Defining Success – A Massage a Week and Growth in my Art

A Successful Life

My overall definition for success for my life is that I am getting a massage every week.

While that might seem rather flip, that answer implies that 1) I am actively taking care of my self 2) I have the free time to spend on this indulgence 3) I have the money for it.

I’ve used this definition of success for years but I would rarely get a massage. A few years ago the big a-ha thought occurred to me “well duh – you have to MAKE it happen”.

I started getting one massage a month. Last year I bumped that up to a massage every three weeks and this year I’m aiming for 26 massages, one every other week.

Our definition of success needs to drive our actions. If we say our definition of success is X, Y or Z and then we look at our day and we aren’t doing anything to make those things happen – there is a major disconnect.

Defining Success Art Career

Three and a half years ago I wrote a few blog posts about my definition of success in terms of my art career and what I wrote mostly holds true today.

The first post explained why I wanted to define success. Clarity being the main motivation.

The next post included my current list for success. This post noted that success is a sliding scale, as we reach goals we add in newer and harder destinations.

The final post talked about the mindsets of success and it being about the journey, not just a destination.

My Definition

This is the list I wrote in 2008:

• I am creating a body of work that I am proud of and that I know is pushing me to become the best artist I can.
• I see growth in my artwork.
• I am authentically marketing my artwork.
• I quit my day job and live comfortably from the proceeds of my creative talents. I want to be very clear about my definition so I have an amount in mind but think specific dollar amounts are a bit too personal for public consumption.
• My work is valued by buyers and collectors, who are willing to pay a good price for my artwork. Again, I have a specific idea of what I want my art to sell for so I am very clear about where this career is headed.
• I create an affordable line of work for those that can not afford my larger pieces.
• My work is included in 4 or more museum collections.
• I publish one or more books about my art and my writing about art. At least one will be a big "coffee table" style book
• I actively participate in a community of mutually supportive artists.
• I am an inspiration and mentor to other artists.
• I continually learn about myself through my art and my writing about art.
• I enjoy all aspects of being an artist.

Although the list is several years old it’s still relevant. I believe that is because it (mostly) is about being the artist I want to be and not about specific one time events.

I use this to set my goals and decide how I want to spend my time.

Tagged as: success