Sam Bruce,
NTCA President
Artistry is a skill that is cultivated through practice, dedication, and a keen eye for detail. However, like any other skill, there are weaknesses that can hinder an artisan’s progress. Confidence, perfectionism, and a lack of skill and knowledge are weaknesses that will limit your path to reaching your full potential as an artisan. But you can make these weaknesses your strengths!
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One common weakness that many artisans face is a lack of confidence in their work. This can stem from a variety of reasons such as fear of failure, self-doubt, or comparing oneself to others. One way to overcome a lack of confidence in your artistry is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. By shifting your mindset to view each artwork as a learning experience rather than a finished product, you can alleviate some of the pressure you put on yourself. Embrace the imperfections in your work and see them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Another strategy to turn your confidence into a strength is to seek feedback and constructive criticism from others. Share your work with fellow artisans and craftspeople, artists, or online communities to gain valuable insights that can help you identify areas for improvement. Remember feedback from the right people is important, and feedback is not a personal attack on your skills, but rather a tool to help you grow as an artisan.
Artists can struggle with perfectionism. While it is important to strive for excellence in your work, being overly critical of yourself can hinder your creativity and enjoyment of the artistic process. To turn this weakness into a strength, embrace experimentation and take risks in your artistry. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them, rather than striving for unattainable perfection. Setting realistic goals and expectations for yourself can help alleviate the pressure of perfectionism. Break down your larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks that you can accomplish one step at a time. Celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small, to reinforce your progress and boost your confidence.
Lack of technical skill or knowledge is often a weakness. Increasing your technical skills is essential for growth as an artisan in the tile trade. To make this weakness a strength, dedicate time to learning the proper technical applications for your tile, tools, and material products. Know their capabilities and familiarize yourself with an understanding of why installations fail. Attend the Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) Training that NTCA and LATICRETE co-sponsor (and learn more about it in this issue!), NTCA workshops and regional programs, or study acceptable methods to expand your skill set and knowledge to apply to your work.
Transforming your weaknesses in artistry into strengths requires a willingness to learn and grow. It requires you to change your perception of what a weakness is and open yourself up to improvement. By shifting your mindset, seeking feedback, embracing imperfection, setting realistic goals, and improving your technical skills, you can overcome any obstacles that stand in your way. Remember that you don’t become an artisan overnight; it is a journey. Embrace your weaknesses, learn from them, and watch as they transform into strengths that push you forward.
TrainingBest to your success,