Stop That - 3 Things Every Artist Should Stop Doing

       

Stop it...Right Now! 

       For some reason artist tend to be harder on themselves than most. While ironically at the same time the expectations from everyone else are a lot higher on us as artist. I mean its a lot easier to get up go to work everyday than it is to produce a "hit" record or "best" seller. And sometimes the pressure can become a little too much to bear. As I discovered recently through a study I conducted to both my surprise and my dismay I learned that artist have a pretty good track record for committing suicide. This was indeed a surprise as I had clear plans as an artist on drinking myself to death! Still this was a fact and as an artist I felt I had to act fast. Luckily I could do something about it. So I put together a small series of articles (blogs)specifically challenging artist/musicians to STOP doing the things that has no positive bearing self-destructive habits that truly self destruct the one's artist are so often not only guilty of  but tend to get very good at. So take a good look at the bullet points below and  if you are in fact guilty of any of them...just stop. Luckily there's no fee to pay no time to serve just a slight correction to patternistic behavior is all no more no less.

• Stop Spending Time With Wrong People  -  For some reason as Artist we tend to be very poor judges of character. I mean whether its the built-in need we have to perform on all levels all the time or the subconscious need to satisfy just as much. The one thing we really need to do is Stop Spending Time With Wrong People 
  
  and yes this is the one that hurts. Because ironically everyone you feel is necessary in your life will probably fall under this category. But this change believe it or not will have the most resounding effect in the most immediate ways. I once heard a saying I immediately took to heart it said "If anyone wants you in their life they'll make room for you...you should never fight for a space"  I mean the basis for this is simple enough. Let's take 3 people in your life (you pick) now let's imagine they all walked into a room one-by-one. As they walk in one-by-one you either feel pleasure or tension, simple enough. This is indeed the platform to either strengthen or terminate relationships. Remember you are worth something and until you find that special someone that can recognize and appreciate it, don't settle for anything less. Friends believe it or not are not the one's that are there when the music is playing and all the confetti is flying while the Champagne is flowing. They're the one's that are still around when the liquor dries and the music stops. A friend, still there during your worst of times, by your side ready to travel the long road side by side to better locations.    
• Stop Running From Your Problems  - This is one is the one I like personally as no one ever admits it yet so many people are so surprised when the criteria is laid out and they fit it! Stop being a bitch in other words... Stop Running From Your Problems. If you want to be considered as this great person you already think you are or better still remembered as someone who too charge and changed the world in some way. Then stop turn around and face your issues head on. Quit hiding behind your music your poems, artwork... honestly yes, hell yes it going to be hard but that's what defines satisfaction. You can't snap your fingers and everything is perfect, a well known fact is that anything that's worth it...there's work in it. Character defined is to face problems adapt and overcome. So to be frustrated, sad, confused is perfectly normal it means your trying! So quite bitching and sit down and take logical approach to both your problems and resolving them. 
• Stop Lying To Yourself  -  I'm sure we all know as artist we alone have to maintain that crucial balance between our art and the "real world".  The creative of beauty and freedom of being an artist can also cause us to become easily disillusioned. So the one thing I ask as an artist and a fellow human being is to Stop Lying To Yourself.
  
  I mean don't get me wrong you can lie to anyone else. Unless you knowingly by your own free will consent to some type of agreement to both be honest and forthright (marriage) then you really don't owe anyone anything. So anyone actually everyone else on this planet is absolutely free-game so have it! Lying after all is also an Art-form one we as artist can get really good at. So remember to always keep both the yours dreams and realities firmly based. Try and keep the dreams at bay and always bring reality into a closer perspective. Most importantly above and beyond all else make sure you're always honest with yourself...this is only way to truly be free. 

      Stay tuned for the set of set habits we as artist should stop doing immediately...

And ONE QUESTION... why is it so quiet in here? Somebody please TURN ON SOME MUSIC!