Overcoming Overwhelm for Artists: Let Your Being Guide Your Doing

Working artist planning

I recently suffered a crisis. My relationships weren’t connecting, my creativity wasn’t flowing. I was overwhelmed and overwrought. It felt like the work was stagnant and it became a battle to get through all the stuff that needed to be done.

Have you ever felt like this?

In times of crisis, I look for those wise teachers in my life so I turned to Andrew David Smith. Perhaps you’ll remember Andrew as I’ve written about him before? Andy is not only a talented artist, he’s also a blind visionary and one of the most profound spiritual thinkers I’ve met.

I shared my angst with him, pouring out all of my frustrations and fears.

“It sounds like your be-ing is coming from your do-ing,” he responded calmly.

My what?

“Your be-ing is coming from your do-ing. You have it backwards. For your do-ing should always come from your be-ing.”

I was so moved by his words that I wrote them down. “My doing should come from my being.”

But what does that mean?

It means that the work you do, hell, everything you do, should come from the essence of who you are. It should tell the truth, be authentic, reveal your vulnerabilities, celebrate your strengths, share your story. And as artists, this is where our best ideas come from, this is where we encounter the flow.

Too often we get hung up on productivity and results. We stubbornly cling to the timetables and outcomes we want. And we forget that it’s all about the process.

When you start to define yourself by the results of your work, when you begin to believe the hype, or worse, internalize your failures and give power to your critics, you lose the way. Your be-ing has started to come from your do-ing. And this is when we find ourselves struggling.

Andy was right. The best work comes from within. Not from outside. “Center yourself,” he said. “And let your be-ing guide you as you move forward.”

So now I ask you the question my teacher asked me —

Is your be-ing coming from your do-ing?

Or does your doing coming from your being?

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What does "your being is coming from your doing" mean for an artist?

For an artist, this phrase suggests that your identity and worth are being defined by external productivity, results, or critical reception, rather than your authentic self. It signifies a reversal where external actions dictate your internal state, often leading to overwhelm and creative struggle.

2 How can an artist ensure their "doing comes from their being"?

To align your doing with your being, an artist should center themselves and let their true essence guide their creative process. This involves creating authentically, telling their unique story, embracing vulnerabilities, and focusing on the inherent process rather than solely on external outcomes or timetables.

3 Why is authenticity crucial for an artist's creative flow?

Authenticity is crucial because when your work stems from the essence of who you are, it naturally tells your truth and reveals your unique story. This deep connection to self is where the best ideas emerge, where you encounter creative flow, and where your art truly resonates.

4 What are the risks of focusing too much on productivity and results as an artist?

Focusing too much on productivity and results can cause you to lose your way, defining yourself by external outcomes rather than your inner self. This can lead to internalizing failures, giving power to critics, and ultimately struggling as your "being starts to come from your doing."

Overcoming Overwhelm for Artists: Let Your Being Guide Your Doing

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Frequently Asked Questions