Setting Goals for the New Year
*
I am not really into New Years resolutions. I mean, they were meant to be broken, right? I really admire people that can make a New Year resolution and stick to it… but most of the people who crowd the gyms this week will be gone by February.

What I AM good at is setting yearly goals. I also like to set 5-year goals, and give serious thought to 10-year goals. Last New Years I was coming out of a very difficult year dealing with my stepdad's Alzheimer's, moving him into a nursing home, helping Mom sell her house, and a year ago in January she moved into a condo 10 minutes away. Stepdad passed away this last May and Mom just now got the last few pieces furniture to make her new condo a real home…just perfect for her.

One year ago, I was determined to set a realistic goal, which I worked on all year in 2010. I felt like all my creative time had been sucked away, so I needed to set a goal that was truly possible. That goal was to write every week, and focus on my photography. Well, if you get our Midweek Creative Nudge, you know that I did manage to accomplish that goal. With 1200 photos online and over 100,000 visitors on my photo page, I think I will tick that goal off the list! (And wow, have I had fun going after that goal!)

A few days ago, as I was rather grumpily complaining about how I still don't have enough time to make art, Sophie chimed in and said "Yeah, me too! I need to spend more time making art!" So we decided to make a New Years goal of making art every day. Or perhaps in the broader sense, to do something creative every day.

One thing I have found over the years is – to successfully reach your goals you have to make a list – include several things that you know can actually be accomplished – and then add in some zingers that are a little over your head. I have a good friend with whom I share my annual goal-setting, and we exchange our emailed lists for the year.

I share this with you because I am sure you have the same kinds of challenges – Life, Family and Work often get in the way of our Creative Time. No matter how much time I spend in the studio, I always feel like it is never enough, so all I can do is set those goals, sign up for some projects with deadlines, and find a couple creative partners with whom I can pursue those goals.

When you are a "Creative" (which is now a noun to describe a creative person – not just an adjective) – that fiery spark has to be expressed and released regularly just to keep one's sanity. Sometimes it has to be temporarily rerouted but the true Creative is compelled to make art, craft, music, dance, prose, or whatever their medium….because it is as necessary as the beating of their own heart.

Wishing you a Creative Year, and the Time to enjoy your stash and studio/workspace.