Comments on: Do Away with the “Starving Artist” Mentality

By: Look Outside of Your Industry for Breakthrough Ideas | The Wealthy Freelancer

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:33:21 +0000

[...] A few weeks ago, my friend and colleague, Dianna Huff, wrote a comment in response to my blog post about doing away with the starving artist mentality. [...]

By: Pete Savage, Editor

Pete Savage, Editor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:52:09 +0000

Ed – we should do something on the blog about visualization.

I also made a mind movie (Ed recommended it to me) and MAN is it powerful!

By: Ed Gandia, Editor

Ed Gandia, Editor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:39:47 +0000

Janine – You make a very good point. This is why as solo professionals, we need to invest time and money on motivational and uplifting tools. Personally, I like books, CDs from Jim Rohn and other motivational speakers. I also work on visualizing the outcome I want and try to feel as if I’ve already achieved it. I love to watch inspirational movies that move me and help get out of a mental/emotional slump. I also have a couple of colleagues I talk with on a regular basis. We keep each other on track and on purpose.

Something else I’ve recently done is to create my own “mind movie” (www.mindmovie.com) — basically a vision board on steroids. REALLY cool stuff!

I see these tools and strategies as “health food” for my mind, heart and soul. So I’m happy to make the investment.

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:28:06 +0000

Thanks for this post, Ed. Very true words! Speaking from personal experience, whenever I was getting down on myself and my confidence faltered, I floundered most. When you don’t earn any new clients or assignments for a while, having a personal sob-fest can be pretty tempting. I’d mope, question my abilities and my career choice, begin believing artists were meant to starve in exchange for having a fulfilling job that they loved.

Funny enough, whenever I came out of the slump and got over the mopey melodrama, my luck would magically improve. Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times is fundamental. It isn’t just in finding a love match that confidence plays such a fundamental role when it comes to attraction. Even if business isn’t great, pretend that it couldn’t be better. Potential clients will be knocking at your door in no time. It really is the X-factor.

By: Holly Bowne

Holly Bowne — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:20:09 +0000

I absolutely agree! I’m reminded of the chorus from one of the songs my kids used to listen to called “The Think-Do-Feel-Good Polka,” “You think it, you feel it, you do it!” Great post!

By: Ed Gandia, Editor

Ed Gandia, Editor — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:32:02 +0000

Dava – Absolutely! Nothing wrong with having that one confidant whom you can call to vent, open up or get motivated by when you’re down in the dumps.

And re: you get what you think about most of the time, I understood this idea on a conceptual level when I first heard about it 15 years ago…but I didn’t really “get” it. Over the last couple of years, it’s really sunk in. And now I’m continually amazed at how powerful my thoughts (good and bad) are.

Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your input and kind words!

By: Dava Stewart

Dava Stewart — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:54:27 +0000

I do agree that it is important to keep your mindset positive, however, it is also important to be able to tell someone about your difficulties. Just don’t tell *everyone* about the bad stuff. Find a trusted friend or mentor, get it out, get some advice and move on!

I love the idea that you get what you think about most of the time. It’s true. Thanks for a good, thought-provoking post!

By: Penny Feigel, IAC-EZ

Penny Feigel, IAC-EZ — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:57:10 +0000

A positive attitude is always helpful in anything you do. Freelancers should be positive about their choice! Although it is not for everyone, it is great career choice. Just remember “why” you became a freelancer and the positive aspects you thought of when you made that choice, and don’t let other people dampen your spirits!

By: Ed Gandia, Editor

Ed Gandia, Editor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:40:09 +0000

Dianna – How true! Reminds me of the legendary marketer Jay Abraham. The guy has made tens of millions because he’s mastered the art of taking ideas from dozens of industries and applying them where they’ve never been used before. Every time I hear someone (in any business) say something like, “That’s not the way it’s done around here,” I feel even more compelled to revisit that process or strategy! Thanks for joining in, Dianna. You’ve given me an idea for another blog post…

Kevin – I agree. I’ve been in the mud many times. And when I was finally honest with myself, I realized that my complaining was just a self-defense mechanism…and a poor one at that. That’s why I love to read about the great turnaround stories (Harley Davidson, Apple, and so many others), because they’re a constant reminder that challenges are opportunities in disguise. They beg for creativity and action — not complaining! Appreciate your contributing to the discussion, my friend! We love your input.

Marlene – It’s amazing how little competition there is when you start treating your freelance business like an actual business (rather than purely a creative outlet or a hobby). You obviously do that, and I can tell it’s a big reason why you’ve had great success. Thanks for your comment — great stuff!

By: Marlene Oliveira

Marlene Oliveira — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:32:59 +0000

I love this post and totally agree with it. I started freelancing just before the economic slump which meant that every time I told someone what I do, I’d get, “Oh, that must be rough! Bad timing!”…which hasn’t been the case at all. I’ve considered myself an experienced professional and businessperson since day one, that’s how I sell my services, and I seek out and get the jobs that are aligned with what I have to offer.

Of course I have to work to get clients, but I agree that bellyaching about ‘unfortunate circumstances’ becomes an excuse to not do something to improve your situation!