I remember when I first began almost adulting, I was around 21 years old and finishing college. John and I had saved all year to take our first trip to Greece together, but planning this trip and preparing to leave for two months was overwhelming.

I felt like I was spinning far too many plates, and everything felt out of control.

I juggled school projects, packing, making sure the house was ready for us to leave, arranging care for our dogs, travel paperwork, and finding a ride to the airport. I was overwhelmed, constantly venting and losing sleep, afraid I’d forget something crucial.

Back then, I seemed to stress over the smallest things. I wanted everything perfect. I didn't want to miss anything. I had a lot of fear about being capable, so I pushed myself at whatever threshold I stood at to do more, have more, or go further. Since my earliest memories, I wanted to fill space to the max. Fill a schedule, fill a suitcase, fill my plate, and then add more plates.

I’m the “my cup is never full” girl.

Years later, with four young children and a burgeoning art career, that pressure became unbearable. It felt like every plate I spun would shatter. I tried every balanced schedule and time management advice I could find and read countless books.

But when I thought about pulling back and doing less, it felt terrible to me.

It didn't feel like a relief. I felt loss. I felt like I was missing out. Like life would happen all around me but I couldn't join in. I saw my destiny twirl about me while I stood lifeless and lost. But I didn't want to sit on the sidelines, so I made a final decision. I was going ALL IN!

I decided first and foremost, I am ME. I’m not her, I’m not them, I’m not someone else. I have my own unique destiny and calling, and it requires a lot of hustle. And guess what? I LOVE to hustle. I’m at my best when I’m busy and things are flying all around me. I’m a turbo tornado, and I like it! I decided to embrace myself and never question how much I work again. 

I decided I wasn't headed for burnout if Monday is my favorite day of the week.

I made a list of all the things on my schedule I didn't like and sucked me dry. I immediately eliminated everything I could and circled the things that I would work to eliminate over time. I made a goal to craft my life into only doing things that brought me energy and joy. The only time I felt some burnout was when I was doing something that didn't pertain to my destiny.

Running hard after your success isn’t about being selfish. It’s about purpose. It’s about your why. Successful people who are going somewhere will never be the people who are trying to warn you or tell you to slow down.

If you want this coming year to be the year you get free of your job and go full-time, the year you sell more paintings than you created last year, or the year you grow so much you don’t even recognize yourself next December, then be a relentless doer and don’t stop. You can do much more than you think. You can spin more plates.

It requires staying focused, painting two more hours than you planned, waking up two hours earlier than you used to. Your glorious work imbalance should be full of things that terrify you, like reaching out to potential clients or applying for shows you think you aren’t good enough for.

How will you ever reach your dreams without hard work and work-life imbalance? If you do it long enough without quitting, work no longer feels like work. Every day feels like a Saturday, and you would rather paint or build your business or talk about your business or meet new people or clean your studio or make a new video than just about anything else. Your life will increase to the point where all the plates seem to spin on their own and every once in a while, you touch a few with your finger.

Your art isn't just a part of your life, it is your destiny.

It should fill your days, inform your choices, and guide your interactions. Let your passion for creation be the thread that ties together all aspects of your life. Fill those plates to your heart’s desire. Trust that by aligning every action with your destiny, you will live a life not just filled, but fulfilled.

Milan Art Institute

Empowering Artists to Inspire and Impact the World Through Art