Approach Your Life Like An Artist

Mark Collins

Every January I do a stone carving symposium and I am always amazed by the similarities between creating a sculpture and my business/life. Most of the artists that attend, come back year after year, but there are always a handful of new people all of whom I learn something new from.

I have listed 10 things that are part of the magic that have kept me going back for the last 20 years.

1. When you don’t know what to do, make finding out your first goal.

2. When you don’t know where to start, write a list, pick a priority (even if it is not the best place to start, getting started is an absolute priority and more important than starting in the right place). As soon as you start creating momentum, it gets easier.

3. Notice how you are sabotaging yourself. We all do it at times; negative talk, fear of making a mistake, procrastination, etc. Just stop it!

4. Creativity is a real asset, but requires equal quantities of courage to fully utilise all you have.

5. Keep chipping away, even when you are tired and everyone else has stopped.

6. Ask yourself periodically, what help do I need and how do I find it? Asking for help is a smart play, taking action with it is even smarter.

7. You will make mistakes and have setbacks. Embrace them as part of it and keep going.

8. Learn from observing, strategy is incredibly valuable.

9. Learn to be free to own your own goals and not what you think others expect of you.

10. Learn to be generous. Find pleasure in giving (a laugh, a listening ear, encouragement- are all highly valuable things to give to your friends)
The thing that really stands out for me is that none of the things on this list are rocket science. They are all things that we can do, but for whatever reason don’t always manage to do.

Here are three keys to help make these 10 tips your super power:

1. Consistency is a game changer so do them all – they amplify each other.

2. Make a life-long commitment to develop your confidence – every little bit is gold.

3. Enjoy doing the work – it will help you enjoy your life.

These three key attitudes are paramount to a wonderful life and to help nourish these, I use exercise, meditation, humour, love and good food. There could be other things that other people have had success with, so feel free to find your own ways to nourish yourself. I personally think success is within the reach of everybody so you owe it to yourself to practice trying to be a little bit better every day. Confront any fears you may have, discard your ego and get started. It really is worth the effort to do everything you can to be happy, success and good luck will follow.

Committing to the list will allow you to improve on a continuous basis, so taking my own advise, I have committed to asking for more help this year. From my trusted business associate, Erica Nguon, and all our consultants; Niki Loe, my personal trainer for nutrition and wellbeing; Fabrice and James, my business and accountability coaches; James Roskvist, my accountant; my wife Tracey and my daughter Saskia, on all other matters. My point here is that we need different help from different people and it is a whole lot easier when you have a team helping you. Not surprising, they all agreed to help (not just because I will have to pay them), but because my success will be their success, which in turn will help with their happiness.

Action: List the people on your team, ask them for help and approach your life like an artist!