Small Wins

Most of us are still trying to understand the recent election, making sense of it however we can. It seems to me that if you cannot absorb the big picture, it is helpful to look at the details. A good friend of mine was gazing at the big screen, and took a snapshot of one race in Virginia, where the winner was a personal favorite. She found a small win in the midst of major loss. 

And that’s the only advice I have right now that might apply to artists struggling to create an authentic life in difficult times. Your own small wins matter, and sometimes they’re all that sustains you. The art you are making, your effort to show and sell it, your network of supporters, all create the fabric of your art practice and career.

Think about your own small wins in the last year. Some of these will have been surprises, seemingly coming out of the blue, but pay attention to how they happened for you. Maybe you tried new things, or let yourself be vulnerable in new ways, or reached out to new sources for help and advice.

Also make note of what hasn’t worked for you. Don’t continue to bang against doors that won’t open. One of my favorite mantras for artists is: do more of what’s working, do less of what’s not working, and try something different to see if you get better results.

Avoid isolation. So many artists are introverts, and withdraw themselves when they are struggling with disappointment. Find your community, spend time with people who share your values, use your art to explore what you are thinking and feeling. 

Then focus on creating small wins.