Circles of Success Column for Iron County Today, May 19, 2025

Circles of Success

 by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President

Motivation follows action, but you have to be motivated to act. Every artist feels this paralysis.  Probably every person.  

At a violin workshop they talked about a circle of success for practicing music.  When you practice you increase your ability which leads to the motivation to practice so you have a "circle of success" with regular practice.  Making it a habit makes it happen.

The "circle of despair" is no practice, decreased ability, and loss of motivation.  I have to admit I am a Class 1 procrastinator. I think about getting the project done, but often wait until there is a deadline. 

It is very easy to put off until tomorrow or even to the next week and then months go by with a good idea unrealized. What spurs you to action? How do you articulate what is worth your time?  On the other hand how do you balance with enough rest and recreation to have the ability to proceed?

Time is a precious commodity and having a routine with the basics is an ideal way to approach these issues.  However, give me a break because life happens and it's hard to keep to routines. 

By scheduling a recital I have a goal and have to practice.  By scheduling a lunch with a friend I have a pleasant break. Sometimes just getting it on the calendar can be motivation.

One of our upcoming projects is the Final Friday Art Walks. We have simplified this so that it is open to all the artists and crafts people with no vendor fee. The selection process in the past for Art Festivals we had at SUU and in the park was more than I could handle and more than any other Arts Council Board Member wanted to tackle. I do, however, have to schedule the musicians and that is an ongoing project.  Our latest schedule is on our Facebook Event under the Cedar Art Walks. If you want to participate with a music group contact me at cedarcityartscouncil@gmail.com. We start the Final Friday Art Walks on June 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. and go through September 26. This is a free public event that is family friendly and we appreciate everyone who participates.

Hopefully I will get my act together to have posters, a map, and press releases done in time.  In the meantime one of my upcoming art breaks will include the Cedar Valley Community Theater production of Scarlet Pimpernel at the end of May. This will include live music with several Orchestra of Southern Utah musicians in the pit orchestra. 

As this season closes we can look forward to lots of upcoming art exhibits, concerts, plays, and book releases. As always, thanks to everyone building our arts community.  Congratulations to the graduates who are headed off to new adventures. Wish me luck on getting that Final Friday Art Walk map done because it hasn't happened for years. Having some public accountability might make the difference this year. Cue the laughter.

from a workshop and I don't know the author

My visual representation for my violin students