Artists experience rejection from customers on a regular basis. Here are a few things you can do to boost your confidence and shift your perspective on what you view as rejection. Your mindset is a masterful work in progress. Shape and mold it into a positive state and you’ll have better results when you display your work, and a lot more fun too!
What better way to spend a glorious Saturday morning than strolling your local Farmer’s Market or craft show? There’s such an uplifting sense of carefree energy in the air. But for many of the artists and crafters who have poured their creativity and precious time into their wares, it’s anything but carefree.
Rejection. It’s hardly suitable that one simple word can sum up the greatest fears and difficult emotions faced by many gifted artists. Artists naturally view their work as an extension of themselves, and once rejected it can feel like a very personal assault.
As crowds continue to flow steadily past your table and individuals handle your work, only to leave it behind, the mounting sense of rejection can lead to anxious thoughts. It’s easy to fall down that rabbit hole, isn’t it?
So what’s an artist to do? On one hand you understand the impossible odds of everyone falling in love with your work. On the other hand your work represents a part of your very being, so how could they not love it?
Begin by accepting that not everyone is your perfect prospect. The people who choose to take home a piece of your art must fully appreciate and savor it. Just as you can’t be friends with everyone, not everyone is a suitable prospect to take home a piece of your art.
Here are a few things you can do to boost your confidence and shift your perspective on what you view as rejection. Your mindset is a masterful work in progress. Shape and mold it into a positive state and you’ll have better results when you display your work, and a lot more fun too!
Understand that your art is what you do, not who you are.
Since so much of your personal vision and creativity go into your work it may be difficult to separate yourself from it. Your work is not who you are. You have values, dreams, likes and dislikes. You may be a parent, sibling, spouse, son or daughter. You are probably a friend and confidant. Understand what is important to you outside of your work. This is key to the success of even our greatest leaders. Who are you aside from your art?
Reframe rejection.
You do not know what people are thinking as they view your work. I am certainly guilty of admiring beautiful art, clothing, and jewelry only to walk away empty-handed. It doesn’t mean that I don’t want to take it home with me; it means that the time is not right, I don’t have the space to display it, or it doesn’t fit into my life at the time. Remember that this has more to do with the other person than it does with you or your art. It is not about you! And for those who pay no attention to your display—well, people have different taste, needs, and financial resources and that’s ok too.
Check your thoughts.
Some psychologists say as much as 90% of self-talk is negative. Track your daily thought patterns. Do you criticize yourself much? Do you have a negative view on the future? Do you replay old nagging thoughts based on past events? Use affirmations in the present tense to begin to erase these patterns and replace your thoughts with more positive, uplifting beliefs. Soon, you will notice a change in your environment and things will begin to look up. If affirmations aren’t powerful enough for you try a powerful method called The Emotional Freedom Techniques. I refer to this as my secret weapon and have helped countless clients shed their limiting beliefs to achieve happiness and outrageous success.
Don’t ever allow another person to determine how you feel about yourself. Only you have that right. Make empowering choices and enjoy your work from beginning to end!
