Tuesday

Action VS Perfection

I'm constantly running into creatives who are STUCK. They can't seem to push their projects over the edge to completion. Upon hearing their stories, I'm struck with statements that seem common to the "starving artist" community:

"I just can't make up my mind about what to call my website."
"I must redo 'such and such' and don't have the funds or time." 
"When I get past this obstacle, I'll start on marketing my art."
"I just can't figure out how to do . . . . " 

These aren't reasons,  they're excuses born out of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Maybe even fear of success.

 As a creative, are you an excuse maker or an action taker? Do you wallow in your reasons for 'why not' rather than fight through the fog to the finish line? If you find yourself hitting a wall with your creative projects, listen closely.

We get stuck in our creativity for lots of reasons. But often it boils down to the fact that we don't think our product is good enough.

Well, I say, 'Action is better than perfection!'

If you don't get your art out there, you'll stay STUCK .... and STUCK is not a productive place.

Have you noticed that Apple puts their products on the shelves and sells multiplied millions of dollars of product, before all of the kinks are worked out? How many hours have you spent on-line with 'trouble shooters,' just to find that it's a flaw with the computer or software program?

 Now, I'm not advocating that you produce flawed products on purpose, but surely you get the point. If you wait until it's perfect . . . . you are losing money, fans and endless possibilities.  Truth is . . . it'll never be perfect! So what are you waiting for?

Take action today and everyday. Get your art, your music, your writing, your designs out there for the world to see. In fact, take the first step out of 'Stuckville' and share them below (post a link to your work) in the comment section. I'd love to see you unstuck and on your way to becoming a thriving artist!

17 comments:

  1. Deby,

    I wholeheartedly agree with you!! I now am painting a painting per day, have a website (www.wordpaints.webs.com), a facebook page (Mary Moore Art, and just yesterday ordered business cards! Soon I will be compiling a list of local places to market my artwork to, and then create a brochure or picture portfolio of my artwork and go see who wants to carry my artwork! I also plan to do art festivals starting this year!
    I spent years in Stuckville, and finally thought, life is short, the time is now.
    -Mary Moore

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  2. After the Artists Burst of Life conference you led, I decided to take the step. It felt like Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade when he steps out onto the path he can't see and it appears. Then he crosses the path, almost losing his balance, and chooses the Holy Grail. I love that movie. And he saved his dad, and learns the grail is about love and illumination. I just did www.armydad.net. It's not perfect but feels awesome to put it out there. And next I am getting images together for MoonShadow Images. I might wobble, but got you guys for illumination!

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  3. @Mary Moore
    Mary, you're becoming the expert for taking action. You really inspire me. I can't wait to see what comes of your action plan.

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  4. @Billie Wells
    Billie, I'm so very proud of you and all the action you are taking. The Army Dad site is filled with inspiration. Now, the task of finding your audience. It will come - I know it. You are an inspiration!

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  5. Some of this also comes from allowing yourself to be. I TRIED to be a writer for 15 years before throwing up my hands saying it was hopeless. I ALLOWED myself to be an artist and won awards in the first contest I ever entered. Now, since I've gone back and allowed myself to be a writer too, I've published two books. It's a different mindset between wanting to be and being. Those who insist that their art isn't perfect are still wanting to be. Those who get out there with their art are being -- and they know that this is the best they can produce at this moment in time; that their art will grow and change as they improve. I believe that leaping that chasm is always the first step.

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  6. Very inspiring! A kick in the pants if I say so myself. I am giving myself less than 90days to turn my job at Bed Bath & Beyond into a thing of the past! I need help keeping this promise to myself to actually do it!

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  7. @dawnblair
    Dawn, You've painted a beautiful images of 'being' vs 'wanting to be.'
    'Being' comes out of rest and a secure place, 'wanting to be' come from striving. I choose 'being!' May God help us all to come to that place where striving ceases and we are simply free to be.

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  8. @dawnblair
    Dawn, You've painted a beautiful images of 'being' vs 'wanting to be.'
    'Being' comes out of rest and a secure place, 'wanting to be' come from striving. I choose 'being!' May God help us all to come to that place where striving ceases and we are simply free to be.

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  9. @WHAT UP LIFE!
    Good for you, Michael! I'll give you a nudge in that direction. You've got so much to offer - you simply need a plan.

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  10. Deb, thank you sharing this very important and timely message. Wise words from you all. Do you think artists are more prone to this? If so, why?

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  11. Ouch! But in a good way! I can go to someone else's job for 40 or more hours a week, perform the task assigned and help others with their tasks as well their personal problems, but when it comes to my life, I go slow or keep my creativity in "pause mode." It is definitely beneficial to help others, but for a long time I said, if I don't help myself how can I truly help others? Thanks Deby, it's a much needed reminder of what's important. Praying that I do everything I need to get this creativity, this work into the hands of those who appreciate it - meaning, they pay for it and I'm able to produce more work.

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  12. Thank you for a very insightful post.

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  13. @Buzz Marketeer
    Jason, I do think that creatives are more prone to this because their creativity is like their baby. It's hard to put your baby out there for the world to judge. I also think community is vital. We need other creatives, in whom we trust, to tell us the truth when our art is fabulous AND when it doesn't measure up.

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  14. @Eddie Hudson
    Eddie, I think it's because when you give yourself at your job, it's not personal. When you create, it is personal. Your art is your baby and it hurts when others don't like it or don't think it measures up. That's why we need each other and we need to be still long enough to hear God's voice. I think He is always telling us that we are good enough.

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