An artist who wants to finish what he starts and always do the best thing

[Nefrit]

Hi all
I’m a self taught freelance storyboard artist for advertising in his fifth year of struggle in an industry that no longer bothers to train or groom anyone like it used to. In this field you are on your own and there is little to guide you in skills acquisition and finding connections. It’s the fuzziest of fuzzy edged jobs.
I always meet deadlines (They are short and brutal) and work pretty much every hour of the day I have available to me at improving my skills and speed.
The only thing is I have trouble guiding myself to the best thing to do at any given time and also have real trouble finishing personal projects. Once the motivation of money goes away my work intensity drops off and I start to follow every impulse I have. I never have completely finished a project done strictly for myself. I will start innumerable things but rebel at finishing. Some of the problem I have is frustration about my inadequate skills and some is boredom.
Lately the need to pay attention to personal projects as a way to open doors for me to both make more money and fulfill myself creatively has become acute. The passing of my father, the birth of my only child, and turning 50 have brought me up from my youthful reverie rather rudely.
So I’m coming here to hopefully learn to get my crap together.
Can anyone point me at anything helpful?

[LiftGirl]

I'm not sure how to advise you, but I did want to say hi, and welcome to DF!

My best advice is to start your own online training journal here and post details about your training efforts. You'll get great feedback and advice that may make the difference in getting you moving in the right direction.

And a non-fitness tip: how about using standard fonts when you post. It is easier on the eyes. Many of us here are not as artsy as you and live in a standard-font world.

Hope you decide to join us in the Online Journal forum.

[Merrida]

Ever consider Ritalin? Classic signs of ADHD (take it from one who knows, you're following in my footsteps). Either that or self-medicate with caffeine.

A therapist, a trainer, a life coach,....anyone that holds you accountable for your productions may help keep you in line. Much like you, it's way too easy for me to wander off on tangents when the mood strikes me because I feel I master the task before me very quickly and see no need in finishing it (even though finishing it proves to everyone, myself included, that I have the capacity to complete a project through to its conclusion). I'd rather drift on tangents and have fun.

If you're young enough and financially secure you can always enjoy the ride for a year, but do so with the understanding and complete forethought of awareness.

I dabbled in more areas I'd care to admit and don't regret a bit, they all made me who I am. But are you concerned with who you are or what you are or want to become? Until you can clarify those desires, you'll continue your aimless and pointless meandering on divergent roads. I know only because I've done it....and I still do.


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PS: Let me add that even with my "meandering," I've managed to get my artwork published. So anything's possible. Good luck.

[nerval]

there are bunch of job offers on their forums too.