Make Goals but reasonable

Make goals but be reasonable.

I have a number in my head that I try to reach every year.  It is how many paintings I want to complete in a year.  I have surpassed the number once and haven’t ever reached the goal again.  That isn’t to say I’m not getting anything done, I have plenty of inventory, but I want to reach that goal again.  Just not today.  I am moving again and I will be doing shows as well and splitting my studio in two for several months.  Some once said, “Life is what happens when you are busy making plans.”  Sounds legit.

Goals are important, they give you focus and let you see the direction you want to go in.  Without goals, we tend to flounder around and lose our way.  A goal can be like beacon that pulls you through confusion and keeps you on the straight and narrow.  Short term goals and long-term goals are both worth having and a business plan on how you think you can achieve them.  A business plan is a bit like a map or GPS showing the way to get to the beacon itself.

How do find your goal and business plan? Figure out where you want to be next year, 5 years from now and even 10.  Then consider the things you are willing to do to achieve them.  Like, I won’t consider a 9-5 because it will interfere with your final goal.

With my move in mind, I’m going to have to consider my goals this year and how I will work toward them.  I’m not going to push as much since things are going to be complicated but, I will only let it be that way for a short while.  My new goal is to have things sorted out by October.  In the meantime, I will keep painting in whichever studio I am closest to.  I’m going to shoot for the goal of my number but not kill myself to get there.  The fact that I can still see my beacon will be my guide and my motivation.  Besides, I paint because I want to; not because I have to.