From successful artists, you can get ideas for marketing, promotion, themes, media, and technique. You can find out how you might use assistants in the studio or office. And you can be inspired by stories of overcoming obstacles.

Life is full of risks since nothing is certain. But some things seem to be riskier than others--like leaving a day job to devote time to your art. When looking at opportunities, try a semi-scientific approach and assess the risk.

But I believe that the more you learn, the more you realize that you know only a scintilla of what there is to know. We should always be learning--regardless of the field we’re in.

This is the day I give you reminders of what you should be doing to build your career and reputation and to sell more art. This is an incomplete list that reflects some truths as I see them at the moment.

But always remember that if you want to be considered a professional, you must not only THINK that being an artist is a real job, you must also communicate it. Here are some ways to do that.

Ask for help when you need it. Whether you’re asking for advice, for physical assistance, or for resources, there is no shame in seeking help. Collective problem solving doesn’t make you weaker. It makes you human.

The end goal might seem overwhelming, but the baby steps will help you get there. Let’s say the goal at the end of your path is to have a solo exhibition at the art museum in your city or town. Here are some baby steps that will help you make progress.

Do you know what you want? What you really, really want from your art career? Or are you just going through the motions of what I and others tell you you should be doing?

You can’t do everything at once. You have to set priorities. Do what you can, finding ways to enjoy the process. Most importantly, don’t allow too many possibilities to paralyze you into inaction.

This year, try planning your wins instead. Take that list I gave you last week (also available as a podcast on the Art Biz Blog) and turn it around to plan ahead for your 2008 wins. You don’t want to leave your success to chance.

It’s time to acknowledge everything you have accomplished in the past year. This is not something that should be taken lightly, but should be part of a ritual that helps you transition from one year and prepare for a new year.

Good habits and routines free your mind for your creative juices. When worried about when you’re going to have time to do something or how you can possibly fit exercise into your schedule, you’re taking up too much brainpower. That brainpower should be spent on your art.

Setting up systems and staying organized will help you remember what's most important for your success. Pick one thing from the list and tackle it this week.

Having a goal is one thing. Figuring out how to attain it is another. The goal is the big kahuna--the end result. But the baby steps will get you there. If you have a big goal, as you should, break it down into small, manageable action steps.

Create rituals for making art, talking about making art, reading about making art, and just thinking about making art. If you have found that you are making excuses instead of making art, do a self-check. How has it felt being away from your studio? Are you ready for artmaking to be a habit?

Have a dream, protect it (don’t listen to naysayers) and go after it. Most of us are afraid to dream. We think we don’t deserve it or that we need to be more realistic. Deep down inside, though, we know that the most successful people we know of had big dreams that they went after.

It’s the time to take a good hard look at the steps you’ve taken toward reaching your goals. And I’ll bet you’ve made more progress than you know.

What chores, tasks, or jobs do you find yourself delaying or ignoring all together? What do you dread so much that you neglect? Usually, sadly, it's the stuff that you really need to do--the stuff you can't afford to ignore.

In order to have a successful career--whatever that means to you--you must be able to define yourself and your art in a sea of untold numbers of artists. To do this, you must first find your style.

Write your farewell. This isn't intended to be morbid, but to make you think about how you want to be remembered. Use complete sentences or just make a list of words and phrases you'd like to be said about you.

I confess that writing out goals isn't something that comes natural to me...That's why I hired a coach--to help keep me on track and to hold me accountable for my dreams and ambitions.

You've heard it said a million times: "It never hurts to ask." So, what are you afraid of? What is keeping you from asking for something you want?

Wealthy people take risks. They know that they could play it safe and get by, but wouldn't reach their potential that way. So, I ask you: What risks have you taken lately?

Learn how to cope with criticism. Come up with your own process, your own questions. What do you say when someone whispers, "My six-year-old could have painted that" while looking at your work? How will you respond when the gallery dealer says your work doesn't fit in her gallery?

You've made it through another year. You had some big accomplishments and, undoubtedly, some things you wanted to get done in 2005 that are still on your "to do" list. Rather than being sad about what hasn't been done, look forward to what is possible in the New Year.

Before you pen your goals and plan of action for 2006, look back on everything you've accomplished in 2005. It is not the time to mourn over forgotten resolutions, but the time to recall the steps you took to further your art career.

Commit to three things you want to accomplish in the next year. These are the three things you can do that will help you reach, most quickly, your ultimate goal.

There has to be someone in your life who you can count on to tell it like it is. It can't be a close friend, spouse, or relative. It can't be an employee or someone else beholden to you.

Lack of confidence can be standing in the way of your success.  Gain confidence. In addition to gradually increasing the prestige of your exhibition venues, enhance your art vocabulary. Keep a journal with your art thoughts, new terms, and ideas.

If what you're doing isn't working, why haven't you changed the pattern? Take a hike. Or at least apply these lessons to your art career. 

Visualization is a powerful tool. If you can't see the results you want to achieve, how are you going to get there?  Figure out the best way to use visualization to help with your career.

Give yourself a break! If you feel overwhelmed by the drive to produce art and the need to market it, you are probably not performing at your peak.

Now it's the time of year again to set goals and resolutions. Don't just keep them in your head. Write them down and share them with someone else. This makes them more real and holds you accountable.

Why not succeed at something right now -- before the new year even begins? Why not clear out your clutter so that you can make room for success in 2005?

If an old habit isn't working for you--and you have applied its tenets consciously and regularly over an appropriate amount of time--acquire a new one. Don't wait for the roof to cave in.

People are too busy to figure out why they should buy your art. You have to show them.  Be the artist. What ingredients for success are you lacking? What do you need to work on?

For an artist, a pacer picks you up when you're feeling less than successful. They remind you of your goals and how you're going to get there.

If you don't have a crew, start building one from the ground up. First, find a business buddy. Support each other in reaching goals.

You can't get to where you want to be until you have defined it. Your goals should challenge you to lead the life you dream of.