Simple advice to a young artist (that applies to almost everything you want to do that’s not your existing job)

This week I met with a favorite young artist. She wanted to know how to get an art career started.

My feeling about anything of importance is that you make it a practice. A daily practice.

And you make it one of simplicity.

Simplicity will get you farther — if practiced every day — than complexity. Complexity collapses of its own tangled weight.

Advice for anyone seeking a creative career
(who has a job doing something else)

1. Make it a creative practice.

One hour each day will take you places.

Approach your creative practice with the same reverence and commitment you would for a meditation practice. Or an exercise program. 

Or how you would woo the love of your life.

Treat your creative practice that way. 

You’d make an hour no matter what.

More on your days off.

Enter your creative practice for an hour a day — maybe more — whatever won’t overwhelm you.

And then gauge for yourself — over the months — the mind-blowing magic of accrued time.

If you weren’t an artist, you’ll become one. If you weren’t a designer, you’ll become one. If you weren’t a writer, you’ll become one. If you weren’t an entrepreneur, you’ll become one.

2. Carve out one hour a week minimum for outreach

By outreach I mean marketing.

Marketing yourself can feel slimy to the uninitiated. When you think of marketing as outreach — as relationship building — as research to find out whom could benefit most from what you’re offering . . . then everything changes. 

You’re not selling something you don’t believe in — you’re putting something out there for mutual benefit. Yours and those who will support you.

Companies do R&D. Research and development.

You will do R&O. Research and outreach.

Over time you will add more time to your R&O. Maybe you’ll ramp up to two hours a week. Or three. You’ll feel the need at the right time.

With your R&O you’re seeking something simple. The best for all. The best for you and the best for those who will use or acquire what you create.

That’s all you need to do to start a glorious creative career. 

Really.

Don’t mess it up by complicating it. Keep it simple. Do those two things. That person you could become is beckoning you . . . 

Future You wants you to start now, so Future You arrives in a sooner future.

For you —

Evan Griffith
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Click here for (occasional) notes at the intersection of creativity and spirit. Once a month, maybe.