Mastering Your Canvas: Lessons from Monet for Modern Entrepreneurs

Beyond the Dashboard - Matt Caramenico

Let's dig into the life of a fascinating figure - Claude Monet. Widely regarded as the founder of French Impressionist painting, Monet's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature set him apart in the artistic world.

He didn't just aim to capture reality on canvas; rather, he sought to study the transient effects of natural light on the landscape.

Monet was born in Paris in 1840, and from an early age, his love for art was undeniable.

But what was most striking was his unorthodox approach.

He challenged the rigid rules of the 'Salon', the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and instead, led a new movement, the 'Impressionists,' focused on capturing the 'impression' of the moment.

While Monet's entire oeuvre is noteworthy, one collection that stands out is the Haystacks series.

An unassuming subject, a stack of hay, became the centerpiece of his study.

Painted over 30 times in various settings - different times of day, seasons, and weather conditions - Monet displayed his unique ability to transform the mundane into the sublime.

But these masterpieces weren't just created in a sudden burst of inspiration.

It was Monet's tireless commitment to the process of observation, experimentation, and repetition that led to their creation.

Each painting was an exercise in patience and discipline, crafted through meticulous work and an unwavering dedication to his artistic practice.

As I navigate the complexities of SEO, entrepreneurship, or even my personal passions, Monet's approach to art offers invaluable lessons.

His commitment to the process, the pursuit of mastery, the embrace of repetition, and even his renegade spirit all serve as poignant reminders of how success often lies in our daily practices, not just the final outcome.

So, as we embark on today's discussion, let's keep Monet's approach to his art in mind. It serves as a powerful metaphor for how we can approach our goals and ambitions - with patience, persistence, and a profound respect for the process.

A big word that gets thrown around a lot: Productivity.

I'm here to tell you that productivity isn’t some grandiose end goal.

It’s actually the ripple effect of a clear direction, mental clarity.

Think of it as the exhaust of a well-tuned Porsche engine - the byproduct of its carefully calibrated internal workings.

What do you want?

To kick start your productivity, first, you need to grab that birds-eye view.

Get crystal clear on what’s in your life, what you want from it, and where you're heading.

Begin with a deceivingly simple question: What do you want out of life?

For me, it's all about being a prolific creator (from long-form content and video to mini jet boats and digital products for SEO and Ecommerce), while having financial freedom, freedom of speech, and a loving family that can recharge through travel anytime.

Work Backward

Once you've figured this out, it's time to reverse-engineer your success.

What are the projects, resources, skills, and people that will propel you from Point A (your present) to Point B (your desired future)?

For some, it might be crafting an eBook, building a YouTube channel, or building a custom car for SEMA.

For others, it's a different journey altogether.

Identify your journey and break it down into manageable chunks.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Your success won't be either.

Deconstruct each project into bite-sized tasks that gradually lead you to the end goal.

There are numerous tools out there like Roadmonk, Jira, Monday, or even good old sticky notes on a wall that can help you visualize your path.

This gives you a horizontal/linear view of exactly what needs to get done and where you’re currently at in the process.

Get it out of your head. Focus on executing.

Make A List

Next, transform these projects into concrete to-do lists, segmented into monthly, weekly, and daily tasks.

These lists serve as your roadmap. If you can conquer this work, you’ll realize that Product A gets launched or Project B wraps up.

Make sure you document your work and track your progress somewhere.

It gives you that sweet dopamine hit when you cross things off the list and maintains your momentum by visualizing progress.

When you don’t have to waste time remembering what’s next and where you’re headed, it becomes easier to get work done.

Define the Why:

The why behind each project also helps in prioritizing your tasks.

Ask yourself: How does this help me? How does it benefit others?

Or from a professional standpoint: How much revenue will this generate? What's the risk to current revenue if we don't proceed?

When you have clarity on the why and it’s visible / captured in your roadmap its easy to explain the what and why of your work to newcomers.

It’s not the destination; it’s a lifestyle

Productivity isn’t about working every waking minute.

It’s also probably not the result of living a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Ignore those who question your drive or your ambition.

Unless they're living the life you’re aiming for, their words are just noise.

For me personally, I feel that I could have done more to leverage my momentum over the past decade.

It’s not time for relaxation. I’m clear on what I want, and I’m clear on what I need to do in order to get there.

If I want a life that most don’t have, I have to do what most won’t commit to.

It's not an overnight transformation but a process where beneficial habits are incorporated, and the long-term impact is undeniable.

Take a look at Kobe Bryant’s 6hr workout schedule. He wasn’t the result of a balanced and quiet ambition.

He lived his life from Highschool until his death with the needle buried.

Some people resonate with that type of work ethic; others don’t.

For me. I think there is a time and place to leverage that level of focus and output if you have the ability to harness it.

I want undeniable results.

Similar to the small and seemingly insignificant strokes generally visible within Monet’s impressionist style of painting, I’m adding in the small and unassuming practice that, in aggregate, get’s me there.

Join me as I build - Beyond the Dashboard, and share what's on my mind.

Matt

P.S. As always, I'm here to help you on your SEO journey. So if you have any questions or need advice on your website, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Cool Cars:

Two very different cars with similar use cases (overland/off-roading). Both are in the sub $18,000 range. I realize that they are both already sold, but these are a few that I was watching over the past week, and they serve as an example of what’s out there and at which price point.

Also, I was reminiscing about a lifted Samuari that a buddy from college had

similar to this one highlighted at MotorTrend: