How to become more self-disciplined
A lot of people say to me, “You meditate every day? You’re so self-disciplined!”
I’ll let you in on a secret. It has nothing to do with self-discipline and everything to do with self-love.
Self-discipline is what I did in college. I kept to a rigorous schedule of study and exercise, rising at dawn to go running, attending classes all day, participating in various activist groups in the afternoon and hitting the library until late at night.
Inevitably this self-discipline would backfire. One day, I would realize I was completely sick and bored of my rigid running routine and I just couldn’t do it anymore. Berating myself or feeling bad about it wouldn’t motivate me, either. Enough was enough. I was sick of running. So I switched to swimming and started the cycle all over again, putting myself on another rigid schedule.
Then, I would get sick of swimming.
And have to find another form of exercise. And the cycle would repeat.
Now, I have an exercise routine that is based in joy and self-love. I love to hike alone or with friends, I love to dance, I love to go to my early morning yoga class. I love going to pilates classes and being around all the other students, I love taking walks with my husband. (Did I mention I LOVE to dance?)
And these days I know myself better than I did when in college. I know that need a lot of variety so I switch what for exercise I do regularly.
Have been berating yourself or comparing yourself with others because you are not more “self-disciplined”? What is the underlying motivation for wanting to do this activity? Can you find the love in it?
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The Importance of Creating Community
Making art is by nature an isolating activity. The majority of artists work alone and need quiet time in the studio to focus and concentrate, to allow ideas to bubble up, to experiment freely without prying or inquiring eyes. When I go to my studio, I like to close the door, turn off the phone, shut out the world and enter a deep, almost meditative state of concentration.
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Which means I spend many hours of my day completely alone.
Although the creative work itself may necessitate alone time and privacy, the life of an artist needn’t be lived in isolation. In fact, our success depends on the connections we cultivate. I’m not simply referring to “meeting the right people” – the influential ones who can give us something, or move our work forward. My daily life is made full by my rich community of artist friends.
Wherever you go or decide to live, cultivating a community of like-minded individuals will nourish your work. Unlike others, your artist friends will not be insulted when you choose to go to your studio on a Friday night instead of joining them at the movies.
When you are going through of periods of scant or no recognition, having no shows on the horizon, no grants to sustain you, no gallery to promote you, who will remind you how much it matters to keep doing the work?
I am fortunate to be married to a musician with a very down-to–earth philosophy on being an artist. If ever I begin to feel down-and-out, sorry for myself, or under-appreciated, he looks me in they eye and says “You are doing it for yourself, right?” and then I feel more on track. While I am not exactly doing it for myself (I sincerely want other people to benefit from my work), he reminds me that I am not in it for fame or acclaim.
Who will understand why you are devoting a large portion of your income to studio rent? Or to some ambitious five-year project? Lots of people will not relate to your lifestyle, nor will they understand it.
When the outside world seems indifferent to your creative output, your artist friends will remind you to keep at it. They won’t necessarily do this by saying so, but you will observe them making their own work, devoting their time and energy to it, and this will buoy you onward.
This is why I place such a strong emphasis on the community aspect of the Mindful Artist Mentorship Program. I love the forum, not only because it is a place where all the artists post pictures their own work, but because, it is amazing what happens when you bring a group of like-minded artists together. It is a chance to share ideas, ask questions, get support and help each other move forward in meaningful ways.
Just knowing you have friends you can call on who have committed themselves to a similar path will bring you comfort and sustenance.
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Is your work important? Does it matter? Why bother?
I strongly recommend that every artist I mentor have a website or at least blog to share his or her work with the world. One of the artists I worked with once asked me:
“Who in the world needs another blog from a half-hearted artist?”
Who, indeed?
Who are we to say what the world needs or doesn’t need? It’s important to be able to step back from that voice and to recognize it for what it is. It’s the voice of our ego. Our ego prefers to be liked, to stay safe and protect us from criticism or negative reaction.
I want to remind you of your power as an artist. The power art has in general. Whether our audience is large or small, we all have the potential to positively impact others lives with what we do.
While the ego likes to stay safe it is also attracted to the seeming glamour of celebrity and fame. It’s a strange dichotomy, isn’t it?
So unless we are really, really big, unless lots and lots of people like and admire our work, it doesn’t seem worthwhile.
Take a moment now to recall anyone who has expressed even the smallest appreciation for something you have created. A brief compliment, an email, a note, a thumbs up.
Now savor that moment slowly for what it was. Really feel into it and allow it into your being, your body, your heart.
You touched another person’s heart, even for that moment, in some humble way.
Where there was one, there could easily be hundreds. (It’s a big planet, you know.)
It is tempting to keep things safe and play a small and familiar arena. It’s tempting to avoid the risk and vulnerability of putting ourselves and our work out for the world to see. It is so much easier. We need not take the time nor make the effort.
But how do you know that someone wouldn’t be inspired by, love, or really want to see your blog? How do you really know this?
Aren’t there plenty of other artists who have inspired you? Are you glad for their online presence? Isn’t it wonderful to live in an age where we can access inspiration from other artists’ work past or present with the click of a mouse?
Who are your favorite artists of all time? How would your life be different if your favorite artists had never pursued their work and committed to getting it out to the public?
What it takes is commitment. I think the key word in this artist’s question was “half-hearted”. I know the asker of this question to be a truly dedicated and committed artist with wonderful gifts to share.
However, if we go about creating a blog only half-heartedly, then most likely neither we nor our potential viewers will gain satisfaction from it. Beyond the content, the energy behind the content will be lackluster.
However, if we commit ourselves to it, even if we can only post once a month and we do our best to get the word out and share it with the world, I am convinced that we can touch others in a meaningful way. People will be drawn to our enthusiasm and what we have to offer.
When we do things without true commitment they lack that power of our own intention. If things don’t work out how we expected, we have no reason to continue or follow-through.
The ego likes this because we stay in our safe zone. We don’t expose ourselves to criticism or perhaps worse for the ego, neglect.
When we are committed, we will do whatever it takes.
 Veiled Face Michele Théberge, ink on paper ©1998 |
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What’s so great about perfect?
Just what exactly is “perfect” and where do we formulate our notion of “perfection”?
I believe that perfectionism is the root of many an artist’s block.
I’ll never be good enough.
If I can’t do it as well as ____________, why try?
I’m not sure my idea is worthwhile.
What if I fail?
My project could never reach the beauty and perfection of the idea in my head.
We often talk ourselves out of doing something before we even get the chance to start.
I am reminded of something painter Agnes Martin once said:
“We cannot make anything perfectly but with inner contemplation of perfection, we can suggest it.”
I made this video because I’d like to invite you to pick up the reins of a project or piece that is waiting in the wings for the perfect time, the perfect place, materials, amount of money, the perfection of your skills, or whatever notion of perfection is preventing you from diving in.
See what happens.
And let us know, OK?
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Create Spaciousness in Your Work Day (and Spare Your Eyesight at the Same Time!)
Have you ever heard an artist to say, “I love the hours I spend on my computer, applying for shows, writing my artist’s statement, organizing my images and responding to emails. It’s so much FUN!”?
Almost every artist I know would rather be in the studio, hands in the materials, making stuff.
The administrative and business work associated with being an artist is tedious to most creative types and sometimes downright loathsome.
This can result in putting things off until the last minute, and then rushing through them, subtly (or overtly!) resenting the task at hand, and feeling pressed for time.
In this video, I share some methods I’ve developed for keeping the same sense of balance and expansiveness when working on my computer as I experience in my meditation practice.
Our brains can get caught up in the task at hand, so I read these two phrases to myself to connect with my deeper, overarching intentions throughout the day. Just reading them to myself, shifts my consciousness and attitude.
I experience the spaciousness of time as I work on my computer.
I take frequent pauses to check in with my deeper self.
Here is the link for the free download of the meditation timer I mention (for Mac users):
http://meditationresources.com/
Questions? Comments? Leave them below…
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