Suffering From Information Overload?

What is information overload?

My take on it is…

Being impressed with too much

It’s being BURDENED with a real GORILLA of a problem, which is…

Presented with TOO many choices.

“Drowning in data”

(gulp)

Psst… they told me that things would get EASIER with the arrival of the Internet.

Most of us have never felt so OVERWHELMED.

Tsk

Tsk

Tsk

If you are an artist baffled as to where you should start because you have been exposed to SO MANY options to REALLY get the ball rolling, I have a few tips for you.

So let’s get on top of this problem with some…

Information Overload Management

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

1.    What is important?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

When you have finished reading this email, get UP and walk outside and decide what MATTERS the most to you.

I discovered some time ago that the best way to get on TOP OF information overload is to decide WHAT you want, and then begin to work your tail off.

And don’t look back.

Don’t consider the options anymore.

You’ll feel so much more POWER, ENERGY and PASSION for being an artist.

(Yep, you will)

2nd Thing you have to do is…

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

2.    Map The Day

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Before you let yourself get SOAKED and washed away with every TOM, DICK and Harry trying to get your attention, and waste a lot of your most precious resource which is…

TIME

Then decide HOW you are going to spend your time rather than let someone else decide that for you.

Not sure how too?

Have a look at the things you wrote down from principal one.

I refer to the “what is important?” list.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

3.    BLOCK distractions.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

When you are on the computer working, turn off Facebook instant messenger.

Turn off the MSN messenger

Turn off skype.

Stay out of the forums

And get some work done.

It really is as simple as that.

I DARE you to only read a 3 emails a day.

I DARE you to only ANSWER 3 emails a day.

Pssst… you don’t gotta read them. You don’t gotta answer them.

They CAN wait.

Honest.

Remember:  Feel the POWER of control

(wink)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

4.    Tell The Crew

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Do not be afraid to set boundaries.

You have to tell your family (friends) this is how it is…

“I gotta work, I work between these times, and I would GREATLY appreciate that we come to some arrangement so that I can make it happen, because I just have to make it happen”

I set those rules LONG ago

I wasn’t rude about it.

My crew appreciate it

They have seen the results I have made because of it.

They know I have to do what I do.

When you are just starting out, your family and friends may not be able to completely appreciate this request because in their mind you aint as famous as Mick Jagger.

So they be tempted to ask…

Okay, then why do you need all this “special time” then Miss Madonna?

Because you CANNOT progress unless you ESTABLISH boundaries to USE your TIME to contribute MASSIVE ENERGY into your creative calling.

And when you are not working, give your family and friends ALL the time you can.

Fair deal?

Yep, I think so.

The thing is, mastering information overload can be made really easy if you follow those steps.

The one thing that is going to see you produce results better than anything else is being able to MASTER your time.

Master Your PRIORITY = MASTER your TIME.

If you are looking to focus on just one avenue of selling your art, then keep your eye out because I am right in the middle of having my first art-marketing book published.

Wow

Exciting

I agree with you.

My book, “Get Your Art Out There” is due for release in the coming weeks.

So if you would like to know more, I will have an update real soon.

Till next time,

Share this Post[?]

Travel Bug

In my personal experience, nothing creates inspiration like traveling does. It opens your soul and in some respects extends your life. I have traveled to over 20 countries and it has truly added to my overall appreciation for life. Here are some pics from a few countries I have had the privilege to experience.

(Africa – Sahara Desert, Morocco) That was my camel – his name, “Jean Claude Van-Dame.” We got on quite well. Though I swear his snorts were an indication that he was getting tired in his old age.

The silence when you walk out far enough into the Sahara Desert is amazing. Though I did hear our travelling buddy Chris (from Canada) yelling something about not being happy with one of the locals charging him too much for the camel journey we were under taking. I heard him yelling something about leaving the camp and threatening to walk home – back to Canada.

Chris walking back to Canada

Myself and Chris in the main street of Marrakesh Morocco. What a wonderland that town is. Oh, that’s us trying to cross the street. It’s around about 4:15pm there. Not bad considering we starting trying to cross the street at quarter to three.

This is me in the Atlas mountains after just having recovered from being very ill. Something I ate. We did not manage to get up as high as we would have liked simply because our bodies were still in a bad way. But we had a go.

Yes that is a snake around my neck – a real one – a live one (Main square – Marrakesh).  Steve Irwin would have been proud of me – god rest his soul. Though I don’t look that confident do I? This apparently, is a custom to warn of bad spirits. Ironic – I actually told the spirits a long time ago that I hope I never get caught with a snake around my neck.

Sitting with a few Aussie travelers on the roof in Marrakesh.

(Cairo – Giza – Egypt) Gosh, that shirt got some wearing. What a place. really amazing. I was surprised that the pyramids of Giza are right on the city’s edge. I had always imagined it to be way out in the desert. In fact there is a McDonald’s just down the road from the pyramids.

Police wanting to know where I bought the shirt?  Not really. In fact they asking us leave the pyramid compound. You see, they actually close the gates at 5pm. We were still in there trying to get photos of the sun going down over the pyramids. After a bit of bartering, they let us stay. All they requested from me was some ‘pens.’ Yeah, like as in ‘biro.’ Seemed like a fair deal to me, though I am not sure to this day why there was such big interest in Biro’s in Cairo.

(Dahab, Egypt) I spent a lot of my time in Dahab Egypt under water. How could you not? It has some of the best coral reef diving in the world.

Waiting for my diving partner.

Everything is wonderful under the sea

(California, USA) Hey go easy on my enthusiasm. After all, this is Hollywood! The hair you can comment on, sure. But not the enthusiasm.

Halloween sure is one hell of a celebration in this town. I loved L.A.’s enthusiam for it. This is my bunch of pals throwing a party especially fo the occasion. We had just just rocked into town and had nothing to wear for halloween. Quickly found something though. That’s me on the far left.

(Petra, Jordon) What an awesome place! Mind blowing. To think that they carved that out of the face of the mountain back when there was inadequate scaffolding and no overtime wage incentives.

I always get his one mixed up, but I think this one is called the ‘embassy’ and the other one, for which we had to walk quite some way up the up through the valley mountain, is called the ‘Treasury.’

(Palmyra, Syria) - Sleepy Sandy Plains Of History Definitely one of the most amazing places I have had the pleasure to experience. I think it was the calmness and the quiet of Palmyra that made it such a tranquil but eye opening experience. We stayed one night. The evening meal played havoc on my stomach for 2 days after. It’s amazing how your stomach holds such a grudge huh…for 2 days! Sheesh!

That’s me trying to get an ever better view

Luxor, Egypt – By Night (Luxor Temple)

A little foreboding but an amazing atmosphere to be apart of this historical land mark at night.

Share this Post[?]

Waiting For Inspiration

I haven’t studied a lot of art history, so I don’t know much about it. But I like to think that is because I am often too busy contributing to it.

In other words I don’t rely on the history of art to push me forward with inspiration. I don’t spend 2 hours flicking through artist memoirs or wandering around the local museum. Call me an ignoramus, but that’s just how it is with me.

It kind of bugs me a bit when some artists suggest to other artists the long way around seeking inspiration in order to get some work done.

I may sound like a bit of a spoilsport, but only people pretending to be an artist sit around, search and spent hours wandering through their local library or gallery trying to seek inspiration.

The active artist, the disciplined artist does not worry about it. They don’t get up and say, “Gosh, where will I get my inspiration from today.” He or she knows that they just have to rock up. They just have to clock in.

They just have to get their tail into the studio at 9am sharp or 8pm sharp – whatever the schedule is.

Waiting for inspiration is like sitting around waiting for the perfect partner to knock on the door. It’s just not going to happen unless you leave the house and interact with people.

In other words, do whatever it is that you need to do in order to get the result you ultimately want. In the case of the artist, they just have to start working at 9am (or 8pm) whether it be scribbling, writing and planning – they just have to be in attendance and in front of the canvas,  so to speak.

This often requires you to work with a headache, with a toothache, without inspiration, after a bad exhibit, after a dispute with the phone company or hearing some bad news.

Yeah it’s hard, really hard some days. But it’s the only way to actively produce some solid results as an artist.

Are you still waiting for inspiration? Don’t wait, be proactive. Just try doing some work, you’ll often find it right there.

Power to you and your art!

Share this Post[?]

An Artists Prayer

1. Love what you do

2. Be patient

3. Do not tolerate disorder. Inspiration finds it difficult to present itself when there is chaos.

4. Don’t question your talent, just use it. Focus on how, and forget about why.

5. Always remember the best way around fear is going straight through it

6. Never make excuses. Nobody is responsible for your life but you.

7. Never wait for the perfect opportunity.

The path you walk will always be uneven. Learn how to step over the cracks, deal will the setbacks and learn to asses how to make the most of your time and energy in order to keep moving forward.

8. Know that as an artist, you are prone to self-sabotage. Don’t deny it, because if you do you can never be prepared to confront it.

Know that there is no greater force that will try to “remove you” from your craft than that little inner voice of defiance. Know that it is there, accept some of the crap it will try to get you to believe, but carry on doing your work regardless. Time, persistence and accepting that each day is a going to be different is what will keep you winning the fight against self sabotage and that little inner voice of defiance.

9. Don’t work for applause. Be of service to your craft.

10. Know that you are not your art.

Avoid identifying yourself through the paintbrush. Society, history, family and love have given you the privilege to be an artist. If you believe you are your art, you’ll dilly dally around in your own mind instead of mastering your technique. Master your technique, use the privilege you have been given, so when inspiration hits, you will always be ready to create that masterpiece(wink).

11. Don’t be too proud to seek help. Know that you cannot do it all on your own. Ask for assistance. We all need a lawyer, accountant and a coach.

12. Accept that the art industry is a breeding ground for criticism. Critics know that it hurts you when they are critical. Criticism is the weak man’s way of tyring to get you to be obedient. He knows full well that criticism doesn’t just hurt you psychologically; it hurts you on a cellular level also. Remove the emotion and look at your art objectively. Do that and you’ll be able to watch the critics tear your work to pieces while you sit back and have a laugh.

13. Know that your career as an artist and many days five, ten, fifteen years from now will throw challenges at you. Be aware of this and it will save you from being overcome by humiliation and defeat. Be aware of it so your inner voice of defiance (self-sabotage) does not wallow in it like a pig in a sty when challenges do arise. Keep your mind on what is good. Be grateful you get to use your craft and be the performer, regardless if you have to dodge a few tomatoes from the audience from time to time.

14. Acknowledge and appreciate other artists, creators and people serving your industry.

Power to you and your art!

Share this Post[?]

Tips On How To Be Awesome (wink)

Attitude is the single biggest attribute you must attain in order to be regarded as awesome.

Your interpretation as to what is going on is FAR more significant than what is actually going on. Think like that you’ll considered to be quite awesome.

Establish your OWN way of doing your thing. This is how you separate yourself from the herd.

Never avoid doing something for fear of what other people will think. Do not be unarmed by presumption. In other words, tell yourself (not them) “I don’t give a s___ what you think, I’m going to do it anyway!”

Never take criticism personally. Lose the emotional attachment to your art. Go pro and look at your work from an objective point of view. That’s business, not emotion. Create with emotion, but ditch it as soon as your work gets to the auction house.

Know you are outstanding, but always share your wisdom and never claim it as your own. The person who claims to know it all is a fool. The person who claims to know it all AND be the innovator of his wisdom is not a just a fool, but should be avoided at all costs.

ALWAYS remember that you cannot be awesome on your own. You need other people around you who are also awesome.

BE REAL and you’ll attain real friends, business associates and collectors.

Be accommodating.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. I can assure you there are people out there who already do. They don’t need any more company (wink).

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Your aweseome!

Share this Post[?]

What Do You See For 2010?

I have been laying out a basic blueprint plan for 2010.

Just like every year, I want the New Year to be my best year ever. It doesn’t always work out that way – in other words, there are always big challenges that throw my plans around and delay things. But I have become used to it now… and I factor that in to my plans.

If you have been sitting on the fence in regards to wishing you could do something worthwhile as an artist, then you should know that 2010 will be the same… a long time sitting on the fence… unless you write down what you want to do and create a few basic action steps to make it all fall into place.

If you have been meaning to start that business, then start it now.

If you have been meaning to get an exhibit up and running, then contact the owner of the venue you want to exhibit your work in, tomorrow.

If you have been putting off spending an allocated amount of time each day in your studio, then create a big poster that says, “What! Are you gutless? Then get in the studio, now!” and stick it on your bathroom mirror.

Make that art video and upload it onto YouTube.

Get your website built.

Start your blog and keep a regular running dialogue for your fans and collectors to read.

Do what it is you have been putting off and make it happen in 2010. Chances are, if you don’t, you probably never will. At least, that’s how I view it.

We can go and on and make every excuse we want. Um, I think they are called “rationalisations” actually. Rationalising and excuse making is part of our human genetic makeup. It’s like this unseen power that controls us. But if we are aware of it, we can actually acknowledge it and avoid it by simply doing the work we need to do in order to achieve what we want to achieve.

It’s that simple really. Just do your work.

Don’t have the time?

Get up two hours earlier (I do)

Still got an excuse?

Too bad… it just wont happen for you. And that is the reality of it. Unless you can stop listening to the bullshit you tell yourself, things simply will not happen.

All we have is now, so go and make it work. At least, give it all you have to try and make it work.

Do your work.

Make 2010 a cracking year and one you can look back on and tell the kids, “That was the year it happened for me”

Happy New Year.

Power to you and your art!

Carl

Share this Post[?]

STOP Procrastinating

Psssst… STOP procrastinating.

The problem with procrastinating is that you allow yourself to start believing that it’s okay “to not do stuff”.

Then we make the excuses…

And allow that little voice that is telling you, “I really want to get started…

…but I don’t know where to start…

what if I start at the wrong place and waste all that time because I should have started somewhere else…

…but I don’t know where that somewhere is else is…”

…to completely throw us further off track.

Heard that voice before?

Yeah, we all have.

The thing is, if you don’t know where to start or what action you need to take to get things going then it doesn’t really matter what you do.

All that matters is that you do something.

Just DO something.

Take some action.

If you have been putting off making a call, then pick up the phone and ring the gallery.

The person on the other line is human just like you… and therefore has the same concerns, fears, wants for their family, are in need of a vacation, probably is embarrassed to admit that they watched Everybody loves Raymond too much, have kids that are too loud, a sister-in-law who simply will not stop at 3 glasses of wine at the family barbeque and demands for the the karaoke machine to be turned on…

Get my point?

We all are, in a general sense, the same in many ways.  So to avoid putting off making that call, think of the person on the other end of the line as a person just like you.

Don’t let procrastination get in the way of experiencing life.

Hey I have a secret for you…you are going to make mistakes, you are going to cop some criticism, you are going to wonder at times if it is all worth it.

Well it is all worth it… because this is your life… and apparently, so I have been told, we only get to do it once.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t deprive the world of your gift. Phone people who can help you share that gift.

Stop procrastinating and do it.

No more cookies FOR YOU until to make the call (wink)

Share this Post[?]

You Are Such An Amateur Artist

It doesn’t matter how far you go as an artist in your career…

You will always have that element of being an amateur.

“Gosh, how dare he condemn me like that” I just heard the guy at the back holler.

Sit down Restless Geoffrey… and allow me to explain.

There is nothing derogatory about being labelled an amateur artist.

Our modern culture is partly to blame for our misinterpretation of what amateur actually means or represents.

The word Amateur essentially comes from the Latin verb, “amare”

Which means, “to love”.

So… to be an amateur artist simply means…

“To do what you love doing”

It is actually a word to describe “experience”

Not “achievement”.

Slightly profound huh

I think so too.

Being amateur is not about how well you do it, but about how much you enjoy doing it (wink).

That’s called being an amateur.

Being amateur is based more on the quality of your experience…

Not the quality of your performance.

So what the difference between being an amateur And a pro?

A pro loves what she does MORE than an Amateur does…

Because a pro sits down and does all the Mundane stuff in order to uphold the inspiration and to maintain a routine.

A professional loves what she does, but also knows what she does.

An amateur only loves what she does.

Being an amateur is groovy to begin with

But think pro

Professionals don’t have to deal with criticism because They look at their work objectively.

They KNOW they are not their art

That’s a pro

A pro is patient

A pro contributes to her work EVERYDAY

An amateur waits till the weekend

A pro don’t make excuses

They make hay while the sun is shining

Think pro

Share this Post[?]

Can’t Find The Time?

I often hear people complain about how they “can’t find the time”. Don’t get me wrong; I used to be one of those people who always complained about how I didn’t have enough time.

But now, when I quiz folk on how they use their time each day, I normally discover that they don’t actually have a problem finding time at all. They simply have a problem prioritising their time. I made this very mistake also (I make lots of mistakes, I don’t mind admitting it).

I don’t say it to brag, but I often start my day at 4am. So I am often putting in an 18-hour day. It’s beyond my physical capabilities to do this every single day. I wish I could, because there is always something I need (want) to do… always. But I start at this time to get a head start. If I don’t get up at this time, which does happen through being exhausted, I get disappointed and feel pushed for time. I often end my day around 9pm, or later if I can manage it.

Is this all work? No. I have a family that requires my time during the day also. But it is mainly all working.

I was taught some years ago that it is an entrepreneur’s duty to find time… no matter what. This made sense to me instantly. In order to take on the responsibility of steering a career, you must work outside the boundaries of conventional time. In other words, you have to find time to get what you really want. It was Donald Trump who once said something along the lines of: “You can build a business or you can make excuses, but you can’t do both”.

I have discovered that email is one of the biggest time wasting activities you can get yourself trapped in. I, like many, use to check my email constantly. If I was having a quick break from painting or talking on the phone… I’d check my email. But the worst part was that I found myself responding to these emails during my “real” working time – which of course is producing artwork.

Lucky for me, I soon realised I wasn’t the only one with this problem. When I got to talk with other artists and people operating a business via the Internet, I quickly discovered that many people suffered from “email addiction”.

So in order to battle this addiction, I had to find out why I was unconsciously checking my email so much. I discovered I had this need for contact with people. There is this element of wanting to feel significant. I likened it to a little kid eagerly running to the letterbox each hour of the day every day – enthusiastically waiting for his or Christmas card from grandma. The little boy or girl wants to feel significant. He or she wants proof that someone is thinking of them – is providing the attention they desire.

I discovered that my actions were purely motivated by this need to feel significant. Sure, I was often responding to genuine inquiries, or trying to help a fellow artist find their way with their creative endeavour.  But deep down my need to check my email constantly was very much like the child running to letterbox to receive their prize of attention.

This is also half the problem with social media sites like twitter and facebook. There is a lot of time being wasted assessing our popularity instead of getting the real work done. In fact there is a great quote made in a video by Seth Godin – he mentions how the Internet is just one big cocktail party (click here to watch the video).

Another thing I started the implement is keeping track of what I actually achieved each day. I am not completely disciplined with this activity, but I am doing better than I thought I would. By doing this; it allows me find out where I am wasting time and where I can potentially utilize time to my advantage. I only spend 15 minutes doing this most days of the week. It does actually help to get some perspective of how well or not so well I use my time.

Yep, keeping a “time management” journal is as boring as bat crap. But for someone like me who has a tendency to “drift”, it does help.

I have also discovered that we don’t actually suffer from time management.  It’s actually a personal management problem we suffer from. We can’t actually manage time. Time will continue to tick away. So knowing this made me realise that it was up to me to get a bit more (um… much more) focused on personal management.

This could mean things like outsourcing some of the busy work that really eats at your time (email, general administration type of work). Getting a lot more healthier in order to last throughout a working day without getting too tired. Starting your day earlier is another.

When I first decided to start at 4am, my wife laughed out loud. In fact I kind of laughed too. I was somewhat of a hibernating bear when it came to sleeping. So the idea of starting very early in the morning naturally generated a few giggles.

But here’s thing… when you truly begin to eliminate all the lies you tell yourself, and truly begin to focus on what it is that you want, you won’t struggle so much with finding time. You will simply find more time to do things that need to be done or you will find ways or people to help you to get those things done.

If you are operating with passion, time won’t be so hard to find… I can assure you of that.

Share this Post[?]

Believe In Your Potential

Ever since I created the CAKUart website, I have received emails from some artists who have really struggled to find some direction.

I think it’s too easy to simply say, “Hey man, you have to believe in yourself,” because this sounds like standard rhetoric to a struggling soul.

Believing in yourself is paramount; there is no doubt about that. But there are 4 factors that need to be considered in order to become the best that you can be.

Step 1. “Potential”

The first step is to be able to realise our potential. Knowing our potential is really like being able to look through the window of our life.

How do you realise your potential?

• Keep an open mind… ALWAYS
• Remove the words “I can’t” from your vocabulary

• Keep creating… then create some more.

• Rid your thoughts of “age” excuses (”Oh I’m too old for that”) and energise your mind, body and soul. In fact, rid yourself of all excuses (wink).

• Push your self… explore outside common boundaries… face new challenges.

• Take your resources into the unknown.

These are just a few ways that you will discover your potential.

Step 2. “Action”

When you know your potential, take action. But take action right away.

Allocate TIME to what you want each and every day (study, research, training, creating, designing and planning)

It doesn’t matter if you can only find 15 minutes on some days. It’s all about maintaining a level of consistency.

Step 3. “Results”

Your ability to take action will determine the results you will get.

When you have realised your potential and you have taken action, be sure to measure your results.

So for example: let’s say you have determined that you have the potential to produce 6 paintings for a local exhibition in 3 months time. Now you have taken “action” to load up on materials to complete the work and spoken to the exhibit organisers, arranged some self-promotion and created a blueprint plan of attack.

When the exhibit is finished make sure to sit back and measure your results against the time, money and energy you put into the whole project.

By being consciously aware of your results gives you so much clarity and allows to make better use of that time, money and energy next time.

The important thing is not to concentrate too much on the negative and positives (Ok, I admit, I do strut my little dance when it all goes splendidly well – wink) concentrate on the result.

Take note of things like feedback from people who bought your work and from people who didn’t buy your work.

Take note of the challenges you had and how you over came them or didn’t manage to break through them.

Step 4. “Belief”

Lastly, you need the belief that you have the potential to take action in order to measure your results. In other words, you need to have a real sense of certainty that you have the potential to take action and produce results.

This certainty that you have the potential lies within how well you identity with yourself.

The biggest problem we suffer from is doubt, and that is often caused by not being sure if something will work or not. So if we are unsure about whether something will work or not, then we are little apprehensive about even trying. Also, doubting our ability to do something is often caused because we don’t actually know what it is that we have to do.

So what you need to so is ask yourself “Why” is this important you. “Why” do you need to realise your true potential? “Why” do you need to take action? What will it mean if you don’t see your potential, take action and produce results?

I have discovered that just wanting to achieve something isn’t enough. There has to be a jet engine attached to your purpose, and that jet engine is “why” do I want what I want.

This will help to develop your real sense of certainty, which will in turn help you to see your potential, then take action and produce results.

Power to you and your art!

Share this Post[?]

Next Page »