In case you needed a bit of a boost of encouragement for your journey, here are 9 reasons not to give up the goal of creating a life and business with your art!
I was at a coffee shop when I thought of this.
Not a big surprise since it seems most of my better ideas come when I’m in a coffee place of some kind.
Maybe it’s the caffeine. Maybe it’s the cool music. Or the cool air conditioning (thank you Starbucks). Whatever it is, my creative wheels often start ruminating in these caffeine-laden places.
I was reflecting on some life dreams and the challenges and roadblocks that had cropped up. Many of the roadblocks have either been my own doing. I decided not let a season of discouragement (something temporary) keep me from pursuing my goal of having my own successful creative business and helping other women do the same thing (a long term goal).
Anyways.
I was jotting some notes down on a scrap of paper on reasons why pursuing art is important. I came up with 9 reasons.
And I use the word “art” loosely because art can encompass a lot of different things.
Your art could be a service- editing podcasts, putting together websites or catering desserts for events.
Your art could be running an advice column on a blog and speaking at events. Your art could be teaching food bloggers how to take crisper pictures or manage their time to manage the challenges of running a food blog and business.
Your art could be sculpting or painting. Your art could be developing your own mini self-publishing empire.
Art can be anything 
Sometimes the bridge from idea to income, from art as a hobby to a income-producing living is hard. Really hard.
I know. And for a long time I thought it would be better to put away ideas of using my “creative” skills to make a living.
But I changed my mind a short time ago and have been fighting through the “meantime” to make my ideas a reality.
You too?
I believe there are many reasons to fight through the hard days of starting your creative biz until it really does grow to make money.
1. Art and beauty bring something uniquely beautiful to life.
In today’s society we do place an emphasis on things that are measurable and can increase in profit. But no amount of technology, production, sales goals or money can replace the importance of art, beauty and the simple practice of making things with our own hands, using our skills to enhance others lives or bringing joy to others through our creation.
2. It’s better to live a congruent life than a segmented life.
It’s exhausting to work multiple jobs.
And creating art- whether it writing books and speaking, teaching cooking classes or being a photography blogger- takes a lot of time, a LOT of time.
Most creatives sense the disconnect between living the life we have and desiring another life.
If we could spend more time working on our art and make a living from it, there would be more time to be more creative, help others, travel and live the life of adventure and usefulness we long for!
3. Art is important.
Your art is important. Don't devalue the gifts you have been given and spend many hours becoming skillful in.
4. Art makes a difference.
The human heart and mind have a basic need for beauty and intrigue. Art can challenge, inspire, motivate, and stimulate thought and discussion.
5. Life is short and time is flying by.
How we spend our time matters. We only get one shot at this wonderful gift called life. If you have a skill in writing inspiring fiction for tweens, you should do it. And you should learn how to monetize these skills through writing, teaching, developing products etc.
6. Because people need you to shine.
I got this line from Monica Lee (Smart Creative Woman.com) and I believe she is 100% right. There is a lot of darkness, discouragement and sadness in the world. Each one of us chooses to shine despite the difficulties or be affected by the darkness
7. Life is supposed to be an adventure. When did we start to settle for mediocrity?
8. Your art is valuable. When the time is right, when the skills have been developed to something of value to others, it's o.k. to charge money.
Have I already said you and your art are important and valuable? I hope you believe it.
I believe in sharing, extending and helping but artists also need to make a living. Maybe it's not time now. Pick a date to move towards when you will be ready with a product and service to give in exchange for compensation. It’s more complicated than that but ....we begin here- with what we believe.
9. There will never be a “good” time to begin.
Whether beginning is investing time in building your skill, developing a website or finishing the book, life does not (usually) present us with a big neon lit up sign flashing, “It’s time- all systems go, we'll hold off on all problems, delays, distractions, aggravations and conflicts!”
There will always be delays and problems.
Start anyways.
And start today.
What do you think? What reasons keep you pursuing your dream even when life is super tough and you are seeing the results you want?
…..
So, watercolorist, food blogger, stationary designer, baby clothing maker, art teacher and counselor, muralist, accessory designer, author, fiction writer, encourager, photographer, actor, musician, sculptor, fashion designer, event planner, magazine creator: shine on.
If you are in a rough spot, if discouragement is putting its ugly claw on you- remember- what you do is important.
This rough spot is a season.
And seasons always pass.
Keep planting good seeds- keep putting out your art, finish your book, teach classes, and see where you can serve in your craft.
Things are going to change.
The harvest season is coming.
…..
p.s. I love the principles of seasons and how they are relevant to our lives. Summer is portrayed as a season of growth and the fall season is a time for harvest.
Wouldn't you love to see some of the things you are working hard at now (our summer- both literally and figuratively) to show signs of growth, even as soon as this fall?
I sure would!
To help you and I along the steps of our creative journey, there is going to be a short 6 week Summer Start to Growth e-course launching in just a few weeks.
The course is for those who have an idea of what they want to do but they are unsure of the steps to take. It’s a lot of the things I’ve been learning in my own journey.
More information will be coming soon!
If you would like to participate in the new “Season of Summer Growth” Mini Ecourse, sign up to receive the email updates in the right hand column. (If you are already on the list, you will receive the Mini Course automatically). It’s set to release later this month.
I will send out special encouraging messages and art pieces every week. Plus, there will be reading and mini assignments to participate in (as your schedule and time allows you to).
Do as much or as little as you want to! No one sees this except for you! I'll be asking for people to share but it's totally, 100% volunteer only.
The goal of this summer course is to see the wheels of your creative biz turning by the time September comes around.
The post 9 Reasons to Pursue Your Art appeared first on Launch Your Creative Life.