How's it going where you are? Over here I'm preparing for my Open Studio that's happening this September. It's an annual, two day event where I get to share my work with more than 150 people.
After coming back from vacation, though, I started to feel waaaaay overwhelmed by all of the things I want to do---making new work, trying an idea I have for a new medium, getting an invite printed, cleaning and setting up the studio for visitors, and so much more. It felt like I had the entire summer ahead of me just a few weeks ago but now, it doesn't feel like that when I look at the calendar.
And, I realized how far behind I feel. Again. Sheesh. Am I letting myself down?
You ever feel that way?
Luckily, I came across something that pulled me out of that downward spiral of thoughts and feelings. It's a three word phrase that really helped to focus me on what I want to do with my work and open studio event...
Own Your Outcomes
It's a simple phrase and honestly, I'm not sure why it hit me like a cold slap in the face, but it did. And I'm glad. I needed it.
When I read it, it helped me to distill down exactly what I want to do to have an event that feels and is successful. And, it's allowing me to feel good about cutting loose the things I decide not to do, instead of feeling badly about not getting to them. Even for some of the things that I felt particularly attached to doing.
Those words got me prioritizing what I really want to do and separating them from the "cool things" that I just heard another artist talking about on a podcast interview that, at the time, sounded like great ideas for me.
I'm prioritizing the outcomes I want as a result of my actions. Yes, I want to sell my work but I also want to enjoy the process of getting ready for a big event like my open studio, I want to feel excited about what I'm sharing with people, I want to have fun during the event, and I want the event to support and fuel me in ways that go beyond adding people to my mailing list.
Have you thought of it this way?
Do you have an event coming up soon? Or maybe you'd like to share your work more on social media. If so, what are the outcomes you really want to have as a result of doing that event or posting on social media?
Can you adjust your actions to better support those outcomes?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Let me know in the comments an outcome that you'd like to really own for your next event or even your next social media post.
Know that you can make it happen!
Cheers,
Kate