Smash Those Goals This Year & Get Creative in the Process
How many goals and resolutions did you promise to yourself this year? If you’re like most go-getter business owners, you most likely kicked off 2018 with a list of things you want to achieve in 2018. I bet you were super excited to greet a new year with that list in hand! It’s a common occurrence, and one many people look forward to with each new year.
But we just passed January, and we’re moving into February and if we want to get real, this is the time of year that goals and resolutions go to die.
It happens to everyone.
You’re excited with the new year! Then the newness starts to wear off and life kicks in. January grinds on, life comes up, lots of work to do, and suddenly you’re halfway through February, creeping into March and already a quarter of the year has passed! And those plans for trying new things and hitting those business goals are out the window.
But it doesn’t have to be like that this year.
Part of being successful in life and business is holding yourself accountable. Dreaming about goals and plans is the easy part. Putting your pedal to the metal and holding yourself to the task is…well, not always fun.
Checking In & Staying on Task
One of the most important things you can do to help you keep your resolutions and achieve your goals is to check in on them often. That means daily, and sometimes a couple of times a day.
Tracking your successes and your struggles is an important exercise in staying in tune to where you’re at and what you need to do to get where you want to go. Like I said above, setting goals is the easy part! Making sure you’re knocking your goals out of the park takes tenacity and persistence.
One of the best ways to achieve your goals is to break down your goals into manageable tasks and actions.
Pro-Tip: If you haven’t read Getting Things Done by Dave Allen past Craftcation Conference presenter Rosalie Gale swears by this book and his process to help you nail your tasks!
Grab something you can write in and break down absolutely everything you’ll need to do to achieve a certain goal. Each task will contain varying tasks to get it done. For instance say you want to do outreach to get on a specific podcast. This might take 3-5 tasks: research contact, send email, send follow up email. Whereas others might have a ton like building a new website. But the most important thing is that you break down these tasks and keep in them in a place you can check in on. You’ll want to make sure you add tasks to your weekly to-do list, so make sure you keep your list in a place you’ll access often.
Might I suggest a handy planner to help you get started? I know you’ve most likely delved into the crazy productivity world of planners. I think we all have. But keeping your list and carrying it with you every day to check in on and check off your daily tasks is easily one of the most important tools to help you nail those goals! Not to mention keep you organized.
But why not make it fun and creative? Our pals over at Creativebug have two videos to help you create your own planners to help you get the most out of your productivity!
Create a Mixed Paper Sketchbook with Pam Garrison
Bullet Journal
Bullet Journaling is a fantastic way to create your own productivity system and make sure you are getting things done.
It’s known as an analog system for a digital age, and the creator of the system describes it as living “at the intersection between mindfulness and productivity. A system that adapts to your life every single day.”
Bullet journaling has a tiny bit of a learning curve, but those who use it swear by it. Past Craftcation presenter Courtney Cerruti walks you through how to create your own Bullet Journal with your own flair and creativity.
Learn about how to Bullet Journal with Courtney here.
Plus, Courtney uses a whole ton of gelly roll pens and washi tape! Most creatives love having a daily planner you can bug out in with colorful pens, markers, and tape is one of the best excuses to not only get creative in your own style but a perfect way to meditate on your goals and resolutions.
Getting Creative to Keep You Focused
If you’re like me (and most creative people I know), I need to zone out and get creative sometimes to really let things marinate in the background. I can make lists all day, and work away at them, but sometimes I just need to get everything out of my head and draw.
Pro-Tip: If you want inspiration check out the hashtags #bulletjournal and #bulletjournaling on Instagram. It is amazing what people do in their Bullet Journals!
Once you start flipping through those Bullet Journal hashtags on Instagram you’re most likely going to want to up the ante. I mean, if you’re gonna smash these goals your planner needs to look good doing it, right?
Nothing makes your planner yours more than your own lettering. If you are going to go all in with your own planner, why not level up with hand lettering?
Craftcation 2018 presenter Pam Garrison takes you through a whole month of hand lettering challenges in her Daily Lettering Challenge. Grab some pens, a sketchbook, and get cracking for your new journal!
2014 Craftcation Key Note Speaker Lisa Congdon is well known for her hand lettering – and she got so good at it because she’s practiced! Practice alongside her in Basic Line Drawing Hand Lettering Class.
Both of these classes will offer you new skills to fill up your new planner, annnnd who knows maybe you’ll get so good you’ll up your ante with hand lettering on your blog and social media graphics.
Hey, maybe add that to your goals for 2018?
The Most Important Tip for Achieving Your Goals
If I can give one piece of advice for achieving your goals – no matter how pretty your planner is, no matter how long your list is, not matter how perfect your hand lettering is – the most important thing is to keep at it. If you get off track, get back on. Forget to check in for a week? No big deal, start checking in and checking off your tasks today. Life will get in the way. You’ll have set backs. But the most important thing is to continue to stay focused, and soon you’ll see little successes. And those little successes will add up, and at the end of the year you’ll be able to say I did it!
Good luck!
-Meighan O’Toole
Editor’s Note: If Meighan’s post get you excited about smashing your goals this year, be sure to check out these posts for actionable advice on goal setting + achievement: My 20% Rule for Accomplishing Goals, Setting Business AND Personal Goals, How to Set Intentions and Accomplish Your Goals and The Basics of S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting. -Nicole S.
