Temporal Discounting: The Artist's Enemy

Stressed Brain Seeking Instant Gratification | 2022

DISCOUNTING!?

No I'm not talking temporary discounts and before you buy a super discounted online course that sits uncompleted. Let's talk about understanding the psychological barrier to progress.

As artists, we're often caught in a battle between our aspirations and our actions. We day dream of creating masterpieces, but the reality of putting pencil to paper can feel absolutely terrifying. One of the often overlooked psychological factors that puts the smack down on our artistic progress is temporal discounting.

What is Temporal Discounting?

Temporal discounting is defined as a cognitive bias that makes us value immediate rewards more than future rewards. In simpler terms, we're more inclined to prioritize short-term gratification over long-term goals. And you probably experience this more often than you think, from:

Procrastination: Putting off practice or a new project because the immediate reward of relaxation seems more appealing.

Fear of Failure: Avoiding challenging tasks because the potential for immediate disappointment outweighs the long-term benefits of growth.

Perfectionism: Spending excessive time on small details, hindering overall progress.

How to Overcome Temporal Discounting

Understanding temporal discounting is the first step to overcoming it. Here are some strategies to help you prioritize your artistic growth:

Set Clear Goals: Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. This gives you a clear roadmap and helps you focus on the long-term rewards.

Example: You want to learn anatomy - Break. It. Down. Rip the body apart like a posable action figure and study one section of the body per day or week.

Break Down Tasks: Large projects can seem overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes the process less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment with each completed step.

Reward Yourself: Create a system of rewards for achieving milestones. This can help motivate you and make the journey more enjoyable. Like watching movies? Well you can't until you complete your TO DO list.

Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help you focus on the present moment and reduce the allure of immediate gratification. Take a breathe, look at your sketchbook, drafting table, whatever and take it all in.

Find an Accountability Partner: Share your goals with a friend or fellow artist who can support and encourage you. You can also join the Artistic Avenger Discord Channel where you'll meet fellow artists that provide direct feedback and share extra insights like this.

Remember, artistic growth is a marathon, not a sprint. By understanding and addressing temporal discounting, you can overcome mental barriers and make steady progress towards your artistic aspirations.

Ready to tackle temporal discounting?

Sign up for the Artistic Avenger Program today and let's talk about your artistic goals.

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