Goals for 2011

This is the time of the year that I try to get a business plan in order for the year. I'll usually have 4 top goals & up to 10 goals. Some will be art related(get better at these designs) & some business related(like get a running restaurant gig). There was an old post showing 10 things we were to try & accomplish this year, but I couldn't find it. So, I thought to restart it. I'll post mine once I've thought & considered it a bit.

Great idea - I am going to get thinking now!!!!

Ah and then we'd be accountable as we'd posted them for all to see!

Yep... Throughout the year we update our posting to check in on how the goals are going.... speaking of, I wonder how we all did?

I just saw it. I did well I think.... I had 2 sets of goals as I met all my 1st ones. My 2nd set of goals was a total bomb

I always try to review my Business Plan at this time of year (at the same time I'm getting my accounting and books ready for the accountant!)

There are generally one or two "misses" in the list but that is normal and to be expected - you can't plan every single detail and those little unexpected things that happen can throw you off track!

Just reassess and try to work them in next year!

So, here goes ... I'll probably add more to this list as I think of stuff...

1. work on speed with facepainting
2. get into make-up: expand my meager kit and get decent at putting it on other people!
4. establish studio space to paint
5. work with more photographers
6. paint a few more bellies for portfolio- make postcard for promotion
7. more videos
8. Practice the nothings and tribals!!!!
9. organize a jam.

Haven't really thought about it, but here are a few I have now:

1) Work on my product sale homepage. At the moment I am only selling to privates (mostly other makeup artist), but would like to expand to companies as well.
2) Add a lot more designs to my design book. Don't want to put numbers on, since it is expanding.
3) Maybe see a bit of America after FABAIC. I would love to see New York (hint, hint...) Two of three of my teenage siblings have been there, but not me. Not fair ;-)
4) Work on covering large areas fast, I am so much better at details.
5) Try to work more concentrated at home, and then take time of, instead of working more or less all the time, but with a lot of other stuff in between.

I'll leave out the personal and family goals for this one.... business-wise, my goals go something like this:
1) Add more full face designs
2) Make over $7000 this year (I did over 4 my first full year, just over 5 this past year... 6 seems too obvious, I'm pushing for 7)
3) Learn to do balloon decor for weddings, etc.
4) incorporate ukulele into my shows
5) learn to juggle (been working for this one for over 2 years now... someday I'll get it)

My husband wants to juggle...well he does some, but wants to really get into it this year. I have Perry's #3 for balloon decor. I used to own a wedding store and I really loved the decorating. balloons seem to be catching on around this area but I am finding that people do not want to pay that much for it. If anyone gets more info on this I would love to have it.
My number one goal is to make this full time for me this year. A lot of people still do not know that we are here yet. So, I am working on advertising. I missed the yellow page ads this year. They are so expensive though! Would like to know if you guys pay for them?

Hmm... my business plan is over 45 pages long...

The Reader's Digest Condensed version is pretty much the usual:

Increase income.

Increase income. Darn that about sums it up.
Actually, though, I have to add (serious note) for me - this year - it is about living a more fulfilling life. When I first started this last summer I was having terrible anxiety. I thought several times, to the point of calling paramedics, I was about to buy the farm. Now that has really subsided, but still sometimes...my heart starts doing funny things. And I know it's because I really have outgrown my business. The stress and feeling I am so worthless ... well ... so my goal this year is to face every single fear (and I second guess every purchase, every stroke, every time I say I face paint) and just get out there and try. Just keep painting and making kids smile and at the same time letting my inner child/artist/soul loose so I can express the beauty I see but haven't articulated in years.

Hmm... to me that's a personal goal but as a self-emplyed part-time business person it is hard to separate it.

Goals are different than the business plan to me. The BP is strictly business.

Personal goals - well, I want to take some more formal art classes, make sure I get "me" time away from home and work.

And make more money.

Shannon - you make an excellent point. Business should be separate, but when you're self-employed it is so easy to blur that line between what one does versus who one is. And then, I think in my case, I forgot who I was completely. It all became about what I did. And I am waking up at this time in my life to discover, wow, there is something missing. Like me! I am gone. It's all just about actions and behaviors and none of them seem - well - worthwhile.

It is so funny you mentioned taking formal art classes - I just got off the phone with another designer who is sending me some clients. She is actually giving up the web design part of her business to pursue fine art. She said she met a lady who put off her "art" until she retired. And then, she couldn't paint because her hands shook. This really struck my friend so she's taking some risks to go back to pursuing her first love - fine art versus graphic arts.

I think that's an awesome goal - you obviously ARE an artist. Classes will only hone your abilities. I know it can only enhance your business, come around full circle. So I think it would be a business goal too. All good, right?

Perry Noia wrote:5) learn to juggle (been working for this one for over 2 years now... someday I'll get it)

I planned to learn to juggle a few years ago. I tried & tried & tried... Then my son(the dancer) picked up the juggling balls, read the book & by the end of the day he was a pro