“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
We’ve all heard it and most of us follow it—at least when it comes to talking to other people. Would you tell a fellow artist that their work isn’t strong enough to enter a competition or that they aren’t any good at marketing? Probably not. Do you ever say these things about yourself, either out loud or to yourself? Hopefully not!
Negative self-talk happens in your head, so it’s not as obvious as verbal criticism—but it’s just as harmful. It can also be habitual. And if you tell yourself the same negative statement over and over, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It’s Time for a Self-Talk Shift!
Don’t be a captive audience to self-criticism. The first step is to become aware of the behavior, then correct it. Replace these common self-criticisms with positive, affirming messages to yourself.
Don’t say “I can’t sell.”
Say “I am excited to share my work with people.”
Think about your interactions with people interested in your work as engaging them in a conversation, rather than selling to them.
Don’t Say “I hate social media, so I don’t want to use it to promote my work.
Say “I’m open to learning more about what social media can do for my business.”
New activities and skills can be daunting. It’s easy for lack of familiarity to lead to disinterest or even fear, which could cause you to miss out on the benefits of a new way to promote your work. Instead of avoiding the activity, take the first step in moving forward. Ask for advice from another artist or find an online video to learn more about the skill.
Don’t Say “I don’t think everyone will like my art.”
Say “I am a talented artist and there will be people who appreciate my work.”
It is impossible to please everyone with your work. Even the most famous artists have their critics. Instead of focusing on people who won’t like your work, focus on people who are interested in your work.
Don’t Say “I’ll never be as good as (other artist).
Say “I wonder what she’s doing that I can learn from.”
There will always be someone who is more established and successful than you. Resist the urge to compare yourself to other artists. It will just leave you feeling defeated and discouraged. Instead, use the artists that you admire as a source of inspiration and motivation.
Don’t Say “I don’t have enough time for my art business.”
Say “I will make time for my art business.”
Everyone starts with the same number of hours each day, and only we can decide how they’re spent. While there are certain obligations that can’t be avoided, like work and caring for kids, you may be surprised by how much time you can free up by eliminating unnecessary activities.
Don’t Say “I’ll never be that successful.”
Say “I am exactly in the place I am supposed to be right now.”
Embrace your art business in its current state. Don’t wait until you reach your goals. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t improve and grow your business. It means you can enjoy the process of moving it along.
Don’t Say “I failed.”
Say “I’m learning and creating new behaviors.”
When you’re struggling to move forward with your business and get your work out into the hands of collectors, roadblocks and setbacks are inevitable. Instead of labeling them as failures, regard them as lessons.
Don’t Say “I’m too old to start an art business.”
Say “I’m up for the challenge, and I can do this.”
Of course, you can!
Don’t Say “People are going to criticize my work. .”
Say “People will admire me for working hard.”
There will always be critics, but most people will be appreciative of your efforts. Don’t be discouraged by criticism. Instead, take what you can learn from it and leave the rest behind.
This journey is yours and yours alone, and you should never feel like you’re inadequate for working to improve your art business. Take pleasure in each step along the way.
Are there other negative things that you say to yourself as an artist? How can you “flip” them into words of self-encouragement?
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Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
