Writing My 2019 Artist Goals

 It's that time again.

I have been stalling on this one.  It seems like a huge project.  Once I get started, I feel more excited.  Maybe it seems daunting but in reality, it's such a good thing.  I have a folder labeled "GOALS" which is where I keep my art goals from previous years.  2015.  That's the year I made my first list of art goals.  Each year, I make a list of art related goals I haven't reached yet.  The list contains some of what I didn't finish the year before and more that I can imagine past those goals.  Some items on the list are easily done.  Others will take serious effort and time.  A few will require me to find others to give me some assistance.  Last year, I posted Writing My Artist Goals.  I have 5 simple tips to share if you're interested in writing your own artist goals.  Here's how I go about the process to create my own list.

1.  Reflect back on where I have been.

It's time again.  While I avoid it, it's not so bad.  Looking over the previous year's goals, thinking about how much I was able to do, is very satisfying.  I feel a sense of accomplishment.  I didn't let art go.  I kept this commitment to my creative self.  There's so much to distract and reroute life.  So many different directions that my attention is drawn...so many responsibilities.

It would be natural to become sidetracked with other interests.  Years ago, my art room was close to being like a ghost town...you know, the photos of interiors where there's an inch of dust on every surface, cobwebs create a veil of gray, and a sadness at the way furniture has fallen apart unused.  This room is attached to the back of our house.  It's by walking from the kitchen, through my art room, out the back door that we get to the garage and backyard.  At times, I was slightly grieved with each pass through this room to leave the house.  I felt an inward struggle, knowing I needed to put other people and responsibilities first, but still missing my artist self.

I found that I enjoyed looking back over my 2018 art goals.  As I was reading through each one, I checked off those that were completed.  I examined the goals not completed and then chose whether that goal should be carried over to 2019.  Maybe some goals weren't as important in the grand scheme of things.  If I felt a remaining desire to try again, that one is a keeper.

2.  Remember my commitment to my art.

When I began writing my art goals in 2015, it was like a personal declaration that art is important.  Art is important to me.  For many years I had let everything else be more important.  My creative self felt like it was starving or worse yet...dying.  I craved that energy flowing through my mind to the paper, becoming a watercolor work of art.  That was the year when I decided to never let art be crowded out again.

Creating my own art is important to me.  I am committed to keeping art as a priority in my own life.  My artist experience changes with the ebb and flow of life.  Sometimes, I have several full days to dedicate to my art.  Most often, it's fitting art into the free slots of time...maybe an hour before I have to go in another direction.  Like a woven fabric, the threads of art are constantly varied from a few to many all depending on what my personal life requires of me.

3.  Get it in writing.

I don't read my yearly goals daily.  They aren't anything fancy or professional looking.  My goals are handwritten on a sheet of plain white paper.  Somehow, just by writing them, they are more imprinted on my subconscious mind.  If I write it on the paper, it's important to me.  As I imagine where I want to take my artist self from the present, that's what I list as a goal.  I go all out with smaller and larger goals.  Admitting I want that big goal fuels my confidence and courage to go for it.  These goals are written for me...to remind myself where I am headed with creating art.

4.  All the goals matter.

I pick some big goals and some small goals.  My question to myself is this, "what is important to me with my art in 2019?"  My art priorities are varied so that there are some very satisfying goals that don't take much time.  If the big goals cannot be met because life takes an unexpected turn, I have some comfort.  I keep remembering there are ways I can achieve goals with limited time and energy.  If a big goal is not met in 2019, I will carry it over to 2020.  No judgement.  No guilt.  I just keep pressing on.

5.  Post my goals

There's a spot at the top of my bulletin board which I reserve for this list.  With a thumb tack pressed through the sheet of paper, this list is my declaration for this year.  Now that I have these aspirations on paper, they don't belong in a notebook or a file folder.  The goals become a part of my art room and a reminder of why I am showing up to make more artwork.  I post it there to remind me I am moving forward toward the things that matter to the artist in me.

5 Simple Tips For Writing Your Art Goals:

1.  Reflect back on where you have been. 

Remember back to the beginning, when you decided to make art a priority.  How far have you come already?  Are you excited to see the changes that have taken place?  Feel good about that.  Soak it up.

2.  Remember your commitment to your art.

Why are you creating art?  Why is it important to you?  Do you feel like your creative self is starving?  Do you feel like art is your therapy?  What does it look like for you to give more time and energy to creative pursuits?

3.  Get it in writing.

Don't make it complicated.  Nothing fancy here.  Take a sheet of paper and a pen.  Write down your list of what would be the possible outcomes.  When you imagine yourself being more creatively fulfilled, what are you doing?  You write them down for your own declaration to yourself, giving you purpose and drive and hope.

4.  All the goals matter.

These are your goals.  If it matters to you, it matters.  Don't spend any energy downplaying your goals; none are insignificant.  If you'd like to take a class, write it down.  If you'd like to watch YouTube videos about a specific medium or technique, write it down.  Be daring and adventurous without hesitation.

5.  Post your goals.

Now that your art goals are written down on paper, it's time to hang them up on a wall or bulletin board.  Take a photo and make it the wallpaper on your phone.  Keep a copy in your planner or sketch book.  This is a declaration of intent and a place to begin.  Be excited.  Be proud.  Your creative spirit that is hungry for making art is coming alive again.

Wrapping up for today...

Do me a big favor...if you wouldn't mind, will you leave a comment with one of your own art goals?  Are you going to take on this challenge and write your own goals for art?  Is this a habit you have already taken on?  How has it worked for you?

One of the best things about writing this blog is meeting other creative people.  We share this energy to learn more about pursuing art.  It's an amazing way to connect with others.

Thank you for dropping in and sharing some of your time here.  I ramble on and wonder whether anyone is out there that might relate with what I share.  It's like my artist journal.  These are my thoughts and inspirations.  I hope it inspires you.

Life will soon change as I return to nannying for six months.  I'll be in and out of my art room but less frequently.  Time will be more precious and my posts will be brief.  I will attempt to bring some simple yet creative updates.  Shorter posts are still a challenge for me.  I will be checking in to read comments and answer questions.

Christy

She must make art.