Hey there! Let's talk about not being consistent in running and growing your art business, and how it can actually serve as a guide to align your business with your energy.

For some artists, being consistent comes naturally and effortlessly, while for others (and maybe you're one of them), it can feel like a ride on the struggle bus.

If you’re like me, you might have also felt a twinge of shame about your inherent inconsistency. Finding yourself apologizing for it, wishing you could be better, or trying to fix it. And no matter how many habit planners, trackers, and apps you’ve used, nothing seemed to do the trick.

I want you to know something important: there's absolutely nothing wrong with you!

In actuality, you may find that you are quite consistent with certain things. These are the ones that you don't have to think twice about, that feel easy and effortless.

But pay close attention to when you're less consistent because you may experience a form of resistance, and understanding why makes all the difference.

Maybe it's no longer a task that is in alignment with your goals, maybe someone convinced you it was something you should do, or maybe it's simply not the right time to do it and you just need a mental or physical break from it.

To find out if your resistance is an alignment issue, you can ask:

• Does this task/project still resonate with me and my overall vision for my life and business?

• Why do I feel I need to be consistent with this task/project?

• What am I accomplishing by doing it?

• Is this a task that I want to do or is it one that I feel like I should do? (Recognize if it’s a true desire or an outside influence)

To assess if you simply need a break from it, pay attention to your natural cycles. You may notice that you have more energy at different times of the day and maybe even during different seasons of the year. You may find certain seasons correlate with different activities. For example, I tend to feel more creative in the winter and spring, and in the summer, the long sunny days give me the boost of energy to tackle administrative tasks.

The more that you identify your natural patterns, the more that you're able to plan to work around them. Also, seize the moment when you suddenly have the energy to tackle tasks that are usually boring or tedious. Use that time to batch those tasks and get ahead.

Other questions you can ask yourself are:

• Is this something that needs to be done right now?

• Is this something that I can delegate?

• Can I automate it?

• Can this be simplified in some way?

• What can I do to make it more fun and less tedious?

• Are all of the steps involved actually necessary?

You can also apply this process to assess if how you're selling your art supports your inconsistent tendencies. If it doesn't, then what would be a better fit?

For instance, I noticed that I wasn't consistent in creating new artwork. So, I decided to change my approach and concentrate on selling prints and other forms of passive income that utilized my existing work instead of creating new paintings.

In short, ask yourself if this is something you really want to do or if it feels like a must-do. If it's truly your desire, notice when you have the energy for these tasks and give batching a try. It doesn't need to be a lot; even one or two things done in advance can make a difference. Then, think about pre-scheduling or automating those tasks so they're off your mind. Knowing where you're not consistent can help you better align your art business.