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By Bev Bachel
Creative people revel in making something out of nothing, so when a new year and a blank calendar appears, the possibilities seem endless. Suddenly, impossible editors aren't so intimidating, artistic debuts are only one workshop away and sales goals are easy to achieve.
But John C. Norcross, author of Changing for Good, says that 36 percent of those who set New Year's resolutions give up by the end of January, and a full half of all resolutions are abandoned within three months. So, if you want to make this year your best creative year yet - and actually stick to your resolutions - it's time to get goaling!
The power of goals
Most people who are successful in life are successful because they set goals and develop step-by-step action plans for achieving them. But guess what? Only three percent of adults have clear, written goals. What a shame. Especially considering that those who do accomplish up to 10 times more than other people, including people who are more talented. In fact, a person who sets goals - and focuses on taking small steps to achieve them - will run circles around a genius who talks a lot but never does anything.
And what's true for the general population is also true for creative people. There's only one way to ensure that hopes and dreams become real - and that's by setting goals. A goal is something you want, of course. But there's more to it than that. It's also something you're willing to work toward, whether it takes days, weeks or months to achieve. In essence, goals are the steppingstones that make your dreams become real.
Dusting off your dreams
Before you can actually set goals, you need to figure out exactly what you want. Begin by completing this sentence: If I could do anything I would ________________.
Now create a list of 10 dreams. And dream BIG. Get your creative juices flowing. Instead of saying, "Write a novel," say "Write a novel that's on the New York Times bestseller list." Replace "Sell a painting" with "Sell a series of watercolors to a local celebrity."
Jennifer Lawler, a six-figure writer and the author of the bestseller Dojo Wisdom and the forthcoming Dojo Wisdom for Writers says, "Always dream big. Don't worry about whether you have the time, talent or money to achieve your dreams. Just write down whatever comes to mind."
If you're having trouble completing your list (and a lot of creative people do) imagine yourself 10 or even 50 years older. Or five years younger. What if you only had six months to live? What if you were going to live to be 100? What is it you would do, if you only had enough time? Enough talent? Enough money? Or if you could count on the support of your family?
Think long-term
The size of your goals depends on the size of your dreams. Some goals can be achieved in a day, a week or a month. These are short-term goals. Short-term goals taking a class on how to mix paint, and completing a short story or starting a new sculpture. Other goals - such as becoming a six-figure sketch artist or a bestselling author - can take much longer, perhaps years, even decades. These goals are called long-term goals. It's important to have both kinds of goals.
Get goaling
Step one: decide what you want
The first step in setting your goals is to decide what you really want to focus your attention on. You've already made a list of your dreams. Now take a look at your list and circle the three things that are most important to you.
Step two: write down SMART goals
Once you've decided which five things you want to focus your attention on, the next step is turning each of them into a SMART goal. SMART goals are:
· Savvy-Savvy goals are easy to understand and use, and ignite your passion. For instance, rather than just saying I wanted to be more creative, I said I wanted to be an "idea girl," which was more inspiring to me. So inspiring that I eventually even started a business called Idea Girls (www.ideagirls.com) to help inspire others.
· Measurable-Measurable goals define the exact outcome you want to achieve: publish an essay in Newsweek, take three one-day workshops, choose a new color palette for my living room.
· Active-Active goals use "do it" words such as publish, draw and paint. They tell you exactly what it is you're supposed to do, rather than how it is you're supposed to feel.
· Reachable-Reachable goals are realistic. They can actually be achieved. While it is realistic for me to earn six figures this year as a writer (I've been doing it for 20 years), a goal of doing the same by selling my art wouldn't be reachable, at least not this year.
· Timed-Finally, your goals need deadlines, a specific time by which you'll achieve them: by noon on Friday, before my birthday, by December 31.
Now that you understand what makes a goal SMART, rewrite each of your goals making sure that it's savvy, measurable, active, reachable and timed.
Step three: create an action plan
Now that you know exactly what it is that you want to accomplish, the next step is creating a step-by-step action plan for getting it. Break big goals into smaller goals, then think of each of your goals as the rungs of a ladder. Every small goal you complete means you climb one more rung on the ladder of your success. The more steps you take, the closer you are to the top - and to achieving the creative life of your dreams.
To develop your own goal ladder, make a list of all the things you need to do to reach your goal. Put them in order, beginning with the first step and so on, and give yourself a deadline for each step. And for good measure, share your goals and your action plan with someone you trust. Having someone else to whom you feel accountable will help you feel more accountable to yourself.
Celebrate your success
When you achieve a goal, celebrate your success. Take a hot bath, buy a new DVD, schedule a weekend away. Better yet, enlist someone else who can help you. For instance, ask a friend to take you to a movie or treat you to lunch, or ask your partner to do the grocery shopping for the week or fill your car with gas for a month. And remember to reward yourself along the way, perhaps every time you climb another rung of your ladder. These rewards will fuel you to take the next step - and will help you stay focused on achieving your goals.
By following this process you'll no longer fret over failed resolutions. Instead, you'll be in the goal getters hall of fame.
About the author
Bev Bachel is the author of What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go For It! A Guide for Teens (Free Spirit, 2001), which has been selected as the official book of Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2004. She's a frequent speaker and writer on goal setting for writers and artists, and teaches several courses, including an e-course titled "Write It and Reap: How to Make Six Figures Doing What You Love." She's also the founder of Idea Girls, which provides women with tools, inspiration and support to make their ideas real. For more information about Bev and her work, or to register for her e-course, write her at bev.bachel@ideagirls.com.
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