Episode 163: Playing Small Isn't Humility, It's Fear In A Costume

You've sold your work. You might even have a waitlist. So why do you still talk about your art like it's a hobby you squeeze in around your real life? That's not humility. That's fear, dressed up in a really convincing costume.

In this episode, Jodie names the three lies keeping artists small, even ones who are already selling: that success will cost you the joy, that visible ambition means public failure, and that claiming this life means giving up who you already are. She shares stories from her own life and from artists inside Studio Elite who faced these exact fears and moved through them anyway.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why time blocking protects your joy instead of stealing it

• Why staying small doesn't protect your reputation, it just protects you from ever being seen trying

• Why certainty never comes first, and what actually does instead

Resources Mentioned:

• The Artist Who Gets Paid, Jodie's 3-part workshop (August 20, 25, and 27): https://www.jodiekingart.com/artistseries

• Studio Elite Mastermind applications: https://www.jodiekingart.com/studioelite

• Episode 138, How to Make Your Art Career Dreams a Reality with Jodie Gear: https://jodieking.com/episode-138-how-to-make-your-art-career-dreams-a-reality-with-jodie-gear/

• Episode 116, You Can't Fake It: The Power of Artist Identity In a Crowded Art World: https://jodieking.com/episode-116-you-cant-fake-it-the-power-of-artist-identity-in-a-crowded-art-world/

• Episode 149, 22 Years As An Artist: What I'll Never Do Again: https://jodieking.com/episode-149-22-years-as-an-artist-what-ill-never-do-again/

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6

If you loved this episode, subscribe so you never miss a week, and leave a review, it genuinely helps other artists find the show. Know an artist who should be a guest on the podcast? Email amy@jodieking.com.

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This episode is for educational purposes and reflects Jodie King's personal experience building her own art career. Results vary by artist.