Photo by Jess Bailey @ Pixabay
Why would you spend time on a business plan? Probably because it’s the first step to take your artistic career seriously.
‘A goal without a plan is just a wish’ Antoine de St Exupéry
If you’re driving, unsure of the roads to take, you have great probabilities to get lost. But if you have planned your journey, chances are, you will reach your destination.
Of course, sitting down trying to forecast projects and numbers can be quite daunting. This is why I have prepared a business template for Artists and Writers super easy for you.
Step 1: Only Do Projects that Give You a High
If you know you’re going to be working on halfhearted projects, you’ll end up discouraged and will not finish them.
In other words, your projects should excite you. They should be in alignment with your purpose. They should make you FEEL GOOD.
‘’Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything’’ Napoleon Hill
Step 2: Don’t Overload Your Business Plan
It’s tempting to cram many projects in one year but it can also be a great factor for giving up everything.
Only three to four big projects a year seem more manageable. Do only one project at a time, so you can stay fully focused on it and thus you become more efficient.
Moreover, the other reason for not overloading your business plan is to have enough room for FUN.
‘Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor.’ Paul Hawken.
It will also fuel your creativity in amazing ways.
Step 3: Visualize the Outcome But Don’t Focus On It
‘Intention is one with cause and effect. Intention determines outcome. And if you’re stuck and not moving forward, you have to check the thought and action that created the circumstance’. Oprah Winfrey.
While it is crucial to visualize your end goal and feel the good vibrations of the finish product, don’t focus exclusively on the outcome. The outcome is not up to you. Of course, it’s nice to imagine being a bestselling author but you won’t be able to control the buying of your books. Your audience will decide if they’re going to buy or not.
Your job is to make an amazing product. Visualize a happy outcome but focus on your day to day task, to make this project wonderful and irresistible.
Step 4: Take Action and Show Up Everyday
You must hear it, read it, and see it all the time: Take action.
Easier said than done, right?
When we’re ready to rock and roll often Procrastination kicks in. Not nice. Suddenly we don’t feel like working on our projects, and we end up doing something else, such as watching TV for instance, feeling bad about ourselves.
Here is my one million dollar trick: Take action for FIVE minutes a day. Too much? OK then, try ONE minute a day.
Each time I don’t feel like writing, I tell my brain: ‘OK, let’s do this for one minute.’
Next thing I know, I worked on that thing for an hour.
This is as simple as that.
Step 5: Be Kind to Yourself
Even if your inner voice is shouting: ‘You’re not good enough’ make a point to do it anyway. Override that nasty voice with some feel good music and get on with whatever you’ve got to do.
Make sure you take care of your whole being too: soul (meditate), mind (read) and body (exercise). It’s all connected and intertwined.
Allow yourself to have some time off too, to recharge your batteries. I’ve seen it many times, I’ve been there myself. Burnout is real. It’s horrible.
Being nice to yourself also means to be ruthless with distractions. Since I turned off all my notifications, I feel much calmer. Okay I admit it, sometimes I’m missing some messages on the spot but my pulse stays stable. I look at my messages or my emails when I’m ready to do so, not while I’m working.
Also don’t beat yourself up when you fail.
‘Every adversity, even failure, every heartache, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit’ napoleon Hill
Failure is part of success. If you look at the people who succeeded, they all had a big disappointment. They didn’t let failure define them. They cried and carried on.
Life happens. Sometimes a life event might disturb your plan. Take one thing at a time. Take a break from everything. All you need to do is re-adjust your plan for the future, that’s all. Trust in the process of creation and its perfect timing.
Intense belief + Firm intention + Intense dedication: Manifesting your desires.
Wishing you my best wishes for your creative plans.
Refreshingly different. Great site.
Thank you Fiona xxx
Thanking you!
Thank you for your support Elinor xxx