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Have you ever done a performance, mounted an art show, given a speech, taught a class, or any other scenario where you are in front of a group, doing your thing? If so, chances are the performance gremlin has shown up right afterward, ready to tear you apart.

This mean-spirited or judgmental part of yourself may pounce on your efforts with words like:

• You blew it!
• They hated it.
• Why did you say that?
• No one bought anything – see, I told you…
• Don’t ever do that again!

Sound familiar? This voice lures many of us to shrink down and play small in life. It’s exactly counter to that part of us that wants to soar, that wants to express our deepest self, that wants to go out there and share our work with the world.

Yet doing so can seem risky. When we put ourselves in front of others, we risk judgment. We risk flubbing up. We risk exposing the naked truth that we are not yet perfect.

But these risks are no reason to stop ourselves from launching our work into the world. Many of my clients are putting themselves out there, and I do too, with my tours to France, my workshops and my speeches. I’ve developed a simple tool that will take the sting out of that post-show gremlin that seems to want to criticize us until we huddle in a dark, safe spot in the corner.

I call this the Post-Show Debrief, and you can use it after any kind of show or public thing that you put out there. Schedule time the day after or even that same day to take yourself somewhere pleasant. You may want to go to a park, a café, your creative zone, a wine bar, whatever works for you. Bring a notebook and write your answers to these questions:

• What worked? What went well?
• What can you acknowledge about your efforts?
• What would you add or change for the next time?
• What have you learned?
• How will you celebrate your efforts?

Feel free to add your own questions and write as much as you want in your Post-Show Debrief. Notice that the only question that invites a smidgen of criticism is the one where you ask what would you change or add. Framing it this way allows for growth, but not a critical attack. The voice that wants to criticize gets to add its opinion but in a constructive way.

Use the Post-Show Debrief to continue to grow and hone your skills. Tell the bouncer at the show that your critic isn’t allowed backstage.

What methods do you use to keep your critic at bay? Share them with us here!

Yippee! It’s Thursday again. Time for another Thursday Thirteen. And it just happens to be the 13th of the month. Woo-ooo. Here’s advice on getting over yourself and getting to the page.

Want to write but feel the weight of writer’s block? Use any or all of these ways to get your fingers in gear and your words on the page.

1. Look at things in increments, or cycles. For instance, for the next three months (or the rest of this season) I will focus on one element of my writing, for instance: writing as much as I can, learning as much as I can, research etc, etc. Setting an overall intention for a few months or weeks can help to prioritize your decisions for that time period.

2. Find and commit to a writing buddy. Meet once a week at a neutral location and spend at least 3/4 of the time writing. Watch out for chatting your writing time away.

3. What’s it about? Get clear on your motivations for writing. Having a foundation can be helpful to remind you why you are writing.

4. Schedule time to get the writing done. You are creating a new habit and will need persistence and discipline to stay on track. Whether you have large blocks of time or tiny pockets in which to write, use them.

5. Put aside the books on writing and just write. Do not confuse reading about writing with writing.

6. Set attainable goals with deadlines. Do not think you need to accomplish the entire project in one goal. Chunk it down by working in stages. Be sure to celebrate or reward yourself when you achieve these small goals.

7. Enroll your community in your writing. Let your friends, family and loved ones know why this is important to you. Ask for what you need in terms of time, space, respect for your creative life. You may be surprised at what you can get when you simply ask for support.

8. Call in help from your source. Ask God, the Universe, whatever your spiritual source for support. Don’t think you are alone.

9. Make your writing life your own. Take all the suggestions and advice you have heard and tailor them to suit your own needs and style. Be persistent and don’t let one unsuccessful attempt at someone else’s method stop you from writing.

10. Read really good writing. Inspire yourself with others’ magnificent words.

11. Do whatever it takes to enjoy the process.

12. Cease believing in that voice that tells you not to write. What seems like a giant boulder in the road is really a paper curtain. Just blow past it.

13. Sign up for my Creative Leap Program, offered in the month of September (2007) only. What a deal: three coaching sessions for half my normal rate. That’ll move the block out of the way.

The Starving Artist myth proliferates because it is often
accompanied by that other myth: creative people aren’t good at
business. With these ideas circulating, it’s easy to see how artists
struggle to succeed professionally.

But I don’t buy these myths. In fact, I believe that artists and creative people make the best business people. Here’s why.

Artists are experts in seeing the big picture.
They can hold an expansive point of view. This creative perspective,
this ability to see what isn’t there and to relish possibility, is key
to business success.

Good artists are adept at pinpointing the details.
A painter knows the difference between cobalt and azure, a writer uses
specifics to describe a character, and a sculptor’s strokes will make
all the difference in the end expression on a sculpture.

Artists and business people are willing to risk. There is no
guarantee in art, business, or life, but creative people take risks
every time they go into the studio. In fact, any art worth its salt
takes the artist and the viewer outside the realm of the known and
shows them something new.

Artists are able to dwell in the unknown. Art making is the
biggest adventure there is. If you do not know what you are creating,
if it will appeal to anyone, or if you will make any money at all,
you’re in good company with both artists and business people.

Business and art are fueled by a high level of passion. Any
advice on running a business will preach that you need to be passionate
to fuel the long stretches of challenging times. Artists thrive on
passion.

All of these characteristics give artists an edge over others in the
business realm. It’s great to be fueled by the knowledge that you do
have what it takes to succeed, and you also need to operate in a
business-like way to make it happen. Here are the keys to business
success that I have used and enjoyed.

Vision You have to want your creative success from a deep,
deep place.  What is this about for you, anyway? Have a vision for
yourself and your business. Write a vision statement that springs from
your values and passion for your art.

Commitment In a business or art career, there will be plenty
of ups and downs. It’s important to have a solid commitment that you
can return to when times are tough. You will question this commitment
again and again, but if you have a clear sense of your commitment at
the beginning, the dips will be navigable. Write a mission statement
for how you will fulfill your vision.

Follow through. Most success can be attributed to those extra
actions we take – sending a thank-you note, making a call, going the
extra mile, or researching a tip. Follow through is a key factor in
being able to maximize opportunities, build connections and deliver on
your promises. It’s also a key to being perceived as professional and
on top of things.

Build authentic relationships. Do
business with people that you want to be around. You want to be able to
be yourself with your support team (accountant, banker, coach) and your
clients (gallery owners, editors, clients). Connect with people who
share similar values, interests and art forms. Some people say that
building relationships is the key to success, so become a master at
being a good human with others.

Maintain self-care practices. Making art and building a
business is a lot of work. There can be a lot of stress involved with
art and business, so having a stable personal life is key. Know your
needs and do what you can to get them met. Know what helps you release
stress. Make sure that you have play time, too, since it can be easy to
work all the time at your art business.

Perspective This is the secret weapon. Perspective is the
most powerful tool we have. How you see the world, yourself, and your
enterprise all have an enormous impact on how successful you will be.
If you can shift your perspective easily, you’ll have a much broader
range of options available to you in your art and business. Practice
noticing throughout the day what perspective you are operating from.
Does it feel good? Bad? In between? How does the perspective of any
moment contribute to your work?

Systems For business success, you’ll want systems for
operating your enterprise, for marketing your work, and for handling
all the money that comes your way. Contact systems, marketing systems,
bookkeeping systems, and ways to catalogue your art and record your
sales are all essential for a thriving business.

Support Without peer, professional or mentor support, running a business is very difficult. You need people to bounce ideas off, professional guidance to steer you on the right path (accountants, bookkeepers, legal counsel, etc) and peers who can help you stay connected to what’s happening in your industry.

If some of these essentials make the artist in you cringe, take that
as an opportunity to see where you could grow. I can’t think of any
other work that challenges us to grow more than art and business. If
you want to stay safe and unchanged, you’ll want to choose another
path. But why would you? Art and business are grand adventures!

I’ve been in business for over eight years. I didn’t start out to be
a businesswoman, but to survive, I became one, and I like it. Running a
business is one of the most satisfying and empowering ways to express
your creativity in the world. I love helping other creative people be
successful businesspeople. If you want to start a business or bring
your current business to the next level, contact me for coaching or
consulting. 

When you’ve hauled yourself over the line of your deadline, when you’ve gotten the news that your story has been accepted, when a gallery finally sees your brilliance and puts your work on the walls, it is time to celebrate.
Here is a list of creative, inexpensive and fun ways to celebrate your successes. (The full article about celebrating is in this week’s The Muse. What? Not a subscriber! Go to my home page and join the party!)

Write a love note to yourself outlining all your brilliant characteristics.

Treat yourself to a new notebook or pack of pens.

Visit the art supply store and buy a new brush, tube of paint, sheet of beautiful paper, or other creative treat.

Take a pause. Go to the park or other natural environment and allow the sights and sounds to rejuvenate your spirit.

Give yourself an afternoon in the library, museum or bookstore. Pick up ideas and inspiration for the next creative phase.

Call up a creative buddy and schedule a walk or coffee date. Trade acknowledgements of each other’s progress.

Make a list of all the things you have done for your creativity in the last six months. Give yourself gold stars for everything.

Reread a journal or free write notebook. Take stock of how far you have come and prepare for more.

Compile your victories in a portfolio or notebook. Use a three-ring binder with plastic sheets to protect your clips, reviews, articles about you or other kudos you get.

Ask your significant other or a friend to help you celebrate. Let them in on the fun.

Get tickets for a concert, reading or gallery or museum show opening. Connecting to others’ creative expression will feed your own.

Make notes about what you brought to bear on your creative life. Your persistence, your sense of humor, your willingness to listen to your instincts, all will help you in the next phase of the journey.

Plan a retreat – an afternoon, a day, a weekend, a week – in a nearby locale to fuel yourself.

Make a list of your own celebrations and rewards. When you hit a milestone, small or large, you’ll be ready to party on! How do you celebrate? Share your ideas here.