Here's Why You Need Goals as an Artist

As artists, we can often be known for creating when we “feel” like creating or when we are “inspired”. These attributes are very important to pay attention to although our consistency will be irregular if we don’t create goals to head towards. In this post I will share three important reasons why you need goals as an artist.

1. Goals Help You Focus on One Unique Gifting

When you set out to work on a project or a collection, stay focused on one outcome; one main goal. When we have too many goals ahead of us it is easy to let the inner critic take control in the form of procrastination.

How to Track

By the time you reach this part in your process, you will know how to dismantle your inner critic, practice your signature affirmations, know your values and passion and how to step into your strengths. All that is left is to get systematic and intentional about creating your best work.

Tracking is best done through what works for you. Below is an example of the daily and weekly options. Choose which is best for you.

Tracking Belief in Affirmations

Because we will always have to manage our inner critic, tracking our belief in our signature affirmations is one essential way to track success. Through tracking our belief in our affirmations gives us the visible proof that we are changing, growing and becoming more of the creative we want to be.

This is a daily or weekly rating system that goes hand in hand with goals set and achieved.

To learn more about affirmations and how they can work for you, check out my post, How to Create Your Signature Artist Affirmations.

Time Blocking

Time blocking is blocking off a set amount of time for a specific task. Essentially what you do is take your task list or daily and plug them into slots of time that are short and manageable.

Learning how to time block is a way to stay accountable. Remember, when we write down our tasks or goals, we are forty percent more likely to follow through. Start by writing down all the things that you do everyday without even thinking. These are things such as eating, daily chores and exercise. Fill in the rest of the time that you have allotted for creative practice. Ask yourself when your best productivity times of day are. It is important to schedule smaller blocks of time rather than hours at a time. Try to work between 10-minute and 1-hour blocks. Any time that is longer can set you up for failure as the distraction, boredom or procrastination set in.

As a creative, do you struggle with confidence?

Even though I share a lot of freebies and tutorials, I held back for years sharing my creations because I feared failure. As creatives, you and I can be held back due to negative thinking. It might look like comparing your ability to others or not having the confidence to pursue your creative talent or putting your creations out into the world.

Is that you? Have you ever found it difficult to cope with imposter syndrome, your inner critic, fear of failure, perfectionistic tendencies, and being hesitant to share your work?

If your answer is yes, I have a Free resource for you. It’s just a click away!

2. Goals Help You Connect With the Right Community

Your Specific Field

Who have you surrounded yourself with? Are they creatives who may be in a similar situation as you? It is helpful to follow some artists who are a few steps ahead as they can be an encouragement and offer helpful tips.

Constructive Critique

Even though we need to be lifted and encouraged, constructive critique is essential if our skills are to develop. You need to seek out and find other creatives who are willing to offer this for you. It is up to you whether it is something a peer does or something you pay for. It often turns out that we value something more if there is an exchange of payment.

I encourage you to get a start right now on recognizing your inner critic with this FREE step by step guide called, “How to Make Over Your Inner Critic: Recognize Fear & Step Into Confidence”

3. Goals Help You Maintain Accountability

Journaling

Writing in a journal is a practical place to tangibly voice your commitments to your daily, weekly and monthly goals. It is also a place to write out how proud you are of your accomplishments. Sometimes it helps to solidify your written beliefs if you say them out loud or practice saying them in the mirror. We need to journal our thoughts and feelings because this type of vocalizing is an essential tool to achieving your goal.

Who are you accountable to?

Voicing your negative thoughts to others can help you gain perspective and feedback. Don’t be shy in sharing your progress either, your voice and experience just may encourage and inspire someone else (and even yourself). Sharing your success, no matter how big or small is important. Surrounding yourself with a like minded community in relation to your creative dream can encourage, challenge and motivate you.

Accountability keeps us on our toes and getting into the next task and the next and so on. I would recommend meeting with an accountability partner once a month.

Do They Challenge You?

Are you being challenged by your mentor or peer to put yourself online, to make your work visible, to see you as they see you? Your answer will guide you towards what you need more of or less of.

Don’t let any more time go by, get a start right now on recognizing your inner critic with this FREE step by step guide called, “How to Make Over Your Inner Critic: Recognize Fear & Step Into Confidence”

As you can see, goals give us what we need to develop consistency and follow through. We need goals for focus on our best work. These goals can be broken down into manageable tasks using tracking and time blocking. Goals give us the right challenge and support from the right community. And lastly, goals help us maintain accountability to ourselves and to encouraging peers.

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