Successful Art Careers | How to Make Yours Happen | Part Two

It's Time for Better Time Management

[Editor note: Part Three is available now. Click here to read it.]

In Part One we have covered the importance to a successful art career of consistently producing desirable work.

The intent for Part Two was to dive into how to effectively market your work to interested buyers in, but that has changed.

First Things First

I realized there is no point in talking about marketing unless you have the time to do it. With that in mind, let's cover some valuable time management ideas.

It makes sense if you are managing your time more efficiently that you will have more time for marketing, and for your studio, too. If you are like many, if not most artists, you will let yourself become caught in the studio, and not give yourself enough time to get other important art career activities, such as marketing.

Modern Conveniences Make Us More Productive and Too Busy

The facts are we simply are busier than we have ever been. We find ourselves pulled in every direction at once. This leads to an actual and a perceived sense of lack of time, both create unnecessary stress.

Stress causes physical and mental problems. It causes actual harm to our bodies, including raising our blood pressure, which creates potential serious problems. It causes us to eat haphazardly which can raise our sugar levels and cause diabetes. Stress leads to anxiety, which can cause us to lose sleep, and weight gain. None of these things will help you make better art, or market your art more efficiently and productively.

It is possible to reduce your stress by adding an extra hour to your day through time-management techniques.

Delegate Down. Manage the expectations of others.

Your time is precious; learning to manage expectations appropriately is the key. Be realistic when setting deadlines and do not overcommit yourself. You must learn to prioritize your career. No matter how enticing an offer, or how qualified you may be to do a job, or take on some opportunity, if it doesn’t fit into your goals, then politely say no thanks.

If you assign tasks to others, make sure they know how to perform the task and then let them do it. Do not let them delegate tasks back to you. If they are not capable, then find someone who is. If you end up micro managing someone, you might as well do it yourself, which is self-defeating.

Time-Based. To-Do List

When you create a To-Do list figure how much time it will take for each task. Then prioritize by most important first and time needed to complete second.

Multitask

In general, multitasking can be detrimental. However, you can do some things simultaneously. For instance, pay your bills while watching some guilty pleasure television. Bundle errands so you only make one trip. Plan your trip working from furthest destination to nearest. Do your meal planning for an entire week while you are doing the laundry.   

Give Back to You - Reward Yourself

As your prioritization and time management details begin to kick in and you notice you have more time, use some of it to reward yourself. Take time to acknowledge this improvement. Go to a museum, see a film, take a ride to a scenic spot. Surprise that someone special in your life with a preplanned unexpected jaunt to somewhere fun or romantic, or both. Enjoy your success!

Read Part Three on Effectively Marketing Your Art Here 

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Part Three is available now. Click here to read it.

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