In the early 1990’s Steven Covey wrote a book entitled “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” which became a huge best seller and still sells well today. It was a book that provided a holistic and a principled approach for problem solving, living and adapting to change by seeing opportunities rather than problems.

1. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Artists
In the early 1990’s Steven Covey wrote a book entitled “The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People” which became a huge best seller and still sells well today. It was a
book that provided a holistic and a principled approach for problem solving, living and
adapting to change by seeing opportunities rather than problems.
I believe that there are also seven habits which artists should follow to become highly
effective and successful. Though I am detailing seven habits, I am sure that the
readers of this article can contribute other successful “habits” as well.
The seven habits of highly effective and successful artists are:
1. Having a passion for your art: Foremost, the artist must have a passion for
their art and everything that is associated with being an artist. Why is this? It
is because there will be problems, barriers and challenges to being an artist.
But, if you are passionate about what you do, these issues will be perceived
as detours to success, rather than “problems”.
2. Being focused on your art: A successful artist will not be distracted from
their art and their commitment to achieving their goals. To be successful at
most things requires a focus and a “singleness of purpose”. Successful artists
have this focus, as their art is a priority in their lives.
3. Having a vision of your success: Artists who are successful had a vision
and saw themselves achieving great things in their chosen profession.
Despite any roadblocks, problems or defeats, their vision kept them working
towards their goal. Even after that artist has achieved their goals, a successful
artist will create new goals and a new vision to be achieved.
4. Being persistent in the face of adversity: Most people in the face of
adversity quit. People who got past the adversity did so because they
persisted on towards their goal. Persistence is the difference between a
successful artist and an artist who quits. The quitter loses focus and their
vision.
5. Professionalism in all dealings: A successful artist is a professional in all of
their dealings with the public, gallery owners, art reps and with suppliers. It is
simple, if they were not professional, then they would not be successful for
very long.

2. 6. Is ready to maximize opportunities: A successful artist is prepared and
ready to maximize and leverage any opportunities that come their way.
Whether it is to fill in quickly for another artist at a gallery, give an interview,
and writes an article for a blog or to give a speech to a group, a successful
artist sees that as an opportunity to network, promote and brand their artwork.
Unsuccessful artists see those not as opportunities but rather something that
interrupts what they were doing! The artist who is engaged and ready to
capitalize on opportunities when they come along will be or become
successful.
7. Understanding that art is a business: Successful artists see themselves as
business people. They understand that other people who they are connected
with in the art world are also business people and they conduct themselves in
that manner too. Now more than ever in today’s marketplace art is a
business. Art is a competitive business and an artist will learn how to
successfully operate it as such or they will eventually fail.
As I said previously, there are other habits and traits of successful artists beyond
what I have outlined above. But, if an artist is talented and applies these 7 habits to
their craft, they will be successful.
http://www.lightspacetime.com
7-5-2011