Design Principles: Collaboration and Competition
Structures #21 ©2003 12" x 12"
Post #4 on my thoughts on the design principles from my kids’ Expeditionary Learning school and how they relate to being an artist. [All my posts on design principles.]
Design Principle #6: Collaboration and Competition
Teach so as to join individual and group development so that the value of friendship, trust, and group endeavor is made manifest. Encourage students to compete, not against each other, but with their own personal best and with rigorous standards of excellence.
The Power of the Group
In a previous post on the design principles I mentioned I belong to several artist groups. I feel the most successful groups are ones that operate on the above principle. We come together in friendship and trust looking to support each other. All individual and group successes are celebrated.
I’m a believer in the power of group energy. I think this type of collaborative and supportive artist group can propel all members forward. The energy that is created when a group of like minded individuals get together can be incredible. I always look at the artists in my online support group, The Fiber Connection, and can see the results of such group support.
I’ve recently started working with a small mastermind group from the Artist Breakthrough Program I took with Alyson Stanfield last month. Each evening we email the other members a list of our goals for the upcoming day will be and a report on how we did on the current day’s goals. Having the group energy and the accountability to stay on track have been huge. Although the last month I focused on my house instead of my art, I know this group was a significant contributing factor to keeping me on task.
I highly recommend both Alyson’s program (next one starts in August) and finding a small mastermind group to share your daily goals and successes.
Becoming My Best
I am constantly thinking about how I can improve my art and my art business. Being in competition with oneself is a healthy way to achieve one’s personal best. I track my goals, my time spent in my studio and my accomplishments and I think a lot about how to make improvements in all areas. I have extremely high expectations for myself and by checking in to see how I’m doing every once in a while I find I can keep improving and tweaking what works and what doesn’t.
While I do look to other artists to see how they are doing I try not to compare myself to them. I might not always succeed but I’ve found that over time I am much less concerned with how other’s are doing. I rarely feel a need to bring out the yardstick to see who might have more shows or sales or better art. Competing only against myself is enough. It’s healthier and my life is calmer when I’m not getting caught up in how I’m doing compared to everyone else.
I can’t claim this is easy, not comparing (and then feeling either inferior or superior) but it’s something I have been putting energy into. Staying focused on the present moment and not getting caught up in the past or stressed out over the future is a huge help.
Moving Update
My house went on the market today and I had a second showing this afternoon. I hear they loved it and will be presenting me an offer in the morning. All the hard work has paid off. Woohoo. On thursday I will start looking for a house to purchase as it looks like I’ll be moving soon!
I have to admit it’s been a challenge to sit here the last hour and write this post as I’m much more tempted to search real estate ads to find the perfect home. Then I remind myself I have a real estate agent that is getting paid plenty to find the homes for me. So I’m working on relaxing and knowing she will do a fabulous job and the right house will soon be mine.
Structures #21 – Moving Sale
A study in working small, something that is I find a challenge but enjoy doing the more I experiment with it. This piece is also available as part of my moving sale. Originally priced at $225, it is $135 until June 15.
If you are interested in purchasing Structures #21, or any of my available artwork please email me.
Detail of Structures #21:
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Tagged: Art for Sale, competition, design principles, group energy, moving
Lisa, I’m so glad to hear that your ABP buddies are still helpful to each other. And how exciting that your house sold so fast. The goddesses are definitely looking out for you. I can’t wait to see where you end up!
A group of us from one of Alyson’s class in Feb 2007 still meet regularly online, and we have also been doing a regular goals update. Maybe we should have a virtual softball intramural game? ;-) It’s been great to have this eclectic collection of artists, different in so many ways, but all united on trying to push forward our careers.
Lisa, I know that the mastermind group will continue to be great for all of you. I’m in the group with Daniel Sroka, and we all benefit so much from the group participation. The common goal of success is a great bond.
Ok, now for the intramurals, I don’t have a baseball cap, but I can bring the popcorn!!
Yes Alyson – ABP is awesome – as were all the folks in there. And no doubt I’ve got some good angels.
Daniel and Jean – that’s wonderful your group is still going also. Finding supportive artists is such a huge help.
I’m all for the softball game but can we switch to volleyball instead – as long as it’s virtual I can pretend to be tall for a while.
I’m in Dan’s and Jean’s group and it’s been a fantastic experience. I feel like I know them in real life, even though we’ve never ever met in person.
Our group has it’s ebbs and flows but we’ve managed to stay connected and it’s great having a group of people that I’m in a sense accountable to.
I’m not really good at softball or volleyball…how about badmitton?
Hi Lisa, I’m in Dan’s group and I believe you and I were in Alyson’s “get organized” class together.
To be honest, Uno pretty much expresses my non-virtual athletic abilities, but I’m game for virtual volleyball.
Thanks for the suggestions! We launched a Mastermind Group Resources Blog to give entrepreneurs strategies to get the most from their Mastermind Groups and I was pleased to see your post! If you are interested in being a guest blogger on our blog to discuss Mastermind Groups, just email me!
Keep up the great work!
Evan.