One of the questions that I get from artists just about every day is, "Matt; I love Jesus!  I know He is calling me to be a creative, but I am so scared!  I am so nervous about what other people will think of me, what they will say about me, and how they will judge me. I constantly fear that others will find out that I'm simply not enough. How do I get over this?" 

Well, this whole area of fear of what others think is significant in the creative community. In fact, I believe that it's really the foundation of every problem that artists go through. So, I think it's time we hit this issue head-on with some practical solutions that will help you bust through the prison of what other people think about you, your art, and your creative lifestyle.

Did I Miss Something?
For many years I struggled with this whole concept of identity. In fact, my first book, "Unlocking The Heart of The Artist," was really all about my struggle with identity and really coming to understand that you can be both saved and renewed. Let me explain. 

I knew from a young age that my spirit had been renewed when I asked Jesus to come into my heart. But nobody had ever taught me that just because my spirit was instantly renewed that my soul, that is my heart, mind, will, emotions, needed to be renewed and aligned with the Kingdom of God.

Most Christians, in general, do not have this understanding that you were saved instantly, but you can be operating out of an old, wounded mentality, an old paradigm.  You can be saved on one side and see all the promises of God that are in God's Word while still living out of an unrenewed mind. If you live out of this wounded paradigm, you will live a life in many respects more frustrating than the one you left before you were saved.  

Why?  Because even though you've got this great hope and vision for the eternal life Jesus provided for you while at the same time, you find yourself struggling daily within your emotions, thoughts, and actions.  If you've ever felt this way, you're not weird. This is a normal part of every believer's walk. In fact, I was like that for most of my life until I began to understand how transformation is designed to happen in the Kingdom. 

Kingdom Transformation
Well, how does that happen?  Well, Romans 12:2 tells us that we are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed, that is to be fundamentally changed, by the renewing of your mind.  Many of us probably memorized this verse in Sunday School, and countless gold stars have been awarded for these efforts. But did anyone ever teach you how to apply it to your life practically? 

Salvation happens the moment you ask Jesus into your heart.  Your spirit man is instantly transformed, changed, and made righteous instantly. But even in that glorious moment, we still have a world of issues lingering inside our minds, wills, and emotions.   Our spirit is saved, but that is just one part of the three, body, soul, and spirit that makes us who we are.

Our soul, that mind will and emotions part of us, still has to be renewed even after salvation. The Bible teaches us that this is a daily, moment-by-moment process that is meant to be led by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God. It's an intentional daily process, this renewing of your mind, and it's as simple as starting with focusing on the truth of:

• Who God says you are? 
• What God says you have? 
•  What God says about you? 

Taking time daily to focus on God's Truth versus all of the fear, anxiety, frustration, confusion that you've carried for so long will transform you from the inside out.

Consistency Brings the Change
And as you do this thing the Bible talks about, and you begin taking every thought captive under the Lordship of Jesus, your life WILL change. It's not an overnight change, but as you are faithful daily to focus on and believe in God's Truth versus what you have believed, a great exchange begins to take place in your spirit man. 

It begins with declaring in faith, "Hey!  I don't want to believe this old lie about myself anymore.  I choose to receive the truth of God's Word about this for my life!" And as you do that over and over and over again as an act of your will, verbally, mentally, and spiritually replacing that old lie with God's Truth, change just happens. The old lies fade, and God's Truth in that area becomes your go-to daily mindset. Why is this important? Because it's your beliefs that ultimately determine your actions and your destiny. 

I hope this helps as you take that step of creating or refining your website. If this article has helped, take a moment to share it with a friend, share it on social media, and comment below! 

Thanks for reading.

One of the frequent questions I get goes something like, "Matt, I'm on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok. So, is it even a necessity to have a website?  

I get it. Websites can seem so last decade. But an effective website can be the best marketing tool an emerging artist can use to grow their business and expand their influence. So, I want to give you a new perspective on websites while highlighting what I see are the four primary purposes of every artist's website.

All Roads Lead to Your Website

So, I'm a big fan of Social Media. I'm currently on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, while at the same time, my podcasts are being distributed across a dozen different platforms. I've been interviewed on radio, tv, podcasts, and in magazines, books, and blogs. The common thread that holds this all together is my website.

I like to think of an artist's website as the central place or the hub of your artistic world. Your website should be the place that all roads from the social jungle point back to.  Your social pages should link to it, your blog should live on it, and when you're interviewed online, on-air, or in print, you should mention it. 

Why? You ask. It's simple. Your website is where your Artist Statement lives.  It's the place where all the images of you working in the studio, of the trajectory of your work, and the history of your creative process are displayed. Your site is where you showcase your current work, share your event calendar, and talk about your journey as an artist. 

Now, the whole point of having a website, though, is not just to have a website.  The whole point of having a website is to move people through a process where they can do four things. 

Learn About You
As you are designing your website, you want to speak about what you do in a way that connects with what your site visitors are looking for.  If you go to my website, www.MattTommey.com, you can see how I speak to people that are looking for unique, nature-inspired woven sculpture.  

I am speaking not only about myself, my art, and my creative process, but I am intentionally sharing what I do in terms of what my potential clients are looking for.  In marketing, we call that the WIIFM – "What's In It For Me?" When you ask this question, you have to think about it from the client's perspective since that is who you want to be able to connect with.

Have Their Needs Met
I remember walking through a store one day when U2's "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" began playing in the background.  I had a chuckle because it was true for me that day, but it also brings up a great point.

Your website needs to persuade visitors that the solutions you offer, the art you sell, the classes you teach, or the book you wrote is something that they need. The language you use, the pictures you share, and the stories you tell on your page need to connect with these potential clients in a way that makes them want to take advantage of the opportunity you're offering based on their values, their desires, and what they are looking for.

Take Action
Number three, your website has got to have a clear invitation.  You want to have an opportunity to invite visitors to get involved in your world. It can be as simple as an invite to a show, an offer to take a class, or even an opportunity to purchase a piece of work. 

The secret is you have to ask the visitor to take action, and you've got to be really clear!  In the Marketing world, we call that your Call To Action.  Your CTA is effective when a site guest can clearly understand what they are being asked to do and quickly and easily do it.

Become Connected
Lastly, you want to make it easy for your site visitors to stay connected with you. That's why I tell the artist in my Created to Thrive Artists Mentoring Program to make sure that there is an opt-in page on their websites.

An opt-in page is where somebody can make a purchase, register for a class, or even give you their email address. Again, your website is not of any real use if it is just a brochure out there.  You want to make sure that it's a vehicle to connect, persuade, invite, and enable your clients to communicate with you, do business with you, and refer you to others.

I hope this helps as you take that step of creating or refining your website. If this article has helped, take a moment to share it with a friend, share it on social media, and comment below!

Thanks for reading.

Do you ever wonder how to keep the inspiration going when you feel just a little creatively dry?  A lot of people struggle with that, and I am going to dive into this subject and give you some real help on how to keep the inspiration flowing. 

You know, we have all been in this situation, right?  You get into the studio, and creatively you just hit a wall. Inside you are like, "I've got nothing!  No inspiration!  Nothing is flowing here! What's going on?" As artists, isn't being creative what we are supposed to do anywhere and at any time?  Yet somehow, we all have found ourselves in this place, but the good news is none of us have to stay there.

Fill Your Well
As artists, we all create from the inspiration that we're continually collecting, cultivating, and curating in what I like to call our Creative Well. Think of your "Well" as an internal reservoir that frequently needs to be filled so that it is always ready to release a fresh flow of inspiration when you need it. 

I was first introduced to the concept of an 'inner well' of creativity in Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. As I have explored this concept more deeply over the years, the Holy Spirit began to bring me more revelation about how inspiration works, how it's discovered, held and nurtured within is.

This well holds the inspiration we collect, cultivate, and curate throughout our lives. Think of your "well" as an internal reservoir that needs to be refilled frequently so it is always ready to release a fresh flow of inspiration when you need it.  Central to my understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves over all the inspiration we so into our heart and mind, allowing us to co-labor with Him in the creative process. As we are continually filled with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) both personally and artistically, we create from a place of overflow.

A common mistake is to assume that your creative well is just going to fill itself. In reality, you have got to be as intentional about cultivating inspiration as you do about creating the expression of that inspiration.  Find that thing that fills you up inspirationally and focus on it. Make it a daily priority in your life. Be intentional about this so that you can release that fresh flow of creativity when you do get in the studio.  As I have explored it more over the years, the Holy Spirit began to bring me more revelation about how inspiration works - how it's discovered, held and nurtured within us. Central to my understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves over all the inspiration we sow into our heart and mind, allowing us to co-labor with Him in the creative process.  ​

Focus On The Journey
The second thing I would say is that you have got to prioritize your own personal creative journey.  True artistic growth requires so much more than merely mastering the tools and techniques of your chosen genre. Maturing as a creative involves integrating everything you learn along your journey into your unique creative expression, voice, and style.  

It's the nuance of how God speaks to you, how you fill your Creative Well, and how you interpret those things through your life and art that grow you as an artist. The secret to keeping your creativity fresh is continually looking for and focusing upon those divine teaching opportunities God puts in your path. Intentionally making this a priority in your journey will keep your art and your creative outlook fresh.

Don't Forget The Fun
The last thing I would say is this: You have got to get back to the joy of just creating! I still love nothing better than to be out in my garden, pruning back plants, picking up dead leaves, and using those scraps to sit down and just start weaving. I'm not focused on any tools or techniques as I'm sitting there on my porch. I'm just having fun with the materials.

The funny thing is that after the countless pieces I've created and sold, this simple act of weaving yard clippings is still a huge rush to me.  It's creative joy unleashed and unrestrained. It's a simple process that keeps me grounded creatively.  

If you're not regularly experiencing this, then ask the Lord to take you back to that place where creativity was something you embraced with child-like joy. Let those times of prayerful and playful artistic meditation revive your sense of awe and wonder in the creative process.
 
I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share it on social media, and comment below!
​
Thanks for reading.

Do you ever find yourself struggling, out of the blue, with anxiety, or jealousy, or insecurity? I know I do, and I’m going to share a few tips about how to work through it and find freedom from those debilitating thought patterns. 

Just the other day, I was sitting with the Lord, doing things that I usually do in the mornings, when I got hit with a wave of fear, anxiety, jealousy, and insecurity. Now I know that some of you are thinking, “Matt, that happens to you?”  Of course, it happens to me because it happens to all of us.  But instead of letting these moments ruin my day, I begin to focus upon three truths I’ve learned over the years about this very human condition.

This Is Normal
You know, it is kind of a funny thing that I’ve learned over the years. As I felt this wave trying to overtake me, one part of me laughed as I thought, “Yeah!  Here this comes again,”  will at the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder, “This Again?  Really?  I mean, am I still dealing with that kind of stuff in my life?” 

But then, I took a deep breath and settled into the truth that emotions and the emotional roller coaster are part of the human condition.  Even though we all want to hide it, we all still have a flesh nature that is alive and well. And it’s that part of us that the enemy is always trying to take advantage of.  That brings me to the second truth I want to share.

This Does Not Define Me
An emotionally trying day is not what defines you as an artist in God’s Kingdom. Being aware of your propensity to have, give into, and meditate upon thoughts like that, helps you realize when you’re having a momentary “flesh flash” or when it’s a symptom of a deeper issue that needs to be dealt with.

Look at it as an emotional hiccup,  a reminder of our genuine need to renew our mind, and to connect the reality of God’s love for us in the person of Jesus.  Any time the enemy hits you with overwhelming thoughts of fear, anxiety, jealousy, and insecurity, you have to realize that is an opportunity to take that thought captive and to say, “Now, is this true?  Or is it not?” Then once you realize you’re dealing with yet another lie from the enemy you have the opportunity to embrace this third bit of wisdom.

Embrace God’s Truth
Once you realize that your current state of mind is being driven by a thought or idea that doesn’t line up with the Word of God, that’s when the real growth and transformation can begin. I know this may sound too simple, but it really works.

In moments like this, learn to throw yourself into the arms of Jesus. Embrace the truth that He is your hope and strength when you don’t have any strength. If the enemy is hitting you with fear about money or provision, then embrace the truth that He is your Provider. When you feel like you’ve lost your way, embrace the Lord as your Vision Giver.

If you’re feeling attacked or taken advantage of, always know that He is your Protector. If jealousy or the lie that you are somehow not enough is rearing its ugly head, then find peace in the fact that He is your Identity Giver.  Find peace in the timeless truth that in Him, your place is absolutely secure.

Now you might wonder, “Why?”   Because His love for us never changes!  His Gifts to us are without repentance. The Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God are living and active inside of us all the time!  That’s the reality, that’s the truth, not those tangled webs of emotions lies, and fears the enemy slaps you with from time to time.

The Divine Exchange
So, if you can relate to what I’ve just shared, then I want to encourage you to intentionally make an exchange. Choose to trade-in those dominating thoughts, feelings, and fears for the truth of God’s promises to you. Then rehearse and reinforce those truths over and over and over again. You begin to embrace this practice as a lifestyle, then the things that have taken you captive – you will end up taking captive, giving them to the Lord in exchange for the newness and the freshness of His promises toward you.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share it on social media, and comment below!

Thanks for reading

Have you ever wanted to know just what it takes to get into an art gallery? I get asked about this all the time, and in this article, I have three tips, straight from a local gallery director, that will help you get your art ready for submission to a reputable gallery.

As many of you know, I have been transitioning out of my River Arts District studio, where I have been for the last ten years, into a private and not open to the public studio. As a part of this move, I am starting to sell my work through galleries again. 

I was making a delivery the other day, and I had the opportunity to talk to the director and their staff. I shared with them that one of the big questions that I get all the time from the members of my Created to Thrive Artists Mentoring program is, "Matt, how do I get into a really reputable gallery?"  

Of all the things they shared about what to do and what NOT to do when seeking gallery representation, the following three things really stuck out as vital to artists wanting to sell their work through a reputable gallery.

Follow the Procedures

I know that might seem like a "Duh! Everybody follows the procedures!" But not everybody does!  In fact, too many artists just show up at the gallery and ask, "How do you be an artist in this gallery," or another favorite question, "Can you just look at my work on my phone?"  

Listen!  Any reputable gallery has got a process, often found on their website. It will detail when they are looking at work, how to submit it, and the time frame in which they'll get back with you.  If you research a gallery you are interested in and can't find their submission process online, then reach out with a call or email asking how they would like for you to submit work for their consideration.

The critical thing to remember here is that every gallery has procedures, and they all want you to follow them; why, you wonder? It's because if they are a reputable gallery, they are a busy gallery, and following their procedures shows a gallery owner that:

• You respect their time and their status in the local art scene
• You are serious about your art
• You are someone that can be trusted to work with long term

Always remember that a gallery isn't just someone who shows off your artwork from time to time. They are going into business with you. When a gallery accepts your work, they partner with you to distribute your art to the world.  So, it's vital that you follow their procedures at the beginning of what can be a very fruitful relationship.

Be On-Time

This kind of goes without saying, but it was one of the key "what NOT to do" things the gallery staff shared with me.  They told me, "If all of our artists would be like you, Matt!  You are actually on time. You were here when you said you were going to be, and you have your paperwork!"  

Here's a Pro Tip for getting an art gallery director and staff to love you and your work: Make it easy to do business with you.  It starts with things like:

• Fill out your Artist Inventory BEFORE you arrive with your artwork.
• Have your headshots, bio, and artist's statement ready to give the gallery both in printed form and in digital format.
• Show up for your appointments on time with all your gallery submission work complete.

Do this, and they will have a great feeling about you and your work. And when the gallery owner and the gallery staff feel good about you and your work, they are much, much, much more willing to talk to clientele about what you do creatively, both to sell pieces and to refer clients back to you for commissioned work.  

Make Great Artwork

Again, I would hope this would seem obvious, but too many people just don't seem to get this. You've got to be making great work for a gallery to take you seriously.  You may be a great marketer, but if you create sub-standard pieces that are not desirable in the marketplace, then you can't expect the gallery to get excited about what you do.  

While you're out there looking for a reputable venue to represent your work, owners are looking for artwork that will enhance their art gallery's reputation. I share these concepts often, both in this blog and on my Thriving Christian Artist and 5-Minute Mentoring Podcasts, about:
 

• Being both Filled and Skilled as an Artist, 
• Having a Regular Consistent Studio Practice
• Developing of Your Unique Artistic Voice

Investing in yourself and your art is the path towards creating high quality, unique art that will be prized and appreciated in the marketplace. 

When you do these three things, I promise that you will make friends and influence gallery owners quickly. You'll be set apart from so many other artists in the Marketplace who may be great at what they do, but they aren't making it easy for a gallery to do business with them. 

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share on social media and comment below!

Thanks for reading. 

​

So everybody wants to be an “influencer” these days, right? The lure of followers, the excitement of sharing your passion with thousands who are listening to your every word. Trust me, it's a thing and it's exciting! But what’s God’s methodology for becoming a person of influence?  

First of all, let me say that wanting to share your passion and inspire others is awesome! And it could very well be a part of what God's called you to as an artist or art teacher.  But it's important to come at this from a healthy, grounded perspective because for Christians, concepts like laying down your life, serving others first and allowing God to raise you up in His timing come to mind pretty quickly.

In that context, here’s 5 other practical ways you can approach your dream of leading and potentially influencing others...

1. Develop Masterful Competency in One Area. Yes, one.​
   But Matt, I love to do so many creative things! Yes, I know and that's awesome, but it's not how you develop mastery. Focusing singularly on the development of your artistic voice and the unique aesthetic you carry is a major accelerator for your growth as an artist both creatively and financially.
2. Do it so well and so uniquely that others can’t help but notice.
   The Bible is clear that a person's gift makes room for them. As you develop mastery over an area of your life like your art, and start sharing your story authentically with those who are interested, that in itself will start to open doors in the marketplace.
3. When they start to ask how you did it (and they will) and if you could help them, humbly say yes and ask how best you can help.
   When you are doing great work and telling your story, you will garner the attention of others... both buyers, partners and students. As you notice the conversation happening - it's focus, it's frequency - embrace it and use it to develop relationships with your audience members
4. Day by day, multiply your results in the lives of others and help them achieve even greater results
   The responsibility to influence others as an artist who's on a Kingdom assignment is great. Not heavy, but important. Your role in that relationship is to inspire, point them to Jesus and help them grow in their own gifting so they can be the person God created them to be. It's definitely not to create a bunch of mini-me's.
5. Tell the stories of those you’ve helped and the transformation you helped them achieve. Invite others to the same journey.
   One of the best ways to grow in influence is to allow other people to praise your work and influence in their life. Let your students and clients tell your story through testimonials, video and social media live broadcasts. And when you're telling the story of what you do, make sure you're focusing 2/3 on your impact on others, rather than your own awesomeness, which I'm sure is limitless :)

Now, all that being said, I couldn't resist giving you 5 Ways Not to Be An Influencer. So, here they are:

1. Plaster your "brand" all over the web and social media along with your latest __________ (class, ecourse, book, album, etc) telling everyone how awesome you and your ___________ are.
2. Show no demonstrated mastery or progress in your life over time in the area you're wanting to encourage others in.
3. Step into the role of coach, expert or advisor when you’ve never helped anyone else achieve real lasting results in their life in that area.
4. Look for recognition of your position before seeing demonstrable, measurable results in your life and in the lives of others.
5. Seek leadership and authority before being a great follower who’s under authority.

It's been said "Your talent will take you where your character can't keep you" and I wholeheartedly agree. ​Remember, just because you can make influence happen through technology and marketing strategies doesn't mean you should. Rather, listen to the voice of the Lord, watch the fruit He's bringing forth in your life and listen to those who are organically following you.  

Psalm 75:6-7 "For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God. He promotes one and deposes another."

Lastly, in the Kingdom, those who lead have a greater responsibility. We hold the hearts of our followers in our hands and have the ability to point them in any direction. Make sure your own heart is grounded in a healthy identity in Jesus and who you are in Him, rather than what you do. Otherwise, believe me, it will be really easy to draw others to yourself rather than to Jesus and His purposes in their life.

By Casey Cole Corbin, artist-counselor

Surprisingly to most modern Christians, we are commanded 37 times in the Word of God to meditate.  We may have neglected to be obedient in this area.  As an artist-counselor who is also a Christian, I am often asked, “How does this Mind-Based Mood Management work as a lifestyle anyway? How does it integrate with following Jesus?”  I can answer that and also share a few exercises to try.
"Mystics" is a word I previously associated with witchcraft, until I learned that the early Christians were called this. There was something different about them that the onlookers saw, a peculiar way they handled their everyday life. They had a distinctive response to stressors, how they interacted with others, how they lived, and the priorities they set.
They were still real humans with real struggles.  They had setbacks and they were not perfect (i.e.: Paul needing to correct Peter.)  But they faced real stress and suffering-- more than most of us will ever experience, including torture and even death—and they handled it differently. I believe that they did this spiritually, but in a much more practical way than we usually consider.
It was already part of their culture to practice a lifestyle of a mind-body connection that we might call Mindfulness today. They pulled themselves together and toward their source of strength which enabled them to do amazing things like suffer and die for the cause of Christ.
Most of us do not have those kinds of trials, but we do live in a world full of stress. I’ll offer you a Thought Exercise that I have led thousands of my clients through.  As requests for this have increased, both for in-person sessions or over video calls, I created audio recordings to automate the process and help more people.
Thought Exercise:When you have that moment in your day when you feel all over the place, anxious, or overwhelmed - get centered.
Getting ‘centered’ is not some weird thing that only “those other religions” do.  In fact, you probably already do it, any time you say to yourself:

• “Let me think”
• “Breathe”
• “OK, calm down”

Heck, even my wife’s smartwatch tells her to breathe!
Maybe you play a certain song. Or at CHURCH, when the worship leader says, “Everyone get your mind off the stress of the week and focus on praising God now” and “Turn your focus of thanking Jesus, in this place.”
Or how about when you create ART?
What is your practice to ‘get into the zone’?  You may have a formal, thought-out process and routine, or maybe it is informal and brief, just as you walk into your studio or get your space ready. That process, whether formal or informal, is you getting centered.
Next time, pay attention to your physiology.  In a moment -your body changes.  Maybe for you, your heart rate increases for a moment and a tingly feeling runs across your chest, followed by powerful calm. As your awareness then shifts from inside your body to your outside environment, you are mentally taking inventory of what’s around you and all the possibilities of how you can use the supplies to create your art.
 So let’s try it now:

• Breathe in.
• Go inward with a body scan. (Be aware of the state of your body, pain, comfort, warmth, the space your body displaces, your perimeters -where you begin and end.)
• Breathe out.
• Eventually, go outward being aware that the Holy Spirit is with you in the room. Connect to the LOVE He is offering.
• Breathe in.
• Go back inward inviting Him in there too.
• Connect to the LOVE He brings.

You can repeat with each GIFT: Peace, Hope, Joy, Forgiveness, Grace & Mercy, etc.

• Again, re-center yourself
• Scanning your body again,
• Increase your awareness to now include _____ (peace)
• As though you are inhaling God’s peace and allowing it to travel deep and settling down inside you.”
• (Repeat for Hope, Joy, Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercy...)
• Keep the GIFTS when you are ready to move on with your day.
• Bringing the Peace up with you, feeling like you just had a power nap, eyes wide open feel great!
• Take note of how you feel!

Hopefully, you have a taste of how Mind-Based Mood Management works as a lifestyle.  You also may now better understand how it not only integrates perfectly with following Jesus but to ignore this instruction could be an issue of disobedience.   Consider how the word “selah” appears verse after verse in the Psalms.  It means to “pause and think about this”.  Add to your word-study other terms used in the Word of God such as “contemplate” and “ponder”, and we might make the case for how this topic might be one of the most neglected biblical instructions!  But it’s OK we can always start now! 
I’ve recorded audio versions of these exercises to help you to better focus on the internal work of building this new skill.  Also included are several skill-building audios, video, and written support materials.  These will help to cement these learnings so that this new ability will serve you well for the rest of your life.  For more information on these recordings and to learn even more about Mind-Based Mood Management, click the link below. 

Do you ever find yourself wanting different results in your life but still find yourself doing the same old thing you have always done for years and expecting something to change?  Well, I think many of us have done that in our lives, and I want to unmask the top three things that can keep you trapped in this cycle and share a few things that you can do to start moving forward in both your life and your art.  

You know, if we are honest, I think a lot of us have been in places in our life where we felt like the life that I am living right now, the things that I am going through, I really wish it would change, but I am not willing to change anything in my life in order to make things change. 

I have struggled with weight over the years and my eating.  I am just now starting to get a handle on that in my life. But for years, I like the idea of being skinnier. I liked the idea of eating healthy. I like the idea of being more fit, but for far too long, I wasn’t willing to change my habits so that those ideals that I wanted could and would become a reality. (Thankfully, my wife and I made some significant changes in our lifestyle and I’m down 30+ pounds!)

I think a lot of people are like that with their art, too.  They like the idea of wanting to be an artist.  They like the idea of God using them in their life, but they are not really to the point yet where they are willing to make a change, where they are willing to do different actions to get different results. 
 
Listen, we have all been there.  No shame, but in general, there are probably a couple of different reasons why people find themselves in that situation.  One is fear. 

Fear
Fear of failure, fear of misunderstanding, or fear of the unknown. The enemy loves to get you stirred up with “hits” like:

• What if I fail?
• What if it doesn’t go my way?
• What if this happens or that happens?
• What if I don’t achieve everything that I believe is going to happen?
• What would other people think about me?  

All of the drama that swirls around on the inside will suck the life out of you. Standing up to the fear and embracing God’s perfect love is a significant first step in finding that confident footing you desire.  Another reason folks find themselves stuck in life boils down to Mindset.

Mindset
You know, if you have never learned really to take control of your thoughts and renew your mind like we read about in Romans 12, then there’s a good chance that Stinkin’ Thinkin’ may be holding you back.  Ideas about who you are, God’s plan for your life, and what’s possible with your art are all too often based on your experiences or what others have said to you as opposed to the actual truth. 

Your beliefs about yourself, your potential, and your art are based on your “normal.” But we are called as believers to have faith for what is “normal” in the Kingdom of God. Our challenge and I believe the point of Romans 12:2, is to begin the process of aligning with God’s idea of normal. 

Lack of Knowledge
I think sometimes, people just don’t know what they don’t know.  You might be full of dreams, ideas, and passion for your art and your future as artists, but you don’t know the next step to take.  Or maybe you’re like people I’ve met over the years, and you don’t even know the right questions to ask, or even who to ask to help you get going on your journey.

The lack of knowledge and feeling like you’re all alone can leave you feeling isolated, which can reinforce false beliefs you may hold while stoking those fears that could be holding you back. But realizing that you’re not the only and intentionally seeking out peers or even a mentor with the experience you lack is the best way I’ve found to overcome any knowledge gaps.

So let me wrap this up by saying that you are never going to get different results in your life unless you begin to take different actions.  And that is not something that starts to happen spontaneously someday far in the future. It starts right now.  

It starts with a gut decision inside of you that says:  You know what?  No matter what I am fearful about, no matter how scary this seams, no matter where I find myself in the world, no matter if I am the only one, I am determined to begin to see the results that I believe God has for me in my life in the context of being a thriving Christian artist.

Seeing your art transform others while it blesses you financially, thriving spiritually, artistically and in business can absolutely be your story. Still, it starts with one thing – with you deciding to change the habits and the actions that you have employed up until this time, and make it change so that you can begin to move in a different direction.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share on social media and comment below!

Thanks for reading. 
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Do you ever struggle with a lack of time and feel like you just can’t get everything done?  Do you ever wonder how you are supposed to be the artist that God has called you to be, yet don’t seem to have enough hours in the day?  Well, if that’s you, then keep reading because I’ve got some practical strategies for finding more time for the things that really matter.

One of the five roadblocks I’ve seen hold artists back over the years is this whole concept of overwhelm and the lack of time.  You might be nodding your head right now, thinking, Matt, I know what you mean.  A lot of artists struggle with this, but here is the thing that I have learned about overwhelm and lack of time.  How you spend your time is simply a reflection of a few things in your life:

• What you value
• What you believe about yourself
• What you believe about your calling as an artist
•  What you believe is possible in your life and your art

And all of this can be summed up into one word: Vision.

How you spend your time is directly related to vision. It’s the Bible that tells in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” or as another version reads, “the people cast off restraint,” and one of my favorite translations says that without vision that “people run wild.” So how does all this relate to time and time management?

Vision from God about your life and art allows you to have a standard by which you choose how to use and prioritize your time. It helps you to know who you are and what you are called or meant to do in your life and with your art. Without that in place, then it's too easy to let circumstances and other people determine what your priorities are in life. Then before you know it, your time, your money, your energy, and your focus have been hijacked by someone else’s agenda. 

I had to get to this place in my own life. The place where I fully embraced God’s call and plan for my life as a husband, a dad, an artist, and as a father to Artists. Understanding who God created me to be and knowing what He has called me to do guides how I choose to invest my time. This vision for my life helps me to prioritize what I say yes to and what I say no to in my day.

What’s Eating Up YOUR Day? 
So, I am going to give you a little assignment that you can do right now to start taking control of your time.  For the next seven days, grab your journal, a legal pad, or even a piece of paper and write down everything that you are doing in 15-minute increments.  Now, I know that you are probably saying, “OMG!  That is a lot of detail.”  Yeah, it is, and that’s the point. 
 
This time assessment is a commitment, but it’s really going to reveal where you are spending your time.  Yes, I want you to include the random scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, the daydreaming, and anytime you spend unfocused.   Be sure to include doing things for your family and friends, even the things you do out of guilt or obligation.

Time for YOUR Aha Moment
And then at the end of the week, what I want you to do is this:  Go back through that assessment and look at the areas where you choose to spend your time.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• How did the time I spent this week…
• Help me fulfill my God-given call as an artist in the Kingdom? 
•  Help me focus on and to me grow my art business? 
•  Help me in growing my art skills?
•  Help me in connecting my ideal clients?

The point of this exercise is not to feel shame for what you didn’t do but to help you see what you can do.  Most people who do this week-long time assessment end up having a complete light bulb moment of realization: “OOOohhhhh!  My Goodness!  I’ve wasted a whole lot of time on a whole bunch of nothing.” The important thing is to take that Aha moment and use it as a call to action.

Ask Yourself This
Once you’ve completed this exercise and find yourself staring in the depth of this Aha moment, this is what I want you to ask yourself.  “What am I willing to give up or change in my life right now in order to live the life that I believe that God has designed me to live as an artist?”  I know that it's a tough question, and not one to be answered lightly. But I’m also convinced that every artist who answers this question is ready to step into the fullness of what God has for them.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share on social media and comment below!
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Thanks for reading.