by Mark J Ratcliffe

Managing your own Expectations

As an artist, I think it’s fair to say we can sometimes (mostly) be our own worst critics. I know I can, and I was reflecting on why that might be? I came to the conclusion that it would be for a variety of reasons whether it’s about an emotional attachment to always doing something the “right” or “perfect” way, our personality characteristics or traits or even lived experiences that have impacted our own creativity and need to be loved or accepted. I know that sounds quite deep, but hear me out. I’d like to focus this month’s blog on managing our own expectations of ourselves. And it’s not easy, I know. 

When I ask people why they paint or explore their own creativity, the answers are diverse but have included reasons like having a hobby or developing a professional career, escapism into having some alone time for mental well-being, etc. Managing our own expectations of ourselves can be a complex ask (or expectation) but I think if we are mindful of that, it can be helpful when we immerse ourselves into our own Art and Creativity. 

First and foremost, it’s important to recognise managing our own expectations is a great tool to help us in our wellbeing and for our own personal development. It can help us recognise of strengths, what we are good at, what we might want to focus on to develop further whilst also recognising what we can and can’t control. If we are mindfulness of these areas then it can really help us manage our own expectations of ourselves and promote a more balanced outlook. 

There are so many benefits to managing our own expectations of ourselves, but I’d really like to focus, in this blog, on three main areas that includes reducing your stress and anxiety in an encouraging mindfulness. I’m going to take each one of these in turn. There are of course many other benefits that you may also recognise outside of this. 

Reduce Stress and Anxiety – If we decide to manage our own expectations, we are less likely to go into a situation feeling overwhelmed especially when they don’t go to plan. We can go into a painting with some knowledge but only when we pick up the paint and go for it is when we get our experience. When I start exploring a new technique, I don’t have any expectations on myself to do a painting I’m happy with in my first attempt. I’ve said in previous Blogs, mistakes (or happy lessons) help us to evolve, learn and grow. From the outset setting realistic goals and predicting any challenges we might have (paint consistency, color theory etc) can reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompany unmet expectations.

Increases Resilience – Sometimes it’s really about being able to adapt and change when immersed into a situation. You might have had one technique in mind when starting a painting, but naturally you’ll want to adapt what you do to try and get a result that you’re visualising. If you have a mindset that enables you to accept any outcomes will equip you to manage unpredictable results (which we know can be so common in fluid art and abstract art when you’re learning about a technique, a medium or a palette you’re unfamiliar with!). Embracing resilience will help you overcome negativity and will also allow you to go forth and be an amazing creative artist. 

Encourages Mindfulness – I’m all about the mindfulness when painting and you’ll know that if you’ve already taken my Course! But being mindful of our expectations allows us to live more fully in the present moment. When you’re painting be in the here and now, watch the paints flow, feel that movement, look at the reactions. Stop striving for what we think it should look like and adapt your mindset into allowing whatever happens, happens, which will give you a greater satisfaction and contentment in the work that you are creating. 

I know this is all very easy to say, but it’s even harder to practice. In time, you’ll recognise these benefits whilst managing your own expectations of yourself and hopefully you’ll reap the rewards. 

Check out Mark’s course on Smart Art Courses: Mindfully Creative: Art Techniques for the Mind, Body and Soul
www.smartartcourses/art-for-mindfulness 

Mark Ratcliffe from Mark J Ratcliffe Art: Abstract Artist & Creator; Certified Meditation Coach and
Wellbeing Practitioner.  Written in his own words @MarkJRatcliffeArt / markjratcliffeart@gmail.com

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