Set ur Goal

Think long-term

The size of your goals depends on the size of your dreams. Some goals can be achieved in a day, a week or a month. These are short-term goals. Short-term goals taking a class on how to mix paint, and completing a short story or starting a new sculpture. Other goals - such as becoming a six-figure sketch artist or a bestselling author - can take much longer, perhaps years, even decades. These goals are called long-term goals. It's important to have both kinds of goals.

Get goaling

Step 1:

Decide what you wantThe first step in setting your goals is to decide what you really want to focus your attention on. You've already made a list of your dreams. Now take a look at your list and circle the three things that are most important to you.

Step 2:

Write down SMART goalsOnce you've decided which five things you want to focus your attention on, the next step is turning each of them into a SMART goal.

SMART goals are:·
Savvy-Savvy goals are easy to understand and use, and ignite your passion. For instance, rather than just saying I wanted to be more creative, I said I wanted to be an "idea girl," which was more inspiring to me. So inspiring that I eventually even started a business called Idea Girls to help inspire others.·
Measurable-Measurable goals define the exact outcome you want to achieve: publish an essay in Newsweek, take three one-day workshops, choose a new color palette for my living room.·
Active-Active goals use "do it" words such as publish, draw and paint. They tell you exactly what it is you're supposed to do, rather than how it is you're supposed to feel.·
Reachable-Reachable goals are realistic. They can actually be achieved. While it is realistic for me to earn six figures this year as a writer (I've been doing it for 20 years), a goal of doing the same by selling my art wouldn't be reachable, at least not this year.·
Timed-Finally, your goals need deadlines, a specific time by which you'll achieve them: by noon on Friday, before my birthday, by December 31.Now that you understand what makes a goal SMART, rewrite each of your goals making sure that it's savvy, measurable, active, reachable and timed.

Step 3:

Create an action plan

Now that you know exactly what it is that you want to accomplish, the next step is creating a step-by-step action plan for getting it. Break big goals into smaller goals, then think of each of your goals as the rungs of a ladder. Every small goal you complete means you climb one more rung on the ladder of your success. The more steps you take, the closer you are to the top - and to achieving the creative life of your dreams.

To develop your own goal ladder, make a list of all the things you need to do to reach your goal. Put them in order, beginning with the first step and so on, and give yourself a deadline for each step. And for good measure, share your goals and your action plan with someone you trust. Having someone else to whom you feel accountable will help you feel more accountable to yourself.

Celebrate your success

When you achieve a goal, celebrate your success. Take a hot bath, buy a new DVD, schedule a weekend away. Better yet, enlist someone else who can help you. For instance, ask a friend to take you to a movie or treat you to lunch, or ask your partner to do the grocery shopping for the week or fill your car with gas for a month. And remember to reward yourself along the way, perhaps every time you climb another rung of your ladder. These rewards will fuel you to take the next step - and will help you stay focused on achieving your goals.

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