Non-Negotiables

April 8, 2025


There are days when the motivation to create may seem absent, or when distractions pile up and the studio feels miles away. In those moments, it’s easy to fall into the trap of negotiating with yourself. You tell yourself, "I’ll paint tomorrow," or "I don’t need to sketch today." But this constant internal negotiation is the very thing that can derail your artistic progress. To truly build momentum, sharpen your skills, and strengthen your vision, there are certain things you must commit to doing every single day—no exceptions.

These tasks are non-negotiable.

Building Momentum

Artists are often driven by inspiration, but waiting for inspiration to strike can be a dangerous game. Successful artists know that they can’t wait for the perfect moment to create; they know that progress is built on daily action. Drawing, painting, writing, and studying—these are the core activities that must become second nature. They are the daily rituals that lay the foundation for your art career, keeping the ball rolling even on the days when creativity feels distant.

When you make these practices non-negotiable, you're essentially establishing a rhythm. A rhythm that doesn’t rely on fleeting moments of motivation or external circumstances, but one that is driven by discipline and consistency. The more you commit to these daily actions, the more they become ingrained in your routine, and over time, you'll find that the act of creating feels more natural. It’s no longer something you have to do—it’s something you do because it’s woven into the fabric of your day.

Consistency and Persistence

Consistency is the bedrock of any successful artistic career. You don’t need to produce a masterpiece every day, but you do need to show up every day. Think of it like building a muscle: you won’t see dramatic growth after one workout, but over time, small, consistent efforts accumulate into something bigger. Whether you’re sketching for an hour, painting a few strokes, writing a paragraph, or studying the techniques of other artists, the key is to keep doing it.

Persistence is equally important. It’s the quality that helps you push through the hard days—the days when the work feels difficult or uninspiring. When you build persistence by committing to daily non-negotiables, you create a habit of showing up, regardless of how you feel. This habit leads to improvement and refinement of your skills, as well as the cultivation of a body of work that reflects your dedication.

Negotiating is a Roadblock

One of the biggest hurdles for artists is the constant self-doubt and internal negotiation that can take place. On any given day, there’s a tendency to question whether the effort is worth it, or if today’s work will be “good enough.” If you allow yourself to negotiate, you may find that days turn into weeks without real progress.

Negotiation becomes a roadblock because, as artists, we are always evolving. Every decision to skip a task or delay progress is a decision that chips away at the momentum you’ve been building. On those days when you feel tired or uninspired, remember that it’s the act of showing up that matters. It’s the effort you put in that will help you accomplish something substantial in the long run.

Importance of Commitment

The true key to overcoming the struggle of negotiation is commitment. Successful artists understand that their success doesn’t hinge on waiting for the perfect conditions. It’s not about waiting for a spark of genius or for life to slow down enough to “have time to paint.” Success is about making the commitment to prioritize the things that matter most to your craft.

You commit to your art, and in return, your art will reward you. It will be a rewarding, ongoing cycle of growth. If you remain consistent and persistent in your daily actions, you'll find that your artistic vision becomes clearer, your skills stronger, and your work richer.

Foundation for Success

Your art career isn’t built on a few bursts of inspiration or big, sweeping moments of creativity. It’s built on the quiet, consistent actions that you take day in and day out. Whether it’s creating something small, reflecting on past work, or dedicating a few minutes to learning a new technique, these tasks are what solidify the foundation for your success. Without them, there’s nothing to build on.

Next time you feel tempted to skip your creative practice, ask yourself: What do I need more—an excuse to avoid today’s work, or the success that will come from consistently showing up? The things that matter most to your success as an artist—the things that will ultimately build your career and your vision—are the things you must decide cannot be negotiated. You commit, and you accomplish.

It’s in the consistency. It’s in the persistence. It’s in the daily non-negotiables.