Ever feel like consistency is the missing piece in your art practice or business? You start with energy and intention, but life takes over—and before you know it, weeks have passed with no progress on your art goals.

You’re not lazy or unmotivated. You just don’t have the right systems.

The most successful artists I know aren’t the ones with the fanciest tools or the most time—they’re the ones who’ve built repeatable rhythms into their creative and business lives. These systems don’t restrict them. They give them freedom.

In this blog, you’ll learn what systems really are (hint: they’re not scary!), how to start small, and why they’re key to creating sustainably—not just in 2025, but for the long haul.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube here:
The Invisible Ingredient for Your Success as an Artist in Business

What Is a System, Really?

It’s just a repeatable way of doing something that makes your life easier. That’s it.

• A checklist for packing orders
  
• A folder structure for your digital files
  
• A set time each week for admin
  
• A script for how you reply to enquiries
  
  

If you’ve ever said, “Next time, I’ll remember to...” that’s a sign a system could help.

Start Where You Are

You don’t need to overhaul your whole business in one go. The best place to begin is with one part of your week that always feels hard or chaotic.

Ask yourself: What do I always procrastinate on?
That’s probably the area that needs a system.

Try jotting down a 5-step routine. Or set a weekly recurring reminder to batch certain tasks (like photographing your work or scheduling social posts). Once it becomes second nature, it’s no longer draining your brain power.

Systems Help You Scale Without Burning Out

It’s easy to romanticise the “just go with the flow” approach to making art. And while that might work in the short term, it rarely sustains a business.

If you want to sell your work consistently, open up commission spots, grow your audience, or even exhibit more—there will come a point where flying by the seat of your pants just won’t cut it.

This is where systems step in to hold you. They allow you to scale what’s working, without sacrificing your time or energy.

The Top 3 Systems I Swear By

Here’s what helped me grow my own six-figure art business:

1. Art Production System – A rhythm for creating consistently, even when I’m busy or uninspired
   
   
2. Audience Attraction System – A way to regularly connect with new people who love what I do
   
   
3. Conversion System – A method to confidently turn interest into sales or commissions
   
   

Each of these has evolved over time, and I teach them in depth in my coaching programs. But you don’t need to master them all right now. Just know they exist—and you can build them, too.

Your First Step? Make It Simple

Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for repeatable. The simpler your system, the more likely you’ll actually use it.

Here’s a good one to start with:

Your Weekly Check-In System

• What did I create this week?
  
• What felt good / what felt off?
  
• What one thing do I want to improve next week?
  
• What’s one task I can prep now to make next week easier?
  
  

That’s it. Use a journal, whiteboard, or note on your phone. Five minutes, once a week.

You Can Be Organised and Creative

You don’t have to choose between freedom and structure. You can have both. In fact, they work best together.

You just need systems designed for the way you work. Systems that make space for your creative magic—not squeeze it out.

Ready to explore more? Watch the full video episode here:
The Invisible Ingredient for Your Success as an Artist in Business