Sunday ☕ : No More Mr. Nice Guy

Ah, Sunday morning in Florida — where I’m supposedly sitting on the beach, my coffee sporting a tiny pink umbrella, watching the sunrise paint layers of clouds in spectacular colors while I soak up vitamin D. At least, that’s the dream version! Truth is, I am in Florida, but even paradise got caught in the arctic blast sweeping across America. Though I have to chuckle — my version of “cold” means trading my short sleeves for long ones. I know my Northern friends are probably rolling their eyes right now! And in a week it will be back to 70 degrees for most of the winter.

My Therapist Told Me This

This morning’s slightly chilly contemplation has me thinking about something a therapist once told me: I’m a “pleaser.” You know the type — we’re the ones who light up when we can help others succeed, who’ll go the extra mile (or ten) to support someone’s dreams. Some might say it stems from deep psychological trauma — or something — but honestly? I’ve grown pretty fond of this part of myself. There’s something magical about watching others thrive because you lent a helping hand.

Plowing Forward

But here’s where it gets interesting. Being nice doesn’t mean you can’t be driven or even aggressive (in a nice way, of course!). Running a sizable enterprise has taught me that sometimes you need both qualities. It’s like being a friendly bulldozer — clearing paths while saying “excuse me” along the way. Thomas the Tank Engine was still a locomotive!

Accidental Magic

Let me share a recent story that perfectly illustrates this balance. Last Friday, we hosted an online event called Art Business Mastery Day. The turnout? Well, I lost count after 1,000 people showed up! It was all dreamed up during an evening virtual cocktail party back in November when someone casually mentioned, “I love these events — why don’t you do one about marketing?” My initial “nice guy” response was to list all the reasons we couldn’t: time constraints, preparation needs, uncertainty about attendance. But after a night’s sleep (and probably too much coffee), something clicked.

Increased Workload

I called my marketing head and said those words that probably make every team member secretly groan: “I need a website done today.” To his credit, he didn’t flinch — he just said, “I’ll do it.” Looking back, I wish he’d pushed back a bit, pointed out the holiday timing, the 30 other projects on our plate. But he was being nice too, you see. The result? A lot of holiday work hours for everyone, including me spending my “vacation” planning content. I try to never ask anyone to do what I’m unwilling to do myself.

Push Anyway

But here’s the kicker — if we’d stopped to consider all the reasons not to do it, one of our most successful events might never have happened. Sometimes being too nice means missing opportunities for growth. A CEO friend once told me that without insistence and deadlines, growth becomes impossible. It’s like trying to brew coffee without heat — you might eventually get something, but why wait that long? Ask the employees of Elon Musk or the late Steve Jobs, or the people who work for Jensen Haung or Codie Sanchez. They move mountains because they act on big ideas and motivate their teams to find a way to do the impossible.

Think about your own life for a moment. How many amazing experiences almost didn’t happen because there were a thousand reasons to say no?

How many wonderful achievements came because you pushed forward anyway?

Sometimes a little uncomfortable nudge is required, and sometimes you’ll make decisions with no one else on board and you’ll feel a little awkward because no one else is in agreement. Do it anyway. Follow your gut.

My approach now?

When an idea strikes, I evaluate quickly and move fast. Waiting usually means forgetting, and when I hear “we’re too busy,” the nice guy in me wants to give everyone a break. But the leader in me knows better. Perfect is the enemy of good — we can polish things later, but first, we need to start. And this year my goal is to speed everything up and launch more. Wish me luck.

So here’s to being nice ... but not too nice. To pushing forward while still saying “please” and “thank you.” To making things happen while keeping our humanity intact. Because at the end of the day, growth doesn’t require being a jerk — it just requires being decisively kind.
With coffee in hand (no pink umbrella, sadly),

PS: Speaking of starting things, we’re launching two new mastermind groups for artists (with special introductory pricing that won’t last forever). I wish I had known about mastermind groups 30 years ago. Since being a part of them I’ve grown my business substantially. It’s the secret to great success that no one ever talks about. I’ve been thinking of doing one for artists for years, because artists keep asking me to consult for them, and I don’t have the time. But if I do several in group settings, it’s a way I can help them soar. So this event was the motivation I needed, and I finally pulled the trigger on masterminds. Lots of people are joining them. You can learn about them here.

After pushing through the holiday work marathon to deliver something meaningful, I’m going to be decisive and consider taking a well-deserved vacation next week. But don’t worry – I’ll be back in time for Watercolor Live starting January 21. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

Check out our calendar of upcoming events below — because nice guys might finish last, but they make sure everyone knows what’s coming up! Make sure to check out the new Door County, WI (Amazing) Fall Color Week retreat.

2025 Art Adventures: Your Journey to Artistic Mastery

January | Watercolor Live Online Art Conference | www.watercolorlive.com Immerse yourself in four transformative days with watercolor masters who will unlock the secrets of this ethereal medium. Watch pigments dance across paper as world-renowned artists reveal their most cherished techniques. Begin your journey with our Essential Techniques Day, where even complete beginners will discover the magic of watercolor.

February | Winter Art Escape Artist Retreat | www.winterartescape.com Escape the winter’s grip to a sun-drenched paradise where creativity flows freely. This all-inclusive haven offers more than just painting — it’s a week of artistic revelation, gourmet meals, and lasting friendships. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning, you’ll find your place in our creative sanctuary.

March | Acrylic Live Online Art Conference | www.acryliclive.com Discover the boundless possibilities of acrylics through the eyes of international masters. For four inspiring days, learn to harness this versatile medium’s power to create stunning works. Our Essential Techniques Day welcomes beginners into the vibrant world of acrylic painting.

May | The Plein Air Convention & Expo | www.pleinairconvention.com Experience the grandeur of Tahoe and Reno in this epic gathering of outdoor painters. Five days, five stages, countless breakthroughs. Our massive Expo Hall buzzes with innovation, while a thousand kindred spirits paint together under vast skies. This isn’t just a convention — it’s an artistic revolution.

June | Paint Adirondacks Artist Retreat | www.paintadirondacks.com Step into a million square miles of pristine wilderness where every vista tells a story. Paint crystal-clear lakes and majestic mountains by day, then surrender to evenings filled with music, portraiture, and warm camaraderie. Two painting locations daily ensure you capture the Adirondacks’ ever-changing light and mood.

September | Pastel Live Online Conference | www.pastellive.com Enter the luminous world of pastels with masters who will guide you through four days of color-rich instruction. From Essential Techniques Day to advanced methods, discover how to capture light and emotion in this timeless medium.

Fall Color Week Artist Retreat | www.fallcolorweek.com Paint where the masters have painted for over a century: Door County’s dramatic Lake Michigan cliffs. Autumn’s symphony of colors provides your inspiration, while all-inclusive amenities let you focus purely on your art. Evening activities spark joy and forge lifelong connections in this artists’ paradise.

October | Prepare to be amazed — two extraordinary new adventures are in the works! Stay tuned for announcements that will take your artistic journey to unexpected heights.

November | PleinAir Live Online Conference | www.pleinairlive.com Join the world’s most celebrated outdoor painters as they share their passion for capturing nature’s beauty. Learn to translate the poetry of landscapes onto canvas in this immersive online experience that brings the outdoors to your studio.

Each event is crafted not just as instruction, but as a transformative experience that will elevate your artistic journey. Reserve your spot early — these profound artistic adventures tend to fill quickly with passionate creators like yourself.

Who Is This Guy Eric Rhoads?

Eric is the founder and publisher of PleinAir magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine (both on newsstands nationally), author and host six of Art Marketing instructional videos and has a blog on Art Marketing, and is author of the Amazon best seller Make More Money Selling Your Art. He produces newsletters American Watercolor, Fine Art Today, Plein Air Today and RealismToday, Creator of; The Plein Air Convention, The Plein Air Salon $30,000 Art Competition, The Figurative Art Convention & Expo, Plein Air Live, Realism Live and Watercolor Live Virtual art conferences. Art instruction video with Paint Tube.TV (art instruction on Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV) and host of several painting retreats: Fall Color Week, Paint Adirondacks and PaintRussia, plus an annual collector Fine Art Trip, Rhoads hosts a daily art broadcast on Youtube and Facebook (search Streamline Art Video). He is a plein air , landscape and portrait painter with works at Castle Gallery. He is also heavily involved in the radio industry as founder of Radio Ink, as well as Radio and Television Business Report, the Radio Ink Forecast Conference, Podcast Business Journal, and the Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference. He is the author of a best-selling book on the History of radio; Blast From the Past: A Pictorial History of Radio's First 75 Years. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his bride Laurie and they are the parents of triplets. Learn more at EricRhoads.com or see Everything We Do.