Staying on (a) Path - Monthly Goals

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement."   My new greeting cards  just in from the overseas printer... and such a fitting quote for this post topic...

Here is the lofty list of goals I created for myself for April. 

1. Paint all day, one day a week, and see if I can make time for that.

2. Organise and clean studio AND then keep my working spaces clutter-free and organised

3. Spend at least 5 hours a week looking at ways to market my Etsy shop and increase monthly sales by 15%

4. Re-brand etsy shop and re-design my design website and create a new art website

5. Research and submit work for group shows

6. Advertise and market my design work and get 2-5 new freelance clients for smaller end jobs

7. Develop an editorial calendar and post more regularly to my blog

8. Keep up to date with expenses and tax records

9. Create and post new paper product for the 2 Marketplaces I paid for at Etsy for April

10. Find an intern or assistant to help with some of the design production work*

11. Allot more time to work on developing designs for an exciting collaborative project with another artist

Overall a B- I'd say, eh, maybe a C+. I noticed as I was crossing off the did-do's, that the ones that remain un-done are the ones that I have historically always avoided: marketing and business plans. So, apparently I need to add to my May goals, "do not avoid the things that make you nervous". 

And so my May Goals List, which I will make shorter and much to the point:

1. Spend at least 5 hours a week looking at ways to market/advertise my Etsy shop and increase monthly sales by 7%

2. Re-design my design website and create a new art website

3. Re-brand etsy shop

4. Develop an editorial calendar/weekly ideas and post more regularly to my blog

OK, there it is. Marketing 101 here I come...

[You can participate in the Monthly Goal Meetup by visiting Jena at Modish Biz Tips]

Comments

[Other Such Things]

That's so true about avoiding things that make you nervous. I definitely do the same thing. Even though usually once I get going its not so bad afterall. For some reason that's hard to remember:) And ditto on the business plan!

[Sarah (Rebel Cat)]

Oh Oh Oh! I love the idea of creating monthly goals. Thanks for the link.

[Alex]

Hey, you accomplished more than half your goals! Give yourself a pat on the back.

I am also a terrible procrastinator when it comes to certain tasks (like accounting). It's so hard to get the ball rolling sometimes.

[aimee]

your greeting cards turned out beautifully - that blue and purple combination looks so dreamy with your designs!

[gypsy Alex]

You are so brave to post your goals! Good for you, Lovely! Did you get my message? I rerecorded it 4 times so not sure it made through. ;-) Eeek! I'm a lost case! xo

[kelly]

okay... i need to do this...pronto!
missing you. whatcha up to?

[rochelle]

I love the idea of posting to do lists on your blog....makes it all seem much more accountable. do you find your readers like reading it? I may try it out too.
must mention...stopping by from BYW -- great site, adding to my blogroll now. Best, -R

[sas]

I am a true believer in the power of lists :) You have done brilliantly well! Definitely in the B+ territory.
Sas x (Unraveller)

[Lynn]

I have the exact same list. Except the "hire an assistant" part. Isn't that funny. Love your art, it is fabulous.