Solar lights seen from the studio window celebrating the New Year with snow party hats
Instead of “May all your dreams come true in 2012”, this is my wish for you… “May you have the tools to turn your art dreams into goals so that you can achieve what you really desire!”.
Celebrate the New Year with a well thought out creative goal! It’s the traditional time for goal setting, so let’s go over some tips that will help you to accomplish what you really want with your art.
The primary concept is that goals aren’t the same as a Santa wish list. Goal setting can be a practical exercise in planning and getting in touch with your deeper / higher self so that you can … (you finish the sentence).
Goal setting can be a bone chilling time of reckoning. Well, maybe it won't be so bone chilling if you don't sit here, come on inside to the studio.
- Goal Statement. Define your goal as clearly as possible in a sentence. For this exercise, choose one (relatively small) art goal that you think you would like to achieve. Hand write the answers and keep adjusting them until they feel just right!
- Set a deadline. Also write the current date and the amount of time you have before the due date. Without a deadline, it’s not a true goal.
- Are you DETERMINED or FANTASIZING? Write down the answer after really thinking about the question. We all have loads of vague dreams. Dreams usually don’t come true without a lot of work. If a new goal comes in, something else may have to go. Don’t fool yourself – reset the goal if it’s too much or you are not able to make a full commitment to go for it.
- Problems anticipated. Obstacles stand between you and successful completion of the project (or else it would be done already). In this section brainstorm and write down what might derail you. Make a list of possible (sometimes unavoidable) problems that you think might come up. Think about possible solutions for each potential issue. That way you won’t be completely thrown when you run into trouble.
- Measurable objectives: sub-goals with deadlines. When you have a big goal, you can break it into steps and do a goal sheet for each step. Think about how to reach your goal and have fun in the process – the more fun you can have with it, the more likely you will stay motivated to do it.
- Reward for completion. This seems frivolous but really is important. Depending on the goal my rewards range from getting to take a trip to Costco (to each her own) to fabulous “vacation” trips (during which I’ll work on yet more goals).
Yes, it’s a never ending cycle. Don’t look to complete all your goals and then to be “done”.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!