March 2011 .:. Biz Goals

Welcome March! Isn't it March that they say in like a lion out like a lamb about? I always loved that phrase, it gives such a visual metaphor for winter moving into spring.

Okay, and wow, its really March. Did anyone else get up thinking, damn, it's already March? Okay, so since time is streaming by us so very quickly, let's get to the goals...

 Here were my February goals

1. Identify 3-5 new product categories to create with my art/design. Research. Prototype. Came up with 5 or 6, and one is already done and done: pillow covers!
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. OK, so I identified 2 people - Amy Butler and Tricia Guild, and I wrote them both letters! So it's in their hands now, and fingers crossed, they say YES!
3. I think #2 above might go under the category of working smarter.
4. Repeat #2 from last month. Yes!

And March will go a little something like this:

1. Finish up design for at least 2 more product categories, and submit.
2. Work more on re-branding and asking for testimonials/words from peers.
3. Be BOLDER in presenting showing and talking about my work - this is a life lesson for me.
4. Create AND finish 2 new paintings or illustrations, and I mean FINISH!
5. Make some time to dig in the garden a bit, pull some weeds and make a plan for planting.
6. When feeling down or frustrated or impatient (or any other related feelings) spend a moment to count all my blessings.

OK, so here comes March, spring will be on the other side, and the world is full of possibility!

________________________

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]

March sure did seem to come quickly. Something to do with that couple less days in Feb I guess.
I am excited to here what happens with your quest for a mentor, please keep us updated.
Here is my post
http://organicquilter.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/goals-for-march/

[Cindy Jones Lantier]

Thanks again, Liz, for being a podcast guest! I really enjoyed talking with you. Love #6 on your list -- I may have to co-opt it for my list, too!

http://lantier.org/2011/03/march-goals-meetup/

[Debbie]

Wow, I love that you sought out some mentors. I love the fact you are trying to talk about your work more too. Why is that so hard?

Did you ever get to meet the people at Mint? How did it go?

[bonitarose]

I love this.. found u thru Cindy.. love this idea!

[Lindsey]

Yay! Congrats on all you accomplished. I too need to find new things to create with my photography, that's part of my March goals. :)

here's the rest:
http://fallenpeach.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/meetup-march-in-like-a-lamb/

[kelly]

what the hell...i thought i was your mentor.

i love coming here and being inspired to do
better with goals and lists. and so happy
to see those pillows. those make me smile.

and last....as always. how i adore you

[Adrienne]

I love how you planned the whole month & wish you the very best in reaching your goals. I might start doing this soon too ;)

[Kristen (Creative Stash)]

Hi Liz, I'm back! So excited to be tracking my goals again. Your pillows are fabulous, truly love them! Great work on contacting some mentors that is HUGE and talking about your work is so important, but yeah so hard it's frustrating. I think testimonials from your peers will help you see what others already do and can help make talking about your art come naturally. Wishing you a great March :)

My goals are here: http://kf-creativestash.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-biz-goals.html

[sarah s. - redlinedesign]

Oh Liz....I am so proud of you....you have some amazing goals and I love the one about a mentor....you will get it...busy and crazy month for me....I am tired but still moving forward....Here is my post for the month (started last Monday and completed this morning-if that gives you any indication of my life right now....) Have a great month...Sarah

http://sarahgstevenson.com/blog/?p=813