by Rebecca Sciullo | Mar 12, 2019 | Artisan Advantage Book Club, Learning, Resources
If you joined in with the Artisan Advantage Book Club and finished The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® I hope that you were able to learn something new to apply to your art business. There was a lot to digest, so I thought I would give you a bit longer to read it.
One response that I received about the book I think sums it up well.
What I am enjoying most, is this book is NOT a “quick fix” that is very popular in the business/marketing information that is out there these days because it deals with the person, which means it will have an effect on the artist’s entire business, as the artist is his/her business.
With respect specifically to a visual art business, here are some takeaways that came to my mind.
Takeaways
Be Proactive. How can you take responsibility for your art business? Make sure that you are acting proactively vs. reactively as you plan and work.
Begin With the End in Mind. Do you have a clear written vision for your art business? If not, this should be a priority. Once it’s written, make sure that your actions are aligning with your vision. Review this vision on a regular basis to ensure you stay on track.
Put first things first. Are you focusing on activities that are bringing you closer to your vision for your art business? Can you discern between the urgent but not important versus the important but not urgent tasks? Can you identify busy work that really isn’t getting you where you need to get to?
Think Win-Win. Whether it’s a collaborative project or participating in an event with an artist organization, can you work to build relationships by finding solutions and agreements that benefit everyone involved?
Seek first to understand…Are you taking time to listen to clients and customers before moving ahead with a commission or project?
Synergize. Can you find ways to participate, contribute and interact with your community?
Sharpen the Saw. Is there balance in your business and personal life? Make sure you are taking time out for other hobbies, family, exercise whatever it is you need to maintain your overall health and relationships in the long run.
Find more Franklin Covey resources at www.franklincovey.com. If you haven’t had a chance to read the book, that’s ok. There are no rules are requirements for the Book Club! I encourage you to read at your own pace. Take what you need, lose what you don’t.
I’d always love to hear your thoughts or a book recommendation at becky@artisan-advantage.com.
March’s book pick will be announced tomorrow. In the meantime, sign up for my newsletter here. I randomly select one subscriber every month to receive a free copy of the book for that month.
by Becky Sciullo | Mar 12, 2019 | Artisan Advantage Book Club, Learning, Resources
If you joined in with the Artisan Advantage Book Club and finished The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® I hope that you were able to learn something new to apply to your art business. There was a lot to digest, so I thought I would give you a bit longer to read it.
One response that I received about the book I think sums it up well.
What I am enjoying most, is this book is NOT a “quick fix” that is very popular in the business/marketing information that is out there these days because it deals with the person, which means it will have an effect on the artist’s entire business, as the artist is his/her business.
With respect specifically to a visual art business, here are some takeaways that came to my mind.
Takeaways
Be Proactive. How can you take responsibility for your art business? Make sure that you are acting proactively vs. reactively as you plan and work.
Begin With the End in Mind. Do you have a clear written vision for your art business? If not, this should be a priority. Once it’s written, make sure that your actions are aligning with your vision. Review this vision on a regular basis to ensure you stay on track.
Put first things first. Are you focusing on activities that are bringing you closer to your vision for your art business? Can you discern between the urgent but not important versus the important but not urgent tasks? Can you identify busy work that really isn’t getting you where you need to get to?
Think Win-Win. Whether it’s a collaborative project or participating in an event with an artist organization, can you work to build relationships by finding solutions and agreements that benefit everyone involved?
Seek first to understand…Are you taking time to listen to clients and customers before moving ahead with a commission or project?
Synergize. Can you find ways to participate, contribute and interact with your community?
Sharpen the Saw. Is there balance in your business and personal life? Make sure you are taking time out for other hobbies, family, exercise whatever it is you need to maintain your overall health and relationships in the long run.
Find more Franklin Covey resources at www.franklincovey.com. If you haven’t had a chance to read the book, that’s ok. There are no rules are requirements for the Book Club! I encourage you to read at your own pace. Take what you need, lose what you don’t.
I’d always love to hear your thoughts or a book recommendation at becky@artisan-advantage.com.
March’s book pick will be announced tomorrow. In the meantime, sign up for my newsletter here. I randomly select one subscriber every month to receive a free copy of the book for that month.
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 28, 2019 | Artisan Advantage Book Club, Learning, Resources
The Artisan Advantage Book Club is a way to learn about and read books that can help with your visual art business. It is low pressure, low stress and free! You can participate in this virtual book club by simply reading the book selected for the month. There will be opportunities to share your thoughts on the book with the Artisan Advantage community if you would like to do so.
Click here for more information.
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
