{"id":70598,"date":"2022-06-27T11:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T15:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=70598"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:05:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T19:05:48","slug":"how-to-track-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-track-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Track Progress (& Why It’s Important for Artists)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why should artists track their progress? What is the best way to track your work’s progress?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Show Your Work!<\/em>, Austin Kleon says that documenting and tracking your progress<\/a> can help you study your methods and enhance your skills. To document the creative process<\/a>, you can use a smartphone or any other recording device for filming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading below to learn how to track progress<\/a> and why it’s essential for artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Importanc<\/strong>e of Tracking Progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you can start sharing your work<\/a>, you must gather material, claims Kleon. A way to do this is to simply document your work. Use your smartphone or some other device to record what you\u2019re doing at any stage in the process. Not only will such photos and videos serve as material to post online, but they’ll also help you study your methods and develop your skills and techniques.\u00a0Below, we’ll look at ways to learn how to track progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Document Every Phase in Your Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kleon believes there’s worthwhile material to capture at any phase of your process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in the early stages of making your piece or don\u2019t yet have any work to show, consider sharing the work of artists who\u2019ve inspired you<\/strong>. For instance, if a poem gave you the idea for the piece you\u2019re starting, share it, advises Kleon. You\u2019ll find that other people like that same poem. They\u2019ll then realize you have something in common, and they\u2019ll likely take an interest in your<\/em> work when it\u2019s ready to share.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just note that if you share the work of others, you must be comprehensive in giving attribution. According to Kleon, the most important attribution online is the hyperlink\u2014be sure to include it so it\u2019s easy for people to find the source. If you don\u2019t know where a work came from, Kleon says, don\u2019t share it<\/em>. Proper attribution is a great way to build real connections with like-minded people, and it\u2019s also just the right thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in the middle of your process<\/strong>, show people what you\u2019re doing and how you\u2019re doing it. Share your research for your novel, geek out about your red sable paint brush, ask others how they record acoustic guitar in stereo, and so on. Teach what you\u2019ve learned. These kinds of posts are engaging and sure to attract those who care about the same things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve just finished a piece<\/strong>\u2014show it, insists Kleon. Then show the outtakes and edits. This kind of transparency makes you more accessible to people and helps them get to know you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kleon writes that if you have many finished works<\/strong>, tell people about opportunities you may have coming up: a gallery showing or a book reading, for instance. Share your memories of how a certain work came to be, or ask for constructive feedback. Kleon claims there\u2019s always a way to help people engage with your work at any phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While it\u2019s important to show your finished piece or pieces, it\u2019s also important to steer clear of bragging about opportunities or successes you\u2019ve had. Studies show that bragging\u2014whether explicitly or implicitly (the \u201chumble-brag\u201d)\u2014makes you less likable. A better approach is to stay humble<\/a>. Share your gratitude, share the facts, share when you\u2019re asked, or hire someone to promote you, so you don\u2019t have to talk about yourself<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Way to Improve: Deliberate Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By tracking your creative progress, you can study your techniques, learn from your mistakes<\/a>, and take deliberate steps toward improving. This is an element of a particular approach to improving your skills called \u201cdeliberate practice.\u201d In his book Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise<\/em><\/a>, psychologist Anders Ericsson coined that term to describe the best way to efficiently improve your skills<\/a> in any area.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deliberate practice<\/a> involves several components:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Evaluate your performance with precision<\/em><\/strong>: For instance, record the exact speed at which you play a challenging piece of music.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Engage in competition<\/em>: <\/strong>Aspire to be the best.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Follow best practices<\/em>: <\/strong>Don\u2019t concern yourself with pioneering a new technique. Instead, follow time-tested strategies.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Be coached<\/em>: <\/strong>Seek out the guidance of experts\u2014take their advice and learn from their insights.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Work hard<\/em>: <\/strong>If you want to improve a lot, you have to put in a lot of effort.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Why should artists track their progress? What is the best way to track your work’s progress? In Show Your Work!, Austin Kleon says that documenting and tracking your progress can help you study your methods and enhance your skills. To document the creative process, you can use a smartphone or any other recording device for filming. Keep reading below to learn how to track progress and why it’s essential for artists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":70900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,42,43],"tags":[666],"class_list":["post-70598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-motivation","category-self-improvement","tag-show-your-work","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Track Progress (& Why It's Important for Artists) - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Documenting and tracking progress can help you develop skills and learn from mistakes. 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