NickVenturella.com 1-5-18-Begin to Settle into the New Year

Begin to Settle into the New Year

January 06, 2018

I get inspired a lot by things like New Year's Day sunrises when in Florida and not at home in Wisconsin in below zero winter temperatures...hence, I took the photo above to signal a new beginning, a new opportunity for a new year full of possibilities and positivity.I also like to let my mind wander into various creative brainstorms of thoughts and free associated ideas that eventually evolve into work solutions, project ideas and more.Reading often helps my mind wander in a similar way.I read a lot of nonfiction books about the intersection of creativity and commerce as well as books about mindset and productivity and personal philosophies, and branding/marketing and entrepreneurial stories...okay, you get it, I like to read a bunch of nonfiction stuff...Over the holidays I received the book, "Real Artists Don't Starve," by Jeff Goins. The book was finished shortly after receiving it. (Also, that link to the book is not an affiliate link at all...I just liked the book and wanted to share...if it sounds of interest to you, you might even be able to pick it up at your local library.)I typically like to devour books like this. It's a reminder that realizing one's art and presenting its value to others doesn't have to be an overly complicated process.Plus, the value, we as artists (or entrepreneurs or dedicated employees) place on our skills and output has an effect on the opportunities and income we derive from our professional knowledge and expertise.In other words, if you don't put in the work to constantly improve your craft and take it seriously as an artist and entrepreneur (and all professionals artists are entrepreneurs) then no one else will take you, your art, your work or its value seriously.One reason I enjoyed the book, and you might too, is because it gave a lot of examples of creative people exercising the book's teachings -- both well-known examples and unknown, more obscure examples. Plus, you don't have to be an artist to relate to many of the concepts that could easily be applied to other career paths.I love to hear others' stories and creative journeys like this -- no single journey is ever the same and I feel like there is always something I can learn and derive from each story as I continue to write my own. That's why I write this newsletter, to pay forward that idea in hopes that my story and journey can help you on yours.Anyway, let me get more to my point...I'm glad to have read this book at the start of a new year. It helps expand my thinking regarding what I can achieve as I finalize my personal and professional goals for 2018.And when identifying goals for a new year, I believe it's important to be able to step back and review where you are and where you want to go from a reflective, insightful, un-judging macro-level to give yourself the space, compassion and even forgiveness for past missteps to confidently move forward with positive inspiration so you can realize your full potential this year.I'm personally working to refine and finalize my goals for 2018, This year I'm designing them to be specific, but with less rigidity than years past so I have room to move about within my process of achieving those goals. This is a bit different approach for me and feels like I've finally tapped into how goal-setting works best for me. I'll share more about my goals soon.It's really important to step away from your daily routine when thinking about what you want to achieve in 2018. I was fortunate to get away with my family to Florida for a few days recently, which helped, but you don't have to travel to get that mental space.I suggest finding an hour, or likely 2 or 3 if you can carve it out, and go to an inspiring place or quiet place that's outside of your daily routine like, the library.Bring something to write with and on and think about what you achieved in 2017 that you were proud of, that made you feel good and energized. Then write it down.Also, write out what you felt sad about in 2017 -- things you wanted to complete but didn't, or things you just weren't able to get to...having a sense of urgency is great, but patience is key and it's okay for an incomplete personal goal in 2017 to become a goal in 2018, if you feel it's still valid.Once you've identified the good and bad of the last year, think about what comes to your mind first when you think about 2018 being a successful year. Write that down.Then think about how you can accomplish that newly written level of 2018 success...in other words, what actions would you need to take to make that happen? This may spark you to do some research online (or if you went to the library to do this, peak into some books related to the subject of what you want to achieve in 2018).You may not fully refine your 2018 goals in this session, but the idea is to allow your mind to wander and free associate on various ideas and give yourself the space (and place, which is why I suggest the library) to review other texts, websites, images and things that can spark inspiration.As bits of inspiration hit you, capture them by writing them down, doodling a sketch, recording a voice memo on your phone, whatever you need to do. Then walk away from all of this for a while...a couple of days...don't touch it...other ideas will come to you in those few days...capture as many of them as you can when they appear in your consciousness.Then book yourself another 1 to 2 hour library session to focus on organizing everything you've captured related to what 2018 success will look like, and write a few sentences that clearly identify what you want to achieve in 2018, the kinds of actions you'll need to take to achieve them, how you'll know when the goal was met (how you'll measure your progress and achievement) and when you want to meet this goal (perhaps by the end of 2018 or some other time earlier in the year).Then, everyday, write down at least one thing you've done to push yourself closer to your goal. Building the habit of writing it down can help to hold yourself accountable toward doing the work to meet your goal.Plus, over time, when you write out your daily progress, you have a record of where you're at toward reaching your goal, so you can course-correct as needed as you move forward to ensure you're on track to hit your target.Already know your 2018 goals? Want to share them? I would love to hear them. Hit reply and let me know. Or, what are you struggling with that you want to improve in 2018? I can't promise I'll have the answer, but I'm happy to share an outside perspective to try and help. Hit reply and let me know.Have a great week!