Subtitle: How #The100DayProject Taught Me Being an Artist is like Joining CrossFit
Recently I hit a 2 year anniversary at my box, CrossFit Fury, so my athletic journey has been on my mind. I came to CrossFit knowing it would be tough but wanting to find something that would push me to stick with taking care of my body. Since being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011, my health has become a much higher priority than it used to be but I’ve never been athletic. I entered CrossFit Fury’s Basics class knowing it would be way out of my comfort zone but committing to show up each scheduled day, no excuses. With the exception of my hip surgery in November that put me out for 8 weeks, I’ve stuck to that commitment barring illness or injury. Everyone loves a list, so here are 10 points on how joining in #The100DayProject has been similar to joining CrossFit:
- You show up, you do the work, even if you don’t feel like it that day.
- Some days you feel stronger and more successful than other days.
- Persistence is key to working through a challenge. Just like showing up early to CrossFit to work on kipping pull-ups and hand stands , I should be just as patient and persistent with working through artistic challenges.
- Learned a movement, doesn’t end there. The more something is practiced, the stronger and better it gets.
- Seek out coaching for help with a problem (whether it’s with working on double unders or watching a YouTube video about getting wrinkles out of watercolor paper).
- Surround yourself with others pursuing their goals and challenging you to do better. I am just starting to connect to a local community, but Instagram has been a great way to surround myself with other art and artists.
- Don’t get complacent. In all endeavors, push yourself beyond your comfort zone and you’ll be better for it.
- Don’t let setbacks get you down. In CrossFit this might be like the time I pulled my overworked and underdeveloped calf muscle. In art, this might be a great vision that doesn’t turn out.
- After a setback, sometimes it’s good to go back to Basics and focus on getting stronger.
- Don’t be surprised when the impossible happens.
Here is this week’s progress:
Day 36, It’s getting so close!
Day 37, Bridge is completed.
Day 38, Added some happy little trees.
Day 39, Finished “Visiting ArtPrize 2013”!
Day 40, New project: St Louis Cathedral.
Day 41, Feels like I’m working in miniature.
Day 42, Scripture Sunday