Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: Goals

By: Sara Vanderkleed

Sara Vanderkleed — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:41:00 +0000

Yes! Goals are a necessary part of getting art and business of art accomplished. I met w/ a group of like minded artists 2x a month and for a yearly retreat to set goals. We look forward to it all year and help each other thoughout the year to stay focused. ‘I’d Rather Be in the Studio’ is a must for my planning weekly and yearly.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:36:53 +0000

All: Thank you for your input. I think we need to be around like-minded people in order to help us achieve our goals. Otherwise, they can become just another list in our files. I know that two small groups I belong to are very helpful for me. Without them, I’d be flailing about even more than I am now!

By: julie

julie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:29:19 +0000

Hi Alyson, I do set goals…not always in a formal or spoken way but I have goals set for each day, each week, month and year. If I didn’t do this I would just sort of float through the process of creating my Spirit Figures for which I seem to never run out of inspiration. It helps that I belong to a gallery and we change the show every 8 weeks. I always strive to have new works. And there are several annual events that I participate in and those also keep me on a creative track. So really the creative side of my art life is working pretty well. It is the marketing that most often is put to the side (and housework, and sometime family & friends). However, I have your book Alyson, and plan a Salon in January. It is my goal to complete the Salon and put what I learn into action. I’ve always said I need someone to do this for me but after 7 years, no little Marketing Fairy has appeared so it’s a hat I must put on for myself. The business of art certainly comes with a full plate of things to do. enjoy, julie http://juliemitchell.ebsqart.com http://www.spiralmuse.com

By: Terri West

Terri West — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:37:54 +0000

I hope I state this correctly but one thing I learned almost immediately in ABP is that we do have power in setting goals- our goals can be molded to fit. Which means that in setting them we have growth and freedom by allowing them to morph and energize us. To have a goal to reach the top of a mountain is not enough. I want goals that will help me get there.

By: janine

janine — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:41:12 +0000

I am really in the early stages of putting my art out there and it is a learning process, so I am starting out with small goals that I can a achieve with the goal of adding more and bigger goals as I go along. For the month my goal is to finish my current piece in time for the person who wants it and also to start on my next one. My next goal into next year is to apply for a different art in the park than the one from this year which provides more exposure and to have another at home spring sale. I also want to continue to find innovative ways to promote my work and increase my commission opportunities. I have to add a time line to some of those but for now the first one is to apply for that art sale by its deadline and to have enough of my new style produced by then. I also would like to spend more time learning from this site and the books for sale here.

By: Robin Maria Pedrero

Robin Maria Pedrero — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:41:10 +0000

Alyson, Thanks for responding to my post regarding goals, and especially for calling me out to clarify my list. I responded on my blog comment “Yes you are correct, I did not fully disclose my detailed goals. I actually hesitated the first time I posted them in Feb.in my early blogging days. =) Now I am more comfortable “exposed” in the public eye of my blog. The “organize” list actually breaks down the most in my personal list. We artists KEEP so much STUFF; Creating supplies, inspiration, packaging, framing, grant and gallery package items … the list is long. However my only deadline for every goal was December 08! The yearly goals will need to break down monthly. The oil painting goal was vague, parallel to weighing the toxicity of working regularly with the medium regarding health issues. Yes, I am nodding in agreement, I do need a specific number on all items. That is such good advice. I am so encouraged that you responded to my goal list outcome. I can’t wait to dig in to create my 09 list following your outline ” Goals: Measurable, Challenging, Specific, and with a Deadline.” THANK YOU! I appreciate you!” Robin

By: Laura Tyler

Laura Tyler — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:32:21 +0000

I’m goals-averse. They work oppositely for me. (I think it’s a personality thing).

By: Angela Fehr

Angela Fehr — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:22:26 +0000

I am passionate about the effectiveness and importance of good goal setting. I’ve blogged about it here: http://angelafehr.blogspot.com/2008/08/progress-reports-annual-evaluation-of.html and here: http://angelafehr.blogspot.com/2008/08/artistic-goals-progress-report-2008.html and here: http://angelafehr.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-artistic-goals-for-200809.html

By: Wendy edsall-Kerwin

Wendy edsall-Kerwin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:50:21 +0000

I have general goals that I want to accomplish and then I have more specific ones as well. I have a plan that I started a few years ago that has 10, 5 and 1 year goals. Each year I break the goals into quarters and this list is the most specific eg specific shows and exhibits I need to apply to. I’m coming up to the 4th of my 5 years and so I’m going to do a reworking this year. I do also make sure that I list my accomplishments for each year so I don’t get disheartined if I don’t get into particular shows. Then I create a strategy for the next year. I try to stay flexible though.

By: Patricia C Vener

Patricia C Vener — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:40:42 +0000

Do I set goals? Constantly. In fact I am learning to set mini-goals in order to reach larger goals. Still learning this after a whole lifetime of goal setting!