The Studio Source.com

I’m supposed to be officially on hiatus for the summer, but I had a half-finished post in the works, which fits nicely between two guest posts, so here I am, breaking curfew.

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I spent the afternoon with a painter friend recently. We talked about her work, about our time in art school (same university, different years), about teaching and drawing, and what it means to be an artist.

We even talked a little about business. But not much.

Not much business talk was necessary. She does great work, and she knows what she needs to do to build her career. How, when, and if she does it is up to her.

You have those same choices.

All that freedom can hang you up sometimes.

Business isn’t complicated
We convince ourselves business is complicated. It may not always be easy, but it’s not complicated.

We make it that way with the things we tell ourselves.

Think about it: you need to send a promotional package to an out of town shop, gallery or client. The package is done; all that’s required is to write a short introduction letter, tuck everything in an envelope, address it, put a stamp on it and mail the damn thing.

Logistically, it’s a simple task. But it can feel very scary.

You don’t want your recipient to say no. Rejection is never any fun. If you’re early in your career, putting yourself out there to risk rejection can feel like the world is about to end. If you have some experience, you might be just plain tired of being told “No thank you.”

Never say never
Except “No” might really mean “Not yet.” It might mean you sent the wrong pictures. Maybe you sent pictures of large work and they need small things.

“No” might mean the potential client you think is a perfect fit might need a little time to get to know you better.

It might just be a matter of time, or you might need to ask a few questions. But you won’t know if you don’t send that package.

And you’ll never know if you don’t follow up.

When you choose to back away from the things you need to do to grow your professional creative practice, you don’t need to worry about someone telling you no.

You do it to yourself instead.

Sticking yourself in the rut
The more you say no the easier it gets. No risk, no rejection, no consequences, no worries.

But there are consequences. No challenge, no growth, no confidence.

Maybe you’ll get lucky and be discovered without ever trying. Maybe that one client will come looking for you—the one who opens up all the doors you never dreamed possible.

And, since we’re going down that road, maybe you’ll spend your spare time perched on a swing in your mother’s backyard singing “Someday My Prince will Come.”

It sounds ridiculous when you see it in black and white, but you know how easy it is to fall into that rut of wishing instead of doing.

Reclaim the space inside your head
What if you stop beating yourself up right now?

What if you decide to be open to the possibility of yes rather than drenching your psyche in dread?

What if you turn every significant contact, positive or negative, into a neutral learning experience? (As in, think carefully about what went right, what didn’t, and whether or not you need to refine anything, as opposed to rolling your eyes as you tell yourself you’re building more character.)

There are times when you should say no. Chronically negative or vindictive people who try to worm their way into your life. The wrong show. The client who is so unreasonable you never want to work with them again.

Obviously, when someone gives you a definitive no, you need to respect that. But you have to respect yourself and your profession, too. There is a point where you have to draw the line, when you have to stop telling yourself no just to avoid hearing it from someone else.

Have your say
Do you give yourself too many “no” messages? Do you avoid promoting your work so you can avoid rejection?