Alternative Goal Planning for Introverted Artists

At the time of writing this post, it's just a week into January. This is the time when most of us are thinking about our goals for this year and what we want to accomplish with our art and business.

I know it's something that's been on my mind lately, and I want to share my approach to goal setting with you.

It's different from the traditional way we've been taught. In truth, I don't find traditional goal setting helpful or inspiring. It actually puts me in a bad headspace. Let me tell you why.

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The Problem with Traditional Goal Planning

Traditional goal planning involves taking a desired outcome and breaking it down into smaller quantifiable goals.

Let's say you want to make $100k this year. You would then break that down per month and see that you need to make $8,333 to reach your goal at the end of the year.

Then you would have to figure out how you're going to generate that much revenue. You might need to sell five $1,500 paintings or fifty prints at an average of $166/print.

Then each month you look at your revenue and see how you're faring. Are you getting closer, or are you falling behind?

And there lies my problem with traditional goal setting. There is such a heavy emphasis on the "destination".

If you reach your destination, then great! That's not an issue. But on the flip side, if you don't, then it can make you feel like a failure. Right? I know I've definitely experienced that.

It can be even more disheartening when you fall short of your goal. Going back to our example of making $100k, let's say you're $1,000 short and only make $99,000. Just knowing that you missed your mark by a small margin can put a damper on your otherwise amazing success.

I have found that when my focus is on the finish line, I'm constantly looking ahead and craning my neck to see how far I am, and it becomes an unhealthy obsession that doesn't allow me to enjoy the journey.

My Alternative Method: Gentle Goal Planning

I stopped setting traditional goals a couple of years ago, and have since taken a different approach. A gentler approach.

Instead of focusing on the end goal, I like to shift the focus back to the process. I do this by creating a list of projects that I feel excited to possibly work on. Almost like creating a menu filled with delicious meals made with your favorite foods.

The projects consist of things that are going to drive my business forward, but again they are things that feel good and exciting. (I can't stress that part enough!)

I can then pick and choose what I want to work on, depending on how I am feeling at that moment, what I have the energy for, or what is happening in my life. Life isn't always predictable and having a menu allows you to shift, adjust, and go with the flow without completely derailing your progress.

This prevents you from feeling like a failure because you're doing things you love and you're making progress. And whatever that "progress" ends up being is fine, because you've done your best. If you made $100k, cool! If you made $75k or $90k, also cool! (or whatever your goal is)

Practical Tips for Gentle Goal Planning

Ok, so how does this look practically? I'll share with you how I do it.

First, I look at projects, events, or anything with a hard deadline that I want to participate in.

For example, I work with print galleries, and they have submission deadlines. So I write does down in my planner (currently using Laurel Denise and ClickUp) and give myself ample time to prepare for them.

I also give myself some flexibility with how much art I'm submitting, by giving myself a range. If I can submit between 6-10 pieces per gallery, then I'll feel like I did a good job. But even if I fall short, I give myself some grace and know that I did the best I could with the time and circumstances that I had.

Second, I ask myself: "What projects, products, or offerings, would I like to work on? What art do I want to make? What do I want to explore?"

Then I let the answers to those questions be my "menu" and fill in the gaps between the things with hard deadlines.

For instance, two products that I would like to offer this year are notebooks and framed canvas prints. But right now, between the two I feel most excited about working on the notebooks, so that's what I'll start with first. Once I'm done with that I can go back to my menu and see what I have the energy for next.

Third, adopting a hybrid method.

If too many things start to feel like they're all equally exciting, you can use a hybrid method where you have an awareness of your overarching goal, but you bring the focus back to the process.

You can ask yourself "What projects will have the biggest financial impact? If money is one of your "goals". Or "What projects will allow me to (fill in the blank with your "overarching goal")?"

You can also use those same questions for marketing goals. "What marketing channels are going to have the biggest impact on my business/art, and which do I genuinely enjoy using?"

Experiment with it

If you're, like me, and have noticed that traditional goal planning feels heavy, cold, and unyielding then I encourage you to try this gentler approach. Experiment with it and see how it goes.

And if it works out well for you, I'd love to hear your experience with it in the comments!

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View the podcast transcript here.

Episodes mentioned in the podcast episode:

E1 - Four Quiet Marketing Strategies for Introverted Artists

E4 & 5 - Quick Start Guide to Pinterest for Artists