Everyone talks about “finding your artistic style” or “developing your creative voice.”

But here’s what they’re not telling you: most artists spend years perfecting techniques and building portfolios while completely avoiding the one question that actually matters – what do you want from your life?

I used to think I needed better drawing skills, more followers, or the right art education. But even as my technical abilities improved, something felt hollow. I was creating consistently but it didn’t connect to anything deeper. The breakthrough came when I stopped asking “what should my art look like” and started asking “what kind of life do I actually want to live?”

Here’s the truth: your creative purpose isn’t hiding in art theory or technique tutorials. It’s buried in your values, your curiosities, and the problems you can’t stop thinking about.

Most artists have this backwards. They try to force meaning into their art instead of letting their art flow from a meaningful life.

Today I’ll walk you through the 5 exercises that completely shifted my approach – not by changing what I create, but by changing why I create.

 

Exercise #1: Most people have no idea what they actually value

This is the foundation everything else builds on, and most artists skip it entirely.

Grab paper and write down 10 things that genuinely matter to you in how you want to live. Not career goals or artistic aspirations—life values. Independence. Learning. Impact. Community. Recognition. Security. Beauty. Growth.

Now comes the uncomfortable part: rate each one 1-10 based on how much your current life actually reflects it.

When I did this, I discovered I valued Independence (4/10) and Impact (5/10) but was barely living either. I was still seeking approval from others and creating work that helped no one. Those gaps were the source of my creative frustration.

Your art can’t have direction until your life has direction. And your life can’t have direction until you know what you actually care about versus what you think you should care about.

 

Exercise #2: Your biggest struggle is pointing toward your biggest opportunity

Everyone tries to hide their struggles. Artists especially. We think we need to appear like we have it all figured out.

This is backwards thinking.

Write down 3 things you’re naturally good at as a person (life skills). Critical thinking. Connecting with people. Learning quickly. Problem-solving. Whatever others come to you for.

Then write your biggest current life struggle. Not “I can’t draw hands” – deeper than that. Maybe it’s learning how to learn effectively. Building confidence. Figuring out independence. Dealing with perfectionism.

Here’s what I realized: I’m good at critical thinking and learning, but my biggest struggle was learning art itself – navigating the overwhelming information, staying motivated, overcoming blocks. That’s when it clicked. I wasn’t just learning art; I was learning how to learn art. And that’s exactly what other people needed help with too.

Your zone of genius lives at the intersection of your natural strengths and your current struggles.

 

Exercise #3: The questions that won’t leave you alone are trying to tell you something

Your curiosities aren’t random. They’re breadcrumbs leading to your purpose.

Set 10 minutes and write every question that genuinely fascinates you. Don’t filter for “art questions” – write everything. How do you stay motivated when progress is slow? What makes someone truly independent? How do you know if you’re on the right path? What’s the difference between good art and great art?

Circle your top 5 most compelling questions. Rate each 1-10 for how much your current life and work explores it.

My questions were all about living a meaningful creative life, but I wasn’t actively exploring them – just hoping they’d resolve themselves. Now these questions guide both my personal development and what I choose to create and share.

The things you’re most curious about reveal what you’re meant to explore. Not just in your art, but in your life.

 

Exercise #4: Energy doesn’t lie about what you’re meant to do

Think of 2-3 times when you felt completely alive and energized doing something. Not just proud of the outcome – genuinely excited during the process.

Write exactly what was happening. Who was involved? What were you doing? What made it different?

My most energizing moments – playing piano for people, collaborating on projects, figuring out something difficult – all involved sharing what I was learning with others. This wasn’t about performing or showing off. It was about connecting through the learning process itself.

These moments reveal the conditions where your authentic self shows up. Pay attention to them.

 

Exercise #5: Most people never connect the dots because they’re afraid of what they’ll find

Look at everything you wrote. What patterns emerge?

Where do your values, strengths, fascinating questions, and energizing moments overlap? Don’t force connections – just notice what naturally aligns.

For me, it was obvious: I value learning and impact, I’m good at thinking through problems, I’m fascinated by creative development, and I feel most alive when sharing the learning journey. All roads pointed to the same destination: helping people learn and grow in areas where I’m also learning and growing.

Write one sentence: “I’m meant to _______.”

Make it about life, not just art. Mine became: “I’m meant to create systems that improve people’s drawing skills and guide them through creative blocks.”

 

Here’s what changes when you get this right

Your creative choices become obvious. You don’t have to force themes into your art – you make work that genuinely interests you and share your actual process with people on similar journeys.

My art practice became part of my life purpose instead of separate from it. I document what I’m learning, share what works and what doesn’t, and create resources that help others navigate the same challenges I’m working through.

The art flows from the life, not the other way around.

 

Your next step is simpler than you think

Pick one small thing you can do this week that aligns with your purpose. Maybe it’s documenting your learning process, reaching out to someone with similar interests, or simply paying attention to the questions that come up while you create.

Don’t try to revolutionize everything overnight. Just start living more aligned with who you actually are.

The art will follow naturally.