It’s that time of year that we are all looking to the future and deciding what we want that to look like! For many of us, myself included, that means resolving to lose the 10 pounds we put on over the holidays. Clear clutter, get organized, take care of finances, focus on family, all great personal resolutions. But what about our career resolutions?
That is not just something for people in offices looking for raises and promotions, it is for us creative types too.
I propose using your resolutions as career planning tools. What has not worked in the past year, and what are you going to do about it? What do you want to do more of? What new projects look interesting and how can you get started on them?
For my resolutions, first of all I should let you know that I am still working on the last painting for that deadline which is fast approaching, this Thursday to be precise. It was not my intention to be pushing this close to my deadline, I had wanted this all done by mid December so I could enjoy the holidays without stressing over work. However, life and personal commitments got in the way and here I am stressing.
SO, my first resolution, since this is an annual deadline, is to start on the paintings for next year ASAP. Next week I will work on tying up lose ends such as website and bookwork, and a couple small painting projects left hanging until this was out of the way. January 16th 2017 I will begin the paintings for the 2018 deadline, to be completed by March 31st 2017.
Next resolution: I have found that I am quite behind on my website updates, newsletters, proposals and applications. I was watching a video on youtube of Paul Klein talking about what it takes to be successful as an artist. One of the things he mentions is spending AT LEAST 30 percent of your time in your creative life on the marketing and administrative end, as opposed to the actual research and art making side. That sounds like a very useful piece of advice for me at this time, so for the next year I resolve that during studio days my mornings will be devoted to the ‘office’ side, and my afternoons to the ‘studio’ side.
So, there are a number of other things I would like to see happen this year, however, I think these two actions should make such a significant difference in how I look back at 2017 come next New Year, that I may find that a few of those other things actually come about because of these resolutions.
So here is to a happy, productive and successful 2017!