Salvador Dali Portrait Art Print by Maya Land via Etsy
Lack of time and money are key reasons that working in the arts comes with stress and potential burnout. But there are many ways to manage our most important resources.
Jade Lillie, Director and CEO at Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) attributes being time poor to the fact that many people working in the arts are a ‘bunch of overachievers’.
‘On the whole, I would say the arts sector is full of really high achieving people – we do a lot with very little and for the most part, we are very committed to our work.’
Our biggest strength is also our biggest weakness, added Lillie. ‘With that comes an ability to deliver an incredible amount of work, but sometimes an inability to know when it is time to take a break.’
John Paul Fischbach of Auspicious Arts Incubator agreed. ‘We are such high achievers and when it is all go, go, go we can generally keep up.
‘Most people in business would be astounded at the productivity that we achieve, the hours that we work, the length of time we can stay focused, the amount of energy that we can resource – it is extraordinary.’
‘But as an artist becomes more successful, the propensity to burn out is increased so it is about jumping in fast and learning to value your time,’ said Fischbach.
Develop a ​realistic sense of time
Ever written an ambitious to-do list only to end up beat​ing yourself up for not having checked off dozens of items? Valuing your time does not mean squeezing as much in as possible, but rather having a better grasp of what you do, and do not have time for.
For freelance writer, editor, founder of Filmme Fatales zine, sometimes DJ and regular speaker Brodie Lancaster, knowing how much work you can fit in is something you ‘learn from failing to do it right’.
