 Image from Boca Raton Museum of Art “Smoke & Mirrors: Magical Thinking in Contemporary Art." I’m still thinking about the myths that get in the way when you’re trying to shape your career as an artist. Perhaps the biggest fiction is that you cannot combine a successful career with an authentic creative life. This illusion is alive and well on social media. People create ideal versions of themselves in order to seem more successful, more confident, more one-dimensional than they are. These avatars make the rest of us feel inadequate, as we live through our ordinary ups and downs, our doubts and fears. Many artists believe they have to be constantly upbeat in order to attract interest, despite the fact that their art grows out of their raw and messy, genuine selves. This illusion of the ideal self leads to another fiction. Artists believe that there is a secret “right way” to succeed, and in order to find it you have to apply for every opportunity you hear about, whether or not it’s right for you. This syndrome, sometimes known as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), is emotionally exhausting, since you set yourself up for rejection and discouragement. Don’t chase random opportunities. Most of them are not worth your time and effort. It makes more sense to figure out your goals for the next year or so, and create a strategy to reach them. The best paths to follow grow organically out of your art, your values, and where you are in your career. Do experiment and try new things, but choose those that fit your goals. When you let go of illusions you discover a more complex and vital reality, where you will thrive. You don’t have to let go of your real self in order to succeed. Mary Edwards, Ph.D Career & Life Coach for Artists “Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People” Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards Comments are closed.
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