Understanding Patience: a Review of 2022
Have you heard of the well-known saying, “patience is a virtue”? I would like to think I am virtuous, but I will be the first to admit that patience is a trait I lack. In today’s ever-demanding society, we have grown used to fast results and immediate satisfaction. However, when it comes to building a solid business and a stable online presence, there is no shortcut (at least none that I have found). It’s not like I’m looking for an easy button or a magic formula for instant success, but it would be nice to know all the work I am doing will eventually get me somewhere. So, yes, I am a little impatient when waiting for results.
As December was quickly approaching, an alarm began to go off in my head yelling, “the year is almost over!” It made me wonder if all the work I did amounted to noticeable progress . . . I was tempted to answer NO, and this, of course, started an onslaught of questions.
For the last 12 months, could I be happy with the amount of time and effort I put into my art business?
Did I make the most of my free time to be productive?
Should I be further along in my journey to being a successful artist?
Do I need to push harder next year - and what does that look like?
Did I match the passion of those big entrepreneurs on the podcast channels I listen to?
Did I sacrifice enough, and should I have said no to more things?
Should I feel guilty if I wanted a little work/life balance?
Was I spending TOO much time on my art biz? Would I risk burning out?
Do you find yourself asking similar questions? Obviously, having a serious side hustle eats up a lot of free time and can feel like it’s throwing life out of balance. It’s crucial to put in the work, but living in the moment is important too. I wanted to be present with my husband, family, and friends during the times we were together because time is not guaranteed. I was also frustrated. Was my impatience justified? I should be grateful for any amount of progress. There is another saying, “small steps are better than no steps”. Sure, I may not be where I want to be, but I’ve taken steps in that direction.
Needless to say, it was a week of turmoil as I pondered endless questions and wondered if I should be satisfied with the year. Then, one day, it was like the universe gave me a sign by starting its own version of an email campaign for me. I think it could tell I was struggling . . . The first “email” or message I received was when I arrived at my day job. I began my morning routine by flipping the page over in my affirmation calendar to the current day (like I do every day I am in the office).
It read, “I trust the timing in my life”. As I stared at the message, I thought about how much it applied to me at that very moment. I instantly made the connection to my patience. Maybe I should just trust that I’m progressing along as I need to be. Maybe I should be patient with the results of my slow but consistent hard work. Maybe . . .
It was the following day when the next “email” was delivered. I was still absorbed in my thoughts and decided a walk during my lunch break would do me some good. When the weather is nice, I enjoy walking the trail near my company’s building. I’ll take in the views of the trees and the stream that hugs the trail while I tune in to a podcast. I have my usual marketing and business podcasts I follow, but that day, I felt like listening to Art Juice: A podcast for artists, creatives and art lovers. It just so happened to have a new episode published called “Pace & Patience”. It seemed like the perfect time to listen.
This week we're talking about patience - something we both sometimes lack. As artists, we often place pressure on ourselves; to make a painting, or a series of paintings. Or we pressure ourselves to build a "successful" art business; or to get in the right galleries; or to win a prize.
It was like the episode was truly speaking to me! I was placing a lot of pressure on myself by making up goals for the number of prints I could create by a certain time. I was beating myself up for not being consistent on social media. I would feel guilty for wanting to watch a show with my husband after an exhausting day of work because I felt the time could be spent being more productive. I guess it made me feel better about not being the only one with these thoughts and feelings. Of course, I know others are going through the same thing, but being wrapped up in my own head caused me to forget that. So, it was a relief to be reminded that I wasn’t alone in this struggle.
The episode also went on to talk about impatience. I was viewing impatience as a negative thing, but they shined a different light on the word. What if impatience is used as motivation to progress? If having impatience keeps you on track, perhaps it is not such a terrible trait to have. I know I have the capability to be lazy or unproductive, but having that fire to create and improve keeps me going. I just need to quit being so hard on myself. I need to stop comparing myself to successful artists who have been doing this longer than me. Ultimately, I should be happy with my pace and where I’m at in my own unique journey.
While I was chewing on this new revelation, I could feel the questions subside and the pressure dissolve slightly. I felt like I needed to pause, take a step back, and reflect on the year. Sometimes, we are so determined and focused on the destination, we forget to look back at the progress we made. Are you guilty of this too?
Reflecting on 2022
My art business really started a year and a half ago, with my first event selling art at Free Comic Book Day. That was in May, and it is so funny to see the picture of my booth now because I literally had 5 print designs of all the same size (12” x 18”), and 2 greeting cards. I can’t believe it, but during that day, I made over $500! Of course, I had some help from my friends.
I participated in two shows that year and doubled the number of shows I went to in 2022. Planet Comicon Kansas City was my dream event, and I was accepted as an art exhibitor! It was an amazing experience and another accomplishment to consider. By the last event of 2022, my inventory grew to include 14 designs with 2 different print sizes. I added 3 more greeting cards, and I increased my products to include stickers. Additionally, I’ve made valuable connections with other artists and vendors - expanding my network.
I haven’t even described all the behind-the-scenes tasks I’ve done for my business.
I found a printing company I liked for my products
I created a website and learned its features
I learned about copywriting and other business/digital marketing strategies
I learned about email campaigns & started an email list
I started sending newsletters
I learned (still learning) about SEO to improve my website
I figured out supplies and shipping for my products
I created and opened my online shop
I promoted my first Black Friday sale
The list goes on!
I don’t want you to think I am writing all this as a way to brag, because that is not my intention. I’m merely showing how I took big accomplishments and broke those into smaller tasks to really grasp all that I did this year. Like, I may have pulled off a few momentous things, but what did I have to do to achieve them? It made me realize that I have taken a lot of steps to get to where I am now, and I should be proud of myself.
To further drive this point home, it was about a week later when the last “email” was delivered to me. I was beginning my day at work when I flipped another page in my affirmation calendar. That day, the message read, “I am in the perfect place in the perfect time”. It made me smile and in my mind, I jokingly said, “I get it Universe, ok!?” But, at that moment, I finally felt like it was true.
So, if you are feeling the pressure of not accomplishing enough for 2022 (perhaps, with your hobby, your studies, your career, your fitness goals, or life goals), I urge you to take a breath. Step back and reflect on everything you’ve done like one of my art friends did:
“. . . I never celebrate any of my ‘wins’. I constantly feel like I’m not doing enough or could be doing better - so it was nice to look back at my year-end review to remind myself that I’m doing okay”
Take permission to celebrate those small wins. All of those seemingly tiny victories add up, and I think you’ll realize you have accomplished more than you originally thought. And if you do feel impatient with the journey, know that you are not alone. Use that trait as fuel to spur yourself into this new year! A friendly reminder though (me included) - be sure to check in with yourself every once in a while and show appreciation. You are on the path to amazing things!
- As always, stay stellar.
