Drew and our son Dylan and I just made our tenth drive across the USA from California to the East Coast. We are visiting family and friends all over the country. That’s a photo of us feeding our friends’ sheep on their Tennessee Farm! (Follow me on Instagram if you want to follow our trip.)
In this post mail I want to cover the following:
1 – Share my current business situation (since many have been asking)
2 – Inspire you to set goals for Third Quarter 2020
3 – Encourage Action Steps towards those goals
4 – My interview with Andrew Tischler on What to Do NOW for your ART Business (with stories of artists who have earned MORE $$$ during the last 3 months than ever before)
I might have been a little quiet these last few months and some people are asking if I’m okay. Love and thanks to all of you who have been concerned.
When the world first stopped back in March, Drew and I lost a lot of what we had worked so hard for. It was devastating on many levels.
We managed to turn things around for our little business. We put our focus back on selling Drew’s art and we also created a new “How to Draw Course” with famed Disney artist Damian Fulton, and I’m pleased with how we’ve been able to pivot our business so quickly.
The reason I haven’t been writing regularly on the daily unfolding world events:
Every day since March something BIG has been thrown at us, and everyone is responding in different ways. For me, when something is this HUGE I tend to go inward. I go deep into thought-mode. I sift and sort though information and tune into my intuition.
Usually, I can figure things out quicker. But all of the things that are happening are going so fast that my brain is having trouble keeping up.
I’ve been journaling and spending quiet time so I can actually THINK about things. I privately took some actions based on what I felt was the right thing to do for people in need (I won’t share them here because for me, it’s not right to publicize these things).
Some day, when I have the right words, I will share my discoveries, but for now, I’m going to stick to what I know. And that is, the business of being an artist and living your best life possible. And that leads me into third quarter goal setting…
THIRD QUARTER 2020 GOALS:
I can’t believe it’s July already. Do you feel like the first half of this year has been hi-jacked?! Well, it’s not too late to take this year by the horns and make something happen for yourself.
Is this a bad time to set goals? Never! Even if we don’t have control over other people, we DO have control over our own lives. We DO have control over how we treat others. We DO have control over WHO WE ARE BEING.
The first step to taking control is to KNOW WHAT YOU WANT.
And the second step is to take ACTION towards it.
For this third quarter of 2020 (July-August-September), WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Let’s figure it out! I have 2 exercises that will help you get clarity.
EXERCISE #1: Write down three (3) Goals that you would LOVE to accomplish for third quarter.
I’ll share mine:
1.) Build my immune system and get my body toned and strong.
2.) Deepen my relationships with my family and friends. (Be a loving person in the best possible way.)
3.) Improve upon Brophy Art Academy website – turn it into an inspiration site and build a strong community of artists who have the freedom to create.
Now that we have our top three goals for the third quarter, the next step is to determine our next ACTION towards each one. Without action, nothing happens.
EXERCISE #2: Write down one ACTION STEP for each of the three goals you wrote down for first quarter.
I’ll share mine:
1.) Continue the habit of exercising each morning when I wake up.
2.) Ask a loved one “how can I help you.” Be generous. Tithe to charities that help people in need.
3.) Hire a new Online Business Manager to help with Brophy Art Academy third quarter growth goals. (Today I interviewed 2 people – will interview 2 more before choosing.)
Try this yourself – write out a few action steps that you have control over and get momentum going on your goals for third quarter.
A REALLY GOOD INTERVIEW – How to make money when the world is Shut Down:
A few months ago, when the C-thing first hit us and every one was trying to figure out how to make a living with the world shut down, I was interviewed by Andrew Tischler.
We talked about different ways that artists can re-invent themselves during this time. I shared a few stories of artists that I personally know who are selling MORE art right now than ever before.
This interview is highly inspiring and if anything, it will give you a few new ideas on how to improve your art business during a time when the world is upside down.
You can listen to it HERE. Please leave me a comment on the video if you like it! I would love to know you listened.
I am continuing on with my travels, working as we go. I hope you’re doing something that makes your heart sing this summer. And if you can’t get out of your home, then call someone you love that you haven’t talked to in a long time.
Reconnect – give love – spread joy. We all need that right now!
Thanks for reading and please share your top 3 goals in the comments below!
Maria xxoo
