by Rebecca Sciullo | Jun 10, 2020 | Artist Blogging 101, Learning, Productivity
Since many people are working at home now, there are many articles and information on social media about productivity. It can be challenging to work from home under the best circumstances. Throw a couple of homeschooling kids and other homebound family members in the mix, and it is tough to avoid distractions. You need to understand how to manage your time and resources efficiently.
This situation might be old news for you if you are a working artist. You are probably already used to working on your own. If not, you wouldn’t get anything done. One artist I know wakes at 4:30 a.m. to get a start on his day. He knows that this is the golden time when he can create and work in the studio. I find that early mornings are best for me, although I can’t say I rise that early!
Starting an Artist Blog Takes Time and Focus
If you’ve recently started a blog, adding this task into your daily routine can be a challenge, and you might need a refresh on some productivity ideas. Here are a few ideas that I’ve used to manage my situation.
1 – Figure out what time of day works best for you to focus on different tasks. When do you find your energy best suited for writing or focused at your computer, brainstorming ideas?
2 – Once you determine the best time of day for this work, regularly block it out on your calendar daily or weekly. Do not deviate from your schedule. Treat this time as though it is an appointment outside of the house.
3 – Avoid things that suck your energy while working in your block or zone. The usual culprits include email, television, and social media.
4 – Create a pleasing workspace.
5 – Last but not least – take some breaks. use a Pomodoro Timer. I like to get outside for sunshine and fresh air.
Maintaining an artist blog is not just about technical know-how and writing. There is an art to staying on track and growing your site. Find and stick with strategies that help you to do this.
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by Rebecca Sciullo | Mar 21, 2020 | Learning, Productivity, Resources
So, today I picked up a lot of sticks. It was brush that fell on our property over the winter. It was very cathartic to be outside, keeping busy. My husband and I are both self-employed. His business is dependent upon people being able to visit him in person. We have a lot on our minds. There is a lot to think about as we consider how to maintain an income without leaving home Many of you can relate. Millions can relate.
Figuring it Out
At this point, our primary goal is to keep ourselves and our family healthy. After that, we are figuring out the best ways to adapt our business. Mine is easier, yet some tweaks need to be made. His situation requires more work, so I’m helping with that. We feel like me have to move fast in this regard, yet we are standing still.
As I make adjustments to Artisan Advantage, I will post them here, so that you can see what I’m doing. Maybe it will help you with something in your business.
Here’s a Tweak to Help Somebody
When we are not picking up sticks, tending to household tasks or of course the business dilemma, we are doing the same things that you are – reading, watching movies and playing games to name a few. These last parts are nice. We are reading a lot, so when I read this article, it clicked.
Stay Well!
Stay tuned for more updates including the next post in Artist Blogging 101 as well as how you can get in on some free consulting hours.
by Rebecca Sciullo | Feb 21, 2019 | Artisan Advantage Book Club, Learning, Productivity, Resources
If you’re reading through the Artisan Advantage Book Club pick for February, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and made it through the first three habits, you’ve learned about the importance of Private Victory. Private Victory simply means mastery of self – taking responsibility for yourself, identifying your mission and then doing the things you need to do to live it out. The first three habits are ones that will serve you well in all areas of your life, including your art business.
Consider how each habit can apply to your creative venture.
Be Proactive
I often hear artists speak negatively about their ability to sell and run their art business. Can you think of times that you might do this? Can you make a conscious effort to be more proactive in how you talk to yourself? Are there potential roadblocks that you might come across in the future that you can deal with proactively instead of reactively?
Begin with the End in Mind
Whether working with a group or an individual artist, one of the first things I ask them to do is to write out their business vision. This Habit takes it a step further, asking you to write your life mission. Can you add some time to your routine to start working on your personal mission statement? Then, you can write or revisit your business vision, ensuring that it is congruent with your mission. The mission and vision will serve as the guide for your art business.
Put First Things First
This is simply figuring out what activities take priority in your business and then executing them. Which activities need to take top priority in your art business?
I hope you are finding the book beneficial. Please share your thoughts with me at becky@artisan-advantage.com.
Photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 28, 2019 | Artisan Advantage Book Club, Learning, Productivity, Resources
The Artisan Advantage Book Club selection for February is Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®
This book was published in 1989 and you may very well have read it. This photo shows my copy, which I’ve had since around 1991.
Why not pick a “new” book?
You can read this book more than once. It packs a lot in, and you can relate to the information in different ways over time. In fact, there is an entire company devoted to teaching people how to use the lessons in the book. Whether you’ve read it or not, it is a great place to start to set the foundation for a productive year in your art business.
Powerful lessons in personal change.
Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, continues to be a best seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology and focuses on timeless principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity.
One of the most compelling books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, have empowered and inspired readers for over 25 years and played a part in the transformation of millions of lives, across all age groups and professions.
It’s easy. All you have to do is get your copy and start reading! Stay connected to the Artisan Advantage blog for posts about how you might apply principles from the book to your visual art business, as well as for opportunities to share your comments about the book with others.
Click here to read more about the Artisan Advantage Book Club.
by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 22, 2019 | Learning, Planning, Productivity, Resources
Did you make any art business resolutions this year? If so, how are they going so far? If not, It’s still January, and not too late to add some positive activities to your plan. Here are 10 suggestions on habits and activities for your 2019 list of resolutions.
Your 2019 Art Business Resolutions
1. Start a morning routine.
2. Review your vision daily. Or, write your business vision, if you don’t have one.
3. Start keeping good records. Use a service like Artwork Archive to help you with your inventory.
4. Make a schedule and stick to it.
5. Do it now! No more procrastination.
6. Join an art or business group and do some networking.
7. Keep in touch with your customers. If you don’t have a system already in place, start by reaching out to one past contact or customer a week. Drop them a written note or give them a call.
8. Be consistent with a social media platform. Pick your platform, pick your frequency and stick to it.
9. Schedule time weekly to review your progress and plan for the coming week and month.
10. Read daily. Take 10 minutes and read a book that can help with business and personal development.
Does 10 seem like too much? Pick one or a few of these that will make a big impact on your productivity moving forward. Even one new positive habit can help to move your business forward.
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Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash
by Rebecca Sciullo | Dec 10, 2018 | Planning, Productivity, Time Management
Do You Have a Morning Routine?
My morning routine is definitely one of the best parts of my daily schedule. It sets the pace and tone of my day. When I miss it, I find that my time isn’t quite as productive. How about you? Do you have a morning routine? If not, consider starting one in 2019. Here are seven tales of true productivity to get you started.
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