Goal Won, Not Lost

6/26/2021 2:29:20 PM
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At the beginning of each year many of us set goals and then as time goes on our good intentions fade away. For a few years, I quit making goals because I knew that was the annual scenario. This year I want my business to grow so I gathered up my wishes, desires, and good intentions and got busy. I knew if I was going to be successful, I needed to find a way to organize my goals. I looked at business planners for artists and finally found one that looked like a good fit for me, The Makers Yearbook. I had to order it from England. My planner is an import.

In the front of the planner, I started out by writing down how I want my career to look in the future. Putting words to my dreams and looking at them in black and white was surprisingly empowering. I looked at each of the accomplishments I wanted to achieve and I wrote out each one as separate goal, So far so good. Then came the feeling of doom. So much to do and I didn't know how to make some of it happen. I almost put the planner on a shelf but as I looked at the book in front of me I decided I couldn't let an import go to waste. Strange motivation but it worked.

I have spent a lot time breaking down each goal into small steps and identifying obstacles that could get in the way, including a simple lack of knowledge on my part. I also identified wishes that won't happen because circumstances just won't allow it. So I took a step sideways and kept going. Now, at the beginning of each month, I decide which goal gets the most focus and I break it down into doable parts. Each night, I write down three things I will work on the next day.

Problem. Good intentions need action. Sometimes for some reason or another that action doesn't happen. A few weeks into my new process I missed several days of progress on my three daily tasks. I was frustrated. I saw my progress stalling and falling. There were some stressful things happening in my life and discouragement crept in. One morning I read a short article that pointed out that accomplishing goals is a skill and that skill has to be learned and practiced. That was a revelation to me. It made me realize that a setback is not a failure and so I kept going. Now, when I don't get my three tasks done I forgive myself, move them to another day and keep working.

I don't know what this year will bring. I don't know if I will accomplish all of my goals but I am already seeing the fruits of my labor. Good things are happening. I feel good about myself and what I am doing. Now when I look at the future I tell it to get ready because I am empowered, I have a plan, and I know how to use it.