Yep, it’s January and there is a lot of buzz out there about developing goals for your creative business. It’s true–you need goals in order to achieve anything. However, one of the biggest mistakes we see designers make revolves around not setting proper goals that are realistic and achievable.
Don’t get stuck in this trap for YOUR creative business! Goal setting is BS without this!
Our theory is that the jewelry designers we mentor often don’t take the time to evaluate their last year. We are often focused at the end of a year or the beginning of a New Year to just move forward.
History helps us make changes for the better if we are willing to look at it! Using last year’s failures (and successes) helps us to understand what needs to change. Those who evaluate first have an advantage over those who keep moving forward without looking back.
Here are a few things to look at:
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What worked for you in 2013?
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What were some of your biggest successes?
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What did not work for you in 2013?
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What were your biggest challenges?
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What were your annual sales for 2013?
Now that we’ve taken a look at where we have been, let’s take a look at where we want to go in order to create our vision for 2014.
Taking into account last year, consider the following:
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What is your DREAM scenario for 2014?
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What does your lifestyle look like?
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What worked from 2013 that you would like to bring into 2014?
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What changes would you like to make to your business?
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What is your overall sales goal for 2014?
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What is your desired salary for 2014?
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What else is important to you?
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How can you bring your vision into reality?
The next step to this process is creating a vision board or list of what you want to create in 2014.
Then, write a single statement of what it is that you would like to manifest. For example, here is a sampling of what I’d like to create for 2014:
“My desire is to design my business so that I have freedom in my life. I attract my DREAM clients easily because they value my creativity and art and will pay anything for the joy that I bring into their lives. My clients rave about my work not only because they love it, but because they believe in me and the beauty I bring into their world. I have a business that allows me to travel and to take time off whenever I desire.”
Based on this vision statement, you can start creating your goals for 2014. Every goal you set should support this bigger vision.
For instance, you’ll most likely need to create some sort of financial goal to support your lifestyle. Create a salary and revenue goal and break it down by month and week. Consider how your systems need to be set up to support this. (Your team, etc.)
Now it’s your turn! In the comments below, please answer the following:
1. What is one thing that didn’t work in 2013 that you would like to change?
2. What is your big vision for 2014?
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