Making art (or any project) is not always straightforward. Sometimes when I’m working things go wrong again and again until I feel like I’m about to blow. This is pretty serious in a field where the maker’s feelings are directly translated into the work. When working in my studio, it’s incredibly important for me to be mindfully present in the moment with the artwork. That flow and direct connection to the work is what makes the artwork effective in communicating it’s message. If feelings are pulling me away from that mindful state the artwork can lose direction or the meaning of it will get muddy. Without knowing why, viewers will know it is less effective than another work I made when I was in a good frame of mind. So, when I’m frustrated it’s time to STOP WORKING and sort myself out.

This is equally applicable in life, where if you act in anger or frustration you usually make things worse.

So what do you do?

1. Disengage.

When you’re angry or frustrated, disengage and really take the time to calm down. Do not touch your project while you are in the wrong state of mind. Every choice you make when you are angry or frustrated will be immediately evident in the work. It’s too easy to act in anger and ruin the whole thing.

2. Let go of your expectations. 

For a good 15 seconds, let go of all your expectations of yourself. Do it for longer if you can. Feel that sweet relief?

3. Embrace the failure.

Problems are always hidden in the process and it’s your job to uncover them so you can fix them. So don’t wish them away. In failure there is INFORMATION. It’s one of the only times you get definite feedback. Embrace this and find the gem of learning that comes with it. (Remember – if you don’t you’ll just have that same lesson presented to you again and again until you learn it. Annoying but true.)

4. Take lots of deep breaths.

You need some time to assimilate the new information you’ve been presented with. Give yourself time to relax.

5. Do something else.

Switch activities if possible. This will help you return to your project with a fresh frame of mind.

6. Accept your new course of action.

You probably already know what you have to do differently. As Mark Twain said “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day” So EAT THAT FROG!

(BTW this is also the name of an excellent time management book)

7. Lighten up!

It will all be okay! Life is too short to be too serious or beat yourself up. You can’t force things to be different, so relax and focus on the positive. There is ALWAYS a positive side. The more you focus on it the more it grows.

8.  Take heart.

“Remember that feelings of greatest frustration and impatience are likely to arise just when things begin to feel most hopeful.” I read this recently and since then I’ve gone back to this wisdom again and again. Just because you are reaching your boiling point doesn’t mean all is lost. A breakthrough might be just around the corner.

9. Obviously, don’t give up.

You’re better than that. Dig deep and remember why you want this. Commit yourself and see it through.

10. Be in the Moment. 

If you don’t know what to do next, follow the advice of Audrey Kitching. “In my experience when you don’t know the next step to take, it means to surrender. If you can just trust and be in the moment, everything you need will show up. If you start forcing action out of fear or anxiety you normally just create more lessons.”

 

I truly hope this helps.  In my line of work, following your instincts is a huge part of the job.  A natural bonus is learning to follow your instincts greatly helps with life in general (and parenting – good God it really helps with parenting!).  So trust yourself and be in the moment without expectation or judgment.  The answers and sense of calm all flow from that mindful awareness.