Don't bullshit yourself. Are you standing in your own way?

[KarylGilbertson]

Just gonna do some thinking out loud here...

Over the last week or so, I have seen A LOT of cases where people are having difficulties in their lives, whether at work, home, whatever... and are blaming any and all external factors and people for their situations. And in a good number of these cases, the person has only themselves to blame for the problem(s).

It just got me thinking, that if one runs into any sort of metaphorical roadblock, that the first thing to do would be to take a good, hard look in the mirror, ask yourself some honest questions and most of all,

DON'T BULLSHIT YOURSELF.

For instance: I, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, have been struggling with drawing and painting every day to improve my skills. I always blame the external factors: I'm burnt out from a full work day, I am mentally tapped out, I have some chore to do around the house, or I have to spend time with the wife.

All of these things are present and true, but they are not the reason for my not creating art. They are excuses. I realized how very true this is this past weekend. I have an art exhibition coming up in a month and I have a lot of last minute painting to do. I managed, somehow, to create 2.5 oil paintings since Thursday. I did this without sacrificing anything I listed above. I did work around the house. I spent time with my wife. I had LOADS of time for chainsawing Locusts and blowing off some steam. I even slept in.

So really... if I can do this much every day, why don't I? I'm bullshitting myself... and I'm going to stop.

What about you?

[squidmonk3j]

Yeah, sounds like bullshit, allright.

...Sorry, couldn't help myself:)

Seriously, dude...there's a natural ebb and flow to things. It's good to set goals for yourself, but immediate insights must be tempered with a sense of perspective. You're coming across like a guy swearing never to drink again after a weekend of insane debauchery.

Or maybe I'm wrong and you'll change your entire life around RITE NAO!

[KarylGilbertson]

I see what you're saying with the "I'm never drinking again!" comment. And maybe I do sound like a zealot at the moment.

But I also think that leaving things in the hands of "the natural ebb and flow" sounds like another way to heave the "control" of one's situation on an external factor. Why just go with the flow when you can push yourself through the low points?

[squidmonk3j]

Don't pay -too- much attention to my grumpy ramblings:)

I'm all for setting goals, but don't make the mistake of thinking that pushing stuff away is the same as pushing yourself forward. I'm glad you've realized something about how you spend your time, I'm just saying that instead of trying to implement immediate superficial change, try to assimilate this realization into your daily life. Think ahead - deciding to regularly allocate 1-2 hours extra pr day on your art is probably wiser than immediately diving into a 10 hour schedule that cannot be upheld.

[carlosranna]

You both are right. Convincing ourselves to do the job is necessary, and it´s hard.

Now, let´s get back to the tablet, easel or drawing table.

;)

[KarylGilbertson]

Absolute wisdom, squidmonk3j... I'm not about to give up the rest of my life for a 10 hour per day schedule, because as you said, it can't be upheld. And I didn't have to... like I said, i had plenty of time for other stuff. It's all a matter of sitting down at the easel for an hour or two (or even 20 minutes) every day. Things get done.

And Carlosranna... you're right... I should get out of the lounge.. I'm just bored at work (graphic designer at a sign shop) and CA is a welcome distraction :)

[Leonor]

They are not really excuses. They are adquired subconscious habits.

[dashinvaine]

I came to a similar conclusion last night, and wrote 10 commandments for myself, which may or may not be worth sharing (I will in any case)

1. Thou shalt not waste time critiquing other people's stuff as a way of getting out of doing your own.
2. Thou shalt apply to three companies a day (except on Sundays)
3. Thou shalt go to bed by 11.00 pm.
4. Thou shalt not argue with people on the internet (nor shalt though argue with anyone else)
5. Thou shalt not poke thy nose in.
6. Thou shalt neither procrastinate nor excuse-make, nor yield to any such demons.
7. Thou shalt not fear to embark on ambitious projects
8. Thou shalt paint for two hours daily, draw for one and CG for 1/2 hour daily
9. Thou shalt learn web design
10. Thous shalt be a good householder, washing up, walking the dog, and tolerating whatever others are listening to in the background.
11. (Bonus commandment). Thou shalt calm down.

[Hookswords]

chainsawing Locusts

That's a great band name

[KarylGilbertson]

That's a great band name

Very true. However, my (imaginary) band already has a name, it's called:

"Silently Screaming On The Bathroom Floor With A Gun In My Mouth And One In Yours, PS I Have Three Arms"

Note: It's a mariachi band.

[Incinerated]

I get where you're coming from Mr. Ook.
I myself have great problems, Especially when it comes to distractions from what I should doing.

Right now I should be doing my math... ...yes I know... I need some music, and... ooohh is that a playstation?

[Ian Miles]

One of the hardest parts of being an artist that I´ve found is, I fell very depressed sometimes when I realize that I have done so little improvement at all in a given amount of time (I draw lots of hours everyday), that is almost meaningless.

But, knowing that, the hardest part is came again to draw. At those times, I feel very tempted to just give up because I´m just not the right kind of person to make art. And do something -normal- with my life, like web design or bartender or somethin´.

¿Anyone? ._.

[Mr.Delicious]

I'm not about to give up the rest of my life for a 10 hour per day schedule, because as you said, it can't be upheld.

Yes it can. Although sometimes my body shuts down D:.

[ImagineTheEnding]

Yeah...I have to say you do have a point...

perhaps I should work on my homework =D

[TASmith]

Anyone else pause when they read, "I have to spend time with the wife."?

I get what you're saying, but be sure to rephrase this before she ever reads it. :)

[JJacks]

It's great to hear that people want to work hard but sometimes life is going to get in the way of our creative passion. It's best to take things a bit slowly and grow into a schedule that will work for you in the long term.

I guess I may be considered a slacker to some people on this site. I can go a few days without drawing and not really feel bad about it. I work hard on my studies, I just don't freak out if I have other things to do. I work best when I'm not stressing myself out thinking about how those hours translate to overall progress. I do best when I'm not panicking about squeezing in some drawing time. Instead I make time for it when I can so I can sit down and completely focus. I feel like I learn better this way.

Or I could be a slacker. :/

[So-naa]

Unfortunately, my actual physical time is pretty much non-existant. I work and go to school for about 12 hours in a day. I sleep 8 hours if I'm lucky. 4 hours are lost between travel time or late from work time ( 1hr back and forth from work, and 40 mins back & forth to class). Eatting time, feeding my guinea pigs, tutoring, visiting my grandmother( who is ill), visiting my family in general, cleaning the house, taking care of the plants, outside of work stuff for work ( creating youth activities ). I really don't know what squeaky minute I happen to have time to create stuff.. >.< I still love art!! I put like 3 mins whenever and so on LOL. >.<

[Randis]

Anyone else pause when they read, "I have to spend time with the wife."?

I get what you're saying, but be sure to rephrase this before she ever reads it. :)

i second that

[KarylGilbertson]

i second that

:D haha I get what you guys are saying... I meant it more as, "I need to make time for her in my life" and not as "Oh God I have to spend time with her again"... I don't know how to rephrase that though! :P

[Vatsel]

I think that we need many of these moments to really get into that schedule, failing it and coming back to it again and again but with even more perseverance, that's what will put you in that happy place.

Practice makes perfect, even with schedules :)