January 2010 .:. Monthly Goals

2009 has passed, and already we are 4 days into 2010. The transition was wonderful, I have decided that all new year eve's should fall on a thursday and then roll into a lovely 3 day weekend. Who agrees? 

This morning though was rather a rude awakening. Words of the year to choose, work to get done, and reviewing my goals in 2009 to see if I got anywhere that I was trying to get.

Overall I did okay: 

• I grew my sales in my Etsy shop, not by the percentage that I had wanted, but still, it grew.
• Had my work in 5 shows in 2009, and sold almost half of what was shown (that gets a smiley face)
• Got my newsletter up and going, and published it 5 times since July of last year
• Kept my ears open to listen to that inner voice, and has it ever served me well

How are you all feeling about your 2009 goals overall? Are you excited about 2010? Do you have some big plans you are ready to share?

There are several items that appeared a couple of times that I did not get to, and so tackling these, or at least reviewing these for 2010 are tops on the list, and truly they all center around getting better organised and coming up with AND following some kind of overall plan. Call it a business plan, call it a life plan, call it whatever, but how does that phrase go... Plan your work and Work your plan...

• Working on art and design to license
• Contact 3-5 galleries each month regarding shows
• Marketing
• Develop a comprehensive website that will incorporate art/design/blog
• Create some regular columns for the blog

Specifically for January I am working on:

1. Creating a plan for my business(es) - my artwork and my design work
2. Researching and contacting 3 galleries
3. PAINTing at least 2 hours a day
4. Writing at least 2 hours every other day

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Some news about the Biz Meet Up Group

Many of you probably already know that Jena will no longer be hosting the Modish Monthly Goals meet up. She is busy working on her vintage shop Miss Modish and writing for her ever popular Modish blog, and so the Meet Up will find its new home here, as well as get a bit of an expansion and polish up. I would like to say a very huge thank you to Jena for what she started, and what she has given to all of us that participated regularly in her Modish Monthly Meet Up, thanks Jena, you are amazing!

In the near future, we will be adding some features like interviews and resources and make this Meet Up the community that it wants to be for entrepreneurial artists, craftsters, photographers, writers and a larger mix of creative endeavors. 

We will also  be creating some on-line group spaces for people to stay in touch and connect over and above the once monthly goal posting, so come on and join in the fun! Make some friends, learn a few things, share some of your knowledge with others, and so on and so on.

If you are interested in being a participant and want information about the on-line groups, please send me an e-mail, or leave a comment here.

IF you are new to the Meet Up, here's the scoop:

• Post a list of your business related goals for the current month on the 1st of each month on your blog. {If the 1st falls on a weekend, post on the following Monday.}
• Come back over here and leave a link to your goals blog post in the comments of my current month's goals.
• And then {and this is the most important part, since we are a community} visit all the links in the comments, stop in and say hello, have a conversation, meet and greet and etc.

Ok, so here comes 2010, let's GO!

Comments

[Glade]

my new years resolution is my only goal for January, because I want to get a good solid start.

It is listed here: www.glademade.wordpress.com

[twitter.com/CandiedFabrics]

Thanks so much for taking this over Liz! 2010 is looking great! Here's my goal meetup for the month (link there also refers to my big goals for 2010 post as well!)
http://www.candiedfabrics.com/2010/01/02/january-goals-meetup/

Good luck all - wahoo!

[Lindsey]

here are mine: http://fallenpeach.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-goals-monthly-meetup.html

Good luck to everyone!

[Deborah]

I have listed my 2009 wins (accomplishments) and my goals for 2010. You can find them here: http://www.graysonstudios.com/blog

[Amanda]

I'm excited about what is to come with The Meetup. Here are my very ambitious goals for January. eeek.

http://anoccasionaldesign.blogspot.com/2010/01/monthly-goal-meetup-january.html

[gaia]

Happy New Year everybody! And thanks so much for doing this Liz!
http://andothersuchthings.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/breathing-in-the-new-year/

[Anna]

Hi everyone! Of course I thought of a bunch of other goals in need of doing after I posted my list, but there's always February. :)
http://anna-sofia-designs.typepad.com/anna_sofia_designs/2010/01/january-business-goals.html

[Angie]

Thanks Liz! I'm excited to dive into 2010 with such an amazing group of artists and dreamers. My January post is about reflection and forward momentum... something I wish for all of us!

http://www.jumpingjackdesigns.com/blog/2010/01/2010-reflection-forward-momentum/

[Aileen]

Thank you, Liz! Here's my goals!
http://www.aileenholmes.com/tangyfruitgirl/2010/01/oc-arts-culture-feature-2010-goals.html

[Kristen]

Happy New Year and Thank you Liz! Here are my January goals: http://kf-creativestash.blogspot.com/2010/01/monthly-goal-meet-up.html

[krista - urbanite jewelry]

After starting my company, Urbanite Jewelry, in March, I am really excited about how successful 2009 was. I'm looking forward to making 2010 a year of even greater success and momentum!

In order to kick things off to a good start, these are my big goals for January:
1. Launch the redesign of my website, http://www.urbanitejewelry.com
2. Improve my photos by building a light box and shooting on a new background.
3. Releasing at least four new pieces of jewelry (ideally one a week).
4. Pitch my jewelry to at least one brick and mortar store.
5. Start developing the brand new (and exciting) line that I'd like to launch in the first quarter of the year.

There we go!

[deb]

Hi Liz,
thanks so much for taking over the reigns on the Meetup! I love keeping up with everyone! Good luck for the January goals.

This month I didn't do a goals list/review so much - more a general set the tone for 2010 right list - http://owlandbunnyblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/2010-monthly-goals-list/

[Vee]

Hello, Happy New Year! 2010 is the year I let go of the past & keep moving forward, so I'm definitely exciting. Below's the link to my Jan. 2010 Goals:

http://veebhu.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/monthly-to-do-list-jan-10/

[Cyn]

Sounds like you've had a productive and satisfying year! I hope listening to that inner voice takes you even farther.

And thanks so much, Liz, for continuing our meetup! Here is my brief entry http://riverdogprints.com/photocardblog/2010/01/07/the-meetup-january-2010/

[Liz]

Wonderful jewelery Krista, and look forward to seeing your new line! Welcome to the meet up, and have a great January!

[aimee]

good for you liz! it looks like you got quite a bit accomplished in 2009, and i'm glad you found time for your great posts here!

[Kristin Burns]

A little late, but here are my goals:

http://kristinburnsbabyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-goals-and-busy-december-review.html

Off to read everyone else's blogs for inspiration!

-Kristin

[jenny]

I'm a little late here too, but I posted my goals last week. Here's the link. http://jennyswanson.blogspot.com/2010/01/jenuine-ruby-direction-and-goals.html

[Jessica]

Ack, I'm so late with my post this month!

http://tinyurl.com/yd9vaqc

Will be catching up on everyone's blogs throughout the week. Best of luck in January!

And huge thanks once again, Liz, for keeping this going!

[sara]

I'm turbo-late, but here's mine!

http://fiveoclockcrows.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-month-new-goals.html

Looking forward to looking at everyone else's during the rest of the week. :)

[stephanita]

I'm totally late to the game as well! I so needed to do this though to get some of my goals out there so I DO something about them!!!

http://atomsatwork.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/lets-try-to-think-of-2010-goals/

Happy 2010 everyone and can't wait to visit your blogs!!

[Lindsay]

Thanks for taking this over. I planned on continuing with the goals on my blog either way, but it's so much better not doing it alone. :)

I have been so busy that I haven't been able to post my link here, so here it is:
http://brooklynechaos.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/thank-yous-and-goals/

I will remember to link back here next month. Thanks again! [oh, before I forget, the community idea is a good one :D]

[Nicole]

I think mapping out a plan is a great idea. I am just flying by the seat of my pants and I think it would give me better direction if I did that and put me on a better path.

Here is a link to my goals.
http://www.mercibeaucoupbags.com/2010/01/monthly-business-goals.html