Setting goals is a powerful way to progress in anything, and it’s essential for artists who want to grow their practice and business. But goals are most helpful when they’re clear, realistic, and achievable. This is where SMART goals come in! SMART goals are a unique way of setting goals that make it easier to know what you want to do, keep track of your progress, and feel proud of your achievements.
So, what does SMART stand for? SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each part helps you focus on what’s important and keeps you from feeling lost. Look at each part of SMART goals and see how you can use them to keep your art practice and business growing.
1. Specific Goals
The first part of a SMART goal is to make it Specific. When you set a goal, make it as straightforward and detailed as possible. This helps you know exactly what you’re trying to achieve. For example, saying, “I want to improve my art,” is very general, but saying, “I want to learn how to use watercolor to paint landscapes,” is specific. The more specific your goal, the easier it is to know what steps to take.
2. Measurable Goals
Next, your goal should be Measurable. This means you should be able to track your progress and know when you’ve reached your goal. A measurable goal can be motivating because you get to see how far you’ve come and how close you are to your target. For instance, if you set a goal to complete five pieces of artwork this month, you can count each piece and feel proud as you finish each.
3. Achievable Goals
The third part of a SMART goal is making sure it’s Achievable. This means the goal should be challenging but realistic. Goals that are too big or impossible can make you feel discouraged if you don’t reach them. If you’re a new artist, setting a goal to sell 100 paintings in a month might be unrealistic, but setting a goal to sell two or three pieces is more doable and still very rewarding.
4. Relevant Goals
A Relevant goal fits your life, values, and dreams as an artist. This means setting goals that genuinely matter to you and helping you grow in the right direction. If you want to focus on digital art, setting a goal to create a painting on canvas every week might not be as relevant to your art practice as learning new digital art techniques would be.
5. Time-Bound Goals
Finally, a SMART goal should be Time-bound. This means setting a deadline for when you want to achieve your goal. A timeline adds urgency and keeps you focused, making you less likely to put things off. If you want to complete ten new artworks, set a specific deadline, like “I will complete these ten artworks by the end of the month.”
Putting It All Together
Let’s put everything together with a complete example of a SMART goal. Imagine an artist named Mia who wants to start selling her work online. Here’s how she might use SMART goals:
Specific: Mia creates ten high-quality art pieces specifically for her online shop.
Measurable: She can track her progress by counting each piece as she completes it.
Achievable: She sets a goal that matches her current ability, focusing on one piece at a time.
Relevant: Selling art online aligns with Mia’s long-term plan to turn her art into a business.
Time-bound: She gives herself three months to complete and upload all ten pieces.
With her SMART goal in place, Mia knows what to work on and has a clear timeline to keep her motivated and on schedule.
Tips for Staying Motivated
Setting SMART goals is helpful, but sometimes, even the best goals can be tough. Here are a few extra tips to help you stay on track:
Celebrate Small Wins: Reward yourself when you make progress! Even finishing one piece or learning a new technique deserves a little celebration.
Stay Flexible: Life can change, and you must adjust your goals. If you find a goal too challenging or easy, don’t be afraid to tweak it to make it work for you.
Get Inspired by Other Artists: Following other artists who set and achieve goals can give you new ideas and keep you motivated.
Conclusion
Setting SMART goals can turn your dreams as an artist into achievable steps. These goals keep you organized, help you track your progress, and make it easier to celebrate each success. Building an art practice and a business takes time and dedication, and SMART goals can guide you along the way. Contact us today at FiberArt to discuss how we can help you realize your artistic vision.
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