Setting SMART Goals

“A goal is not always meant to be reached,
it often serves simply as something to aim at.”
~ Bruce Lee

Another quote that I’ve always liked, which has a similar sentiment is this:  “Shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll still be among the stars.” Both are true. However, the topic of this post is a different truth – that setting a goal is more than just deciding to do something.

If you’re going to set a goal, be SMART about it:  be Specifc, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This has become a common acronym for goal-setting, but let’s take a few minutes to really analyze what each component entails. First, we’ll turn to a favorite resource of mine – the dictionary.

specific:  having a special appreciation, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite; to state one’s specific purpose.

measurable:  capable of being measured

attainable:  capable of being attained

relevant:  bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent

time-bound:  bound by time (this one wasn’t in the dictionary)

Now we’ll circle back to setting goals. First of all, when you decide on a goal, be specific. Right down exactly what you hope to accomplish in explicit terms. Use details. Try different ways of explaining and expressing your thoughts and then choose one, the most precise, and that will be your starting point.

Next, to make sure your goal is measurable and attainable, create for yourself a series of steps you will follow to reach the goal. Then, spend some time examining the relevance of your goal to your life. Does it lead to positive changes? Will it help you grow, or benefit someone close to you?

Finally, it’s very important to put the steps on a timeline. There are different types of goals – short-term and long-term. It won’t be helpful to try reaching a long-term goal in a short period of time, so be reasonable when setting dates and times for each step. And don’t forget to be flexible!

Halfway to the Middle at the Midpoint

I have set a goal for myself, as part of the Reading Challenge on Goodreads, to read 100 books in 2015. Well, today is the midpoint of the year (182 days both have passed, and will come to pass), and I am halfway to the middle of that goal – in other words, I’ve read 25 books so far:

1. The Shack, by William Paul Young
2. All Cats Have Asperger’s Syndrome, by Kathy Hoopmann
3. 1984, by George Orwell
4. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
5. What You Pawn, I Will Redeem, by Sherman Alexie
,
6. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
7. Skippyjon Jones in the Dog-House, by Judy Schachner
8. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
9. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
10. The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien

11. The Crying of Lot 49, by Thomas Pynchon
12. 11th Hour, by James Patterson
13. 12th of Never, by James Patterson
14. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J.K. Rowling
15. Unlucky 13, by James Patterson

16. The Casual Vacancy, by J.K. Rowling
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling
18. The Magician’s Nephew, by C.S. Lewis
19. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling
20. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis

21. The Adventures of Peter Cottontail, by Thornton W. Burgess
22. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling
23. Grumbles from the Forest:  Fairy-Tale Voices with a Twist, by Jane Yolen
24. Little Pea, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
25. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling

Within this list are books written by 17 different authors; books from four different series (three of which all the books have been written, and two of which I will hopefully finish this year); and 19 of the 25 I read for the first time. Techincally, two books (The Fellowship of the Ring and What You Pawn, I Will Redeem) aren’t books – the former is part one of a three part book called The Lord of the Rings, but the copy I have was broken up into three separate volumes; and the latter is actually a short story, but it counts on Goodreads as a book.

Also, I have decided to read Time Magazine's Top 100 Novels, thought without a time constraint imposed, so of these 25 books, seven are on that list (including The Fellowship of the Ring, as The Lord of the Rings counts as one book out of their 100). I also read a book from this list at the end of last year (To Kill A Mockingbird), and wrote a post about it, so I’m up to 8 out of 100 on that goal. Most of the books I’ve never even heard of, so I’m interested to see how it goes! So who else has a reading goal? I’d love to hear about it!

Thankful365 – Day 7: Goal Keeping

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Here is my documented life project journal for week one, at least as much as I have finished at the moment. Each black hexagon is a day of the first week of this year, just a few words about something I did (not really anything extraordinary). I also included my word for the year (explore) and my intention for January (possibilities – be a goal keeper). The next step will be to record some goals, I just haven’t quite narrowed down what they will be yet.

“Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

There is much going on in my life just now, so it may be a few weeks before I really know for sure what goals I hope to plan for and tackle this year. But that’s ok with me; there are 51 weeks left to work on them. I don’t know what 2015 holds, but I know one thing for sure – it’s going to be great!

Two Birds With a Patchwork Stone?

Well it’s time for week seven already; not sure how that happened! I haven’t done my page/project for week six yet but I will post photos as soon as each step is finished. I admit, the last two prompts were difficult even on their own! “Behind the Fence” and “Date Night” is an odd combo, and I want to do something worthy of the creative challenge. A few times in the past week I considered adding to one of the first pages I made for my first art journal:

   

This was it’s progression – from a basic green background (using Dylusions Cut Grass ink spray I got from Paper Pals) and a some painted bubble wrap texture on the top and a tree on the bottom (its orientation was landscape originally), to a pair of trees (and a portrait orientation) which I disliked even more, to a gesso covered background with a house, a fence, a yard, and a two faceless people (haha) in swimwear. I made them that way because of the page it goes with:



This page is on the left in my journal, the people on the right. It says “Five-0 Reasons to Love Me….” with a surfboard for two reasons I think the new Hawaii Five-0 rocks (and Alex O’Loughlin is hot!); and I would like to have my wedding on a beach some place warm (preferably Hawaii, but I’m flexible). Eventually I’ll put a list of 50 reasons to love me, but I’m still trying to decide how I want that part to look. So really, the fence is already there, and date night would go along with the existing concept. But two things. First of all, the fence was an afterthought of decoration and background layering, not an integral part of the page.

Second, and more important, I don’t want to use a pre-determined idea as my response to this week’s prompts; the intention behind this project of drawing two cards a week for 52 weeks (or one year) was to help me achieve my goal of making art every day. So I still have nothing for week six, but I’m thinking on it.

Back to week seven, which starts today:  collage background from scraps. This is a fun one; in fact, I already have one almost finished, but I made it a few weeks ago so I’ll be making a new one with some different colors. I find the act of layering a background with smaller pieces of paper very relaxing, almost meditative, so perhaps it will free my subconscious from the dreaded (dare I say it) “artist’s block” and help me finish last week’s as well (hence the “two birds” title).

While we’re on the subject of layering backgrounds with scraps, I find myself wondering how many of you reading this made some sort of resolution/goal or perhaps even edict (a proclamation having the force of law – very intense, very pertinent) to use up your scraps of paper you’ve been hoarding.

This would be a great project to get that ball rolling! Especially if you can find a way to use this prompt for something other than a small art journal page (like say about twenty ATCs for trade night next week? They would all be unique, make great backgrounds, even for a later trade….)

It would also be a great exercise to let go of your control a little and just randomly grab, say, [insert number here, preferably an even one, if not don’t tell me] pieces of paper – and use no more, no less – to fit together. A collage based on reckless abandon…. hmm. Very intimidating, very daring, very….creative?

Deck the Halls

Another one of my goals for 2013 is to create art every day. It doesn't matter what it is, or how much time it takes (I have lots of time). And even though I only have a few people following my blog, I’d like to tell others about it, and have them join me in this pursuit. So I’ve come up with a fun way to offer ideas and inspiration on a bi-weekly basis.

As you probably already know, I find odd numbers disturbing, and have a need for structure. So I tend to impose it on things by way of something already existing, such as using the alphabet as a template for a list, or the four seasons to inspire a project. Well, as I was sitting on my bed in the living room yesterday morning, I was thinking about things that have an even number that would be high enough to accommodate a long period of time. My train of thought eventually looped around a mountain to realize the fact that each year has 52 weeks. I could do something weekly. Then it hit me:  a deck has 52 cards!



Here’s my idea:  I took two decks of cards (you can get a two-pack at the Dollar Tree), and I made them into idea/inspiration cards for art journaling and/or other mixed media projects. The blue deck is for the initial background layer(s) and I’ll draw one every Wednesday to share with you. The red deck is for the finishing layer(s) and I’ll draw one every Saturday. My goal is to use them to make pages or some other project, one a week, and post pictures on Sunday. I’d love it if others joined me, especially if you could share photos in the comments section or send them to me to include in my posts. It's always fun (and inspiring) to see and hear about what other people are creating.

This idea isn’t a new one, I’m sure many people have done the same, but I didn’t copy it from anyone so I don’t have anyone to credit. The images I use on some of the cards were found online, others were taken by me or someone I know. Not all cards have photos, though. And each has the prompt glued on it.

The first week of the year started yesterday, which makes today the first Wednesday, so here’s the first prompt:



I’ll post the red deck prompt on Saturday, and my finished project on Sunday. Have fun creating and don’t forget to share!

My White Whale?

I love the idea of new beginnings, and January 1 is a big one, for everyone. Last year it was even better – it was on a Sunday, the start of a new year at the start of a new week. Tuesdays are ok too, I guess; you never know what will happen on a Tuesday. Just not quite as empowering somehow.

This is, of course, the time for “resolutions” – those lofty goals that people set and almost never attain. Something in the symbolism of the new year beginning gets us motivated to make important life changes; until the realities of every day living creep back in and we realize maybe things can’t really change overnight after all.

So this year I’ve decided to set for myself some “goals”. No resolutions. No promises. Just some goals that I would like to accomplish this year, or work toward accomplishing in the next couple of years. I figure this way I have a better chance of success. Also something I don’t usually do is write them down, which seems silly, since having a written notice of what I want is a great way to keep me focused on getting it. And I'm a writer. This time around I’ve decided to make a list. I love lists, so it’s a win-win.

One thing on that list is to read at least 100 of the books I own but have never read. I believe I counted 103 or so in total, but since I don’t remember for sure (and that’s an odd number), I’m setting my goal for the big one double zero. Starting tonight in fact, with Herman Melville’s classic Moby Dick.

I chose this book for two reasons:  it was an important part of the plot on a tv show I was watching on Netflix the other day, so I got interested in it; and it’s all about symbolism. Everything means something else. And new beginnings, resolutions, all of that great “new year” stuff is full of symbolism as well. Perfect fit.

Moby Dick is a tale about a man who is searching for his obsession, the elusive white whale. I don’t know yet what my own white whale is, but we can take this journey together and you’ll discover it alongside me. So what do you say? Should we pack our bags and tag along with crazy old Captain Ahab? Who’s with me?