February 2011 .:. Biz Goals

Pink Tulip necklace, available here.

January's goals were short, and really really sweet. I mean really sweet. I can't remember a month that was more fun, because my goals were fun. I think we all sometimes have a tendency to make work, well, work, when it may be work, but it's also what we love to be doing everyday (or most days), and so, it really is fun. Did someone, sometime, somewhere, really say that work should be any of these things:

• dreary
• negatively competitive 
• heart-breaking
• soul-sucking
• the thing you do until you get to go home to your real life

Yeah, I don't think so either. Most of us who come here at the beginning of each month are working for ourselves, (or are working to get there) we are growing businesses around ideas/talents/things we love to do, and sometimes we lose touch with loving what we are doing, so I am here to remind myself and all of you, let's get back in touch with that feeling: no matter the stressful days, the overworked evenings, the crazy deadlines, and the such like, we are here because we love what we are doing, and how lucky are we!

SO, here were my JANUARY goals:

1. Figure out what working smarter is, and how I can make it a regular and central part of my life and my work.
2. Create for fun and joy.

I can say I successfully did all of them. I am not done with #1 or #2, and I worked them all month long. I am going to keep my February goals pretty simple again, and see how that goes.

February:

1. Identify 3-5 new product categories to create with my art/design. Research. Prototype.
2. Find a mentor. I have NO idea how to do this, but the first step is always putting it out there. I want to find a mentor who is also an artist and a designer, and has worked their art and design into brilliantly placed, licensed product that are seen and bought and loved all over the world. 
3. I think #2 above might go under the category of working smarter.
4. Repeat #2 from last month.

OK, here we are, the shortest month of the year, so it's gonna go even faster than the one that just passed us by. Let's take February by storm, in a crazy, fabulous cloud of creativity, ideas, colour, movement and inspiration! Happy February everyone!

________________________

IF you are new to The Meetup or would like to play along, 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.
• You can also "meet" the Meet Up peeps, go here and visit the links.

Comments

[Chantelle Brightbill]

I am so glad to hear that you are making your work fun. It is funny, I seem to spend all my time either worrying about not having any orders, or stressing because I have too many! I working on a more postive outlook.
Here is my goal list
http://organicquilter.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/february-goals/

[twitter.com/CandiedFabrics]

Yes yes yes, you are so right! If we forget that we're doing this because we LOVE to do it, then what's the frikkin point!?!

I'm so happy you're finding your way, thanks so much for the reminder!

This was the fastest January in history...here's to February!
http://www.candiedfabrics.com/2011/02/01/meetup-my-goals-for-february/

[sarah s.]

hello meetup mates....I would wholeheartedly agree with all you have said and so happy you found that fun and happiness this month...keep it up...and awesome necklace...

Here's my February:

http://sarahgstevenson.com/blog/?p=731

[Deborah]

Hot dang! I am right there with you Liz!! Joy. I have it and want to keep it :) Here is to a fabulous February.
http://www.graysonstudios.com/blog/2011/02/01/goals-for-my-birthday-month/

[Lindsey]

lovely necklace, Liz! And yay for making things fun and reaching out into new categories. :)

here are mine

http://fallenpeach.blogspot.com/2011/02/meetup-february-2011.html

[Cindy Jones Lantier]

You made some excellent points! Even though I'm relatively new on my journey, I've already forgotten that I'm doing this for the love/joy from time to time. Thanks for the brilliant reminder!

January was pretty much a bust for me, because I got sick. Here's hoping February is better!

http://lantier.org/2011/02/786/

[Cindy Jones Lantier]

P.S. Liz, I sent you an email a few days ago about the podcast. Did it go to your spam? Should I resend it?

[nathalie]

oh yes Liz ! how great it must be to be one's own boss and do everyday what one likes doing ! life must be lighter , no ? I'm glad you feel that way !

[Cynthia at Coffee On The Patio]

My to do lists are way too difficult tasks oriented. I definitely like fun goals. Think I will try to include a fun to do on my list every day as well.

Cynthia
http://coffeeonthepatio.com
http://www.cynthiasblog.com (formerly a shimmy in my spirit)

[megg]

There is a lovely sense of lightness about this whole post. I could tell that you really did follow your goals. BTW, I love the goal of getting a mentor - it pricked up my ears - feels very very good!
x

[Carrie K]

Your pink tulip necklace makes me think of spring and exotic places.

And yes! It says so right.......huh. I thought it was right here but......hmmm. May February be anything but soul-sucking and dreary!

[Laura McD]

I just found your community this afternoon. I'm a few days late for this month, but hey...better late than never, right?

Glad to be a part of this :)

BTW: Have you looked into Score? I have thought about meeting up with my local chapter. I guess this question can go out to any commenters too :) Would love your input :)