiding deep mud.
      Breathing.
      Resting, touching blooms wild, spring grass.
      Being.

      Reply
    • Michele Theberge

      Thanks for sharing so deeply and thoughtfullly here! I feel honored to have shared in your “journal entry.”

      Reply
  3. Sue Sullivan

    Michele, I love the combination of these 2 videos! I’ve been coming to
    the same conclusions and this has made it even more clear. I recently realized that in the past when I tried to detach from outcomes, I was doing that because I believed it would make me more likely to achieve that outcome. So, in essence, I was still focused on the outcome. Outcome focus is when I get driven, feel empty, and don’t live my true priorities.

    Now, I’m relishing the process while using the outcome as a destination that I may or may not arrive at. The destination is just a direction of where I’m going. What counts is what I’m experiencing in the moment. I continually checking in with myself to see if I’m still aligned with my authentic self. This approach feels really healthy and really good and really fulfilling <3

    Reply
    • Lisa Tousignant

      Sue, I have often been curios about my motive for detaching from the outcome of my art. There must be an unconcious attachment hiding because I’m experiencing a sense of…I guess the best way to describe it is that feel like I’m in a fog. I’ve been avoiding my studio. I feel distracted and resistant. I will spend some time with my curiosity about my motives. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is helpful for me to read how other artists process their inner experience.

      Reply
      • Michele Theberge

        I love how you approach this from a state of curiosity. There is always more we can uncover about ourselves and our motives isn’t there? Such a rich experience to be alive and to learn how to navigate through our creative practice.

        Reply
    • Michele Theberge

      I love how you summed this up, Sue! You saw this through the “process over product or outcome” filter and I hadn’t quite seen it that way before. It really helps to read your comment today. Such a great reminder!

      Reply
  4. arline jernigan

    Thank you!! You listen to Abraham Hicks don’t you??? If not, you are a great example of the things they teach.

    You have given me inspiration to apply those principles of finding the feeling state, to my work. Appreciation, creativity, expansion. 🙂

    Reply

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