PineShoreStudio/Paintings by Helen Harris

Doubt can unfocus you in a second. It is insidious. A quick stumble of the psyche and you're done for the day. I speak from experience! Mastering a coping,defensive move against this enemy is an every day challenge, especially while working alone in your studio. Each of us has our own special moments that trigger this feeling, but we share a common goal of beating this time robber. When it happens to me, I realize that I skipped an important part of my work day... planning ahead! Not doing this allows the doubt to creep in ...very unbusiness like days then ensue. My focus is lost and instead of painting or doing the things that propel my work forward..the distraction of housework, yard work or errands take over beyond their importance. It is not that these thing don't need attention ..but they are not my business . Remember my mantra from my post of 8/19? This is my business! Now, I'm not highly organized but I do have a pattern of habits that has seen me through th

I had just listened (again) to an audio download by Christine Kane speaking of the 5 secret power sources of your business. One point about leverage stuck in my head. It was a thought provoking point. How could I make use of what I already have and extend its use? I needed to identify just what I could leverage. Materials! What was immediately doable? New work in old frames! I opened my closet doors and started unstuffing stuff. Long forgotten frames, mats, and glass that had past lives were just waiting in the dark to find new life. Work that could be cropped or reworked to fit the old frames completed the effort. In little time I had three newly framed works and an ACEO too! What's in your closet, sketchbook, journal,hard drive? You already have it. Leverage it!

Those hazy, hot,humid days of August that will lull you into the "I don't care " attitude have arrived . Blog?...nah! Add to your shops? ...nah! Paint?..naaaaaahhhhh uh - oh another show this weekend! Here are a few of my motivators. This quote is from Alyson Stanfield's blog "Nobody is responsible for your success–or lack thereof–except you" I've added to this my mantra of the day . . .this is my business! If you need to get moving post this on every surface...and your forehead! I strongly suggest you click on my sidebar offer of Alyson's book "I'd Rather be in the Studio" for more guidance. Another helpful possibility, check out Christine Kane and download her daily schedule template. Another favorite is "Marketing Mondays" .Bill Weaver's writing just rings true in his newsletters from "The Artists Center " I hope you'll click on some of these links. There is so much unhelpful content out there tha