By A. Yanina Gomez, PhD

You’re constantly hearing me talk about mindset blocks and the importance of actively addressing and clearing them. The truth is mindset blocks can be very dangerous if we choose to ignore them or allow them to linger in our heads. Yet, they can also be a sign of affirmation that we are pushing ourselves toward growth.

What are Mindset Blocks?

Mindset blocks are limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving what we set for ourselves. When we are not as confident, when fears and insecurities invade our heads, when we’re constantly questioning ourselves and our abilities, we’re experiencing mindset blocks. So mindset blocks will prevent you from taking the necessary, often challenging, steps to move your art career to the next level. As a result, mindset blocks can potentially lead you to frustration and giving up.

Where do Mindset Blocks come from?

They usually pop up when you’re challenging...

By Dr. A. Yanina Gomez

For the 80’s lovers… I bet you’re already singing “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life…” by the rock band Foreigner. Don’t deny it, it’s OK! So, I’ll give you a moment of privacy and once you’re done singing or humming, I’ll be right here waiting for you.

“I am sorry to burst your bubble BUT I am NOT talking about that kind of wait.”
I am talking about the waiting period that you put on yourself when it comes to living the art career you really want. It’s when you have a burning desire to advance your career by pushing yourself harder, yet you keep on waiting for the PERFECT moment to do it.

If Sergio and I would had waited for the perfect moment to launch the Art NXT Level, we would still be waiting. Between taking care of our family, running an art gallery, curatorial projects, teaching and other commitments, there was NO...

By A. Yanina Gomez, PhD

It’s just another morning. Picture me sipping my extra hot double expresso latte, turning on my computer, opening my emails, and there it was… A short venting email from a close friend:

“I’m having a hard time keeping up with everything! Between working full-time on this job that’s sucking my energy (which by the way you know how much I hate it), trying to start my own business on the side, and personal responsibilities, I totally feel burned out! <<Sigh>> How much longer do I have to juggle all this “crap” around (edited to keep it clean-LOL!)? Way too much to handle /:”

Have you been feeling like my friend lately? Hey, you’re not the only one feeling this way. I’m going to share with you what I shared with her… SHORT and SWEET!

As driven people, we want to do it all! And, we are constantly juggling too many things at once. Many of us are so busy that we don’t...

By A. Yanina Gomez, PhD

When you hear the word “downer,” I bet someone comes to mind right away! Perhaps this someone’s negativity and bitterness is crushing your soul and sucking up your energy.

For your own sake… it’s time to detoxify your inner-circle by letting go of negative people in your life!

As long as these people stick around, their negative energy will end up influencing you one way or another. Downers bring so much unnecessary stress into our lives. And, you really DON’T need that in your life right now.

Let me demonstrate this for you. 
Think about someone you know who always sees the glass half-empty, is always complaining, is often in a bad mood, criticizing everything and everyone and making everything complicated. Don’t you feel tense just by picturing an image of this person in your head? Even though this person is not with you at this moment,...

By. A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.

As the excitement of the holiday season kicks in, high levels of stress follows right after. Whether it’s making sure you get the right gifts, RSVPing for all the holiday parties and gatherings or getting the decorations up, this time of the year can get the best of you!

Why do we get so stressed out during this season? Are we trying to impress others or prove ourselves?

If your stress level is rising up quickly as you begin to anticipate the holidays, you’re up for a bumpy ride. Maybe you’re starting to create never-ending shopping lists, adding parties to your schedule left and right or probably running around like a mad person making sure you get everything on the list [I know you’re checking it twice!]. You’re starting to feel so overloaded and stressed out that you’re likely missing the real meaning of the season.

The good news is that, it’s not too late to slow down! I’m not promising a non-stressful...

By Dr. A. Yanina Gomez

A topic that has been “hot” in some artist-based LinkedIn groups is “finding your artistic voice.”  This is a bittersweet process. Some artists just happen to find their artistic voice sooner than others. Some find it, but it eventually evolves as they mature. But, the important thing is that you take the time to find your voice.

“You want your work to be recognizable.”
When others see it, they will know that it’s your work. By no means, we are suggesting that you have to create the same style over and over. We are talking about…

“Taking risks and working hard until your work reflects who you are and/or your intentions!”

Experiment with your ideas. But if your voice begins to change, don’t repress it. Instead, explore that moment mindfully.

Here are two podcast episodes in which artists Steve Prince and Jason Brammer talk about their journey to finding and fostering their artistic...

By A. Yanina Gomez, PhD

Chances are your mind is pretty cluttered and you’re feeling stressed out. Are you thinking about a 100 things that need to be done or resolve as you’re trying to fall asleep? Consider these 2 things before getting up or heading to bed:

PRAYER
Before getting up or heading to bed, take a moment to pray. Prayer often provides a sense of peace as you vocalize and share your worries and needs with God. Each morning, I get on my knees to ask God for his peace, protection and guidance. What’s your spiritual strength? I encourage you to stay connected to your source of light and peace!

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
A 2015 study found that people in a mindfulness training program improved on sleep, depression, and fatigue. So before you get up or head to bed, I encourage you to take a moment to practice mindfulness meditation. Need some suggestions? I’ve got you covered! Click HERE to access free library of audio resources for...

By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.

Are you more reflective, observant, cautious and highly in tune with your internal dynamics? Do you prefer quietness, minimally stimulating environments and perhaps social events are really not your preference?

Drive comes in various ways and one way isn’t better than the other. To some, drive emerges during solitude and self-reflection whereas others prefer a go-getter approach. You might prefer to work alone because you can focus better whereas others perform better when they share ideas and collaborate with others.

If you consider yourself a driven introvert artist, let me share with you a few suggestions to effectively navigate through social situations (networking, openings, etc.) and also prepare yourself for Artist Talks.

Let’s start with Networking Events!

1. Set a Social Event Attendance Goal.
Decide the number of social events you will attend each month. Be realistic! If social situations really cause you stress, then start...

By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.

In the Thinking Big series, I’ve been challenging you to always think like there’s no box and aim high when it comes to your personal growth and taking your art career to the next level. But, the key here is to be intentional and make it a habit! In the last 4 blog posts, I shared with you 4 secrets to thinking big.

They are:

• The value of creating a mental picture of your goal
• Falling in love again with the real reason why you started your business by answering the question: Why Do I Want to Do This?
• Create a Plan of Action. Write down your epic idea or goal, set micro-goals that will lead to achieving your goal, plug in timelines and create a budget.
• Identify the resources you need to set your business up for success.

And in this post, I will be sharing with you my last secret which is… Keep an Optimistic Mindset.

Keeping an optimistic mindset comes easy when things are flowing smoothly. But, if you’re like me, when the...

By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.

So far, I’ve been challenging you to ALWAYS think big. Make it a habit! In previous blog posts, I shared with you 3 secrets to thinking big:

The value of creating a mental picture of your goal
Falling in love again with the real reason why you started your business by answering the question: Why Do I Want to Do This?
Create a Plan of Action – writing down your idea or goal, plugging timelines, creating a budget and defining resources. Today, I will be dissecting the last one.
So, this week’s secret is: Identify the Resources You Need to Set your Business Up for Success

As you begin to put together the pieces of your business’ puzzle, you’ll soon realize that you need the right resources to make it happen. It;s important to be a proactive art entrepreneur but also maintain a realistic approach.

What I mean by this is that we have to have an awareness that unexpected situations and hurdles may come along the way. Notice I said...