Crafting Your Creative Goals

Some may think that planning ahead is for the birds but, full disclosure, I love a good goal. I like resolutions even more! As a guy with almost as many degrees as there are seasons, personal growth is high on my list. That being said, I also have ADHD, so doing something ‘new’ is also a great way to keep my brain invested in achievements with lengthy timelines. But how does one set a good goal or, more specifically, an achievable goal? Here’s a list of five factors to consider as you craft your creative vision for the new year:

1.     Why do you want to achieve the goal?

Goal setting is all about investment. You can create the most amazing goals imaginable, but if you don’t buy into your own outcomes, then practice your tuck and roll because you will be jumping off that train before the next stop.

Figuring out the heart of your commitment is the first step to creating a goal that matters enough to fight for. For that reason, your why needs to be meaningful to you specifically.

Think of the ‘why’ as the reigniting candle on your birthday cake. When all the other candles blow out, and they will, the ‘why’ lights back up because it is connected to something you value. You are much more likely to take new photographs because you want to build a portfolio to share with clients than you are because other photographers post lots and you think you should too.

2.     Set S.M.A.R.T. goals!

This acronym hails all the way from the year 1981 but, like many things from the 80s, it’s still pretty radical. Expanded, the acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. Let’s dig into it.

Specific – make sure your goals are clearly defined with specific outcomes. For example, “I want to get out with my camera twice a week for an hour each time”, rather than “I want to take more pictures”.

Measurable – How will you know when you have achieved your goal? For example, “I want to post one photo each day” vs. “I want to post photos more often”.

Attainable – This is where most people make their first goal-setting mistake. Before solidifying your goal, reflect on whether it’s actually achievable. This is not to say that you shouldn’t dream big, but rather that you should set yourself up for success. Is it actually possible for you to photograph every bird species in the province this year, or is it more realistic to try for species in your immediate area?

Relevant – This point goes hand-in-hand with discovering your ‘why’. Does your goal truly mean something to you, and will it help you obtain your bigger dreams? If your dream is to be a portrait photographer, setting a goal to photograph a hundred sunsets this year may not be as beneficial as it could be.

Time-based – Setting a specific time to complete your goal is more likely to light a creative fire while also giving you an additional variable to measure. For example, photographing three weddings by the end of August vs. three weddings in 2023.

3.     The short and long of it!

So far, I have been using goals as a blanket term when, in reality, there is more than one type of goal. Three, in fact! All of which you will need to be successful.  

First and foremost is your outcome. Outcomes are your end result, the long-term success, the capital ‘G’ goal. If you have used the S.M.A.R.T. method, and then meditated on the ‘why’ behind your goal, you should have a pretty decent idea of your outcome. Let’s say your outcome is to put together a portfolio of ten wild animal portraits by September 1st, to use in an exhibition application. How do you actually achieve that goal? That’s where process and performance goals come in.

Performance goals are usually tied to a standard of some kind. In the case of our example, perhaps the goal is to photograph three new species of animal a week. While you can set up a number of outings, try known locations and track animal sightings, there is no guarantee that you will achieve this goal. Instead, performance goals are meant to push and inspire you in the form of a personal standard.

Process goals, on the other hand, are completely under your control. Setting the goals to get out with your camera three times a week, to check with local wildlife groups every day or to take a wildlife photography course, are all controllable, short-term ways to achieve your performance goals and, eventually, your long-term outcome. By using all three types of goals, you are much more likely to maintain focus and be successful.

4.     Attach your goals!

One of the easiest ways to be successful in forming a new habit is to stack it on top of an enjoyable habit you are already good at.

If your goal is to finish that photography class you purchased three years ago, attach it to your morning coffee. When you pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit in front of your computer and watch half an hour of class. By attaching the class to your coffee, you are associating the class with something you really enjoy, never miss, and can easily complete thereby creating an on-ramp to the class.

5.     Enjoy the process!

Outcomes and goals are fantastic, but they are also fleeting. Gaining 2000 followers on Instagram might feel really great in the moment, but once that moment passes your brain will naturally start looking for the next hit of dopamine.

You are much more likely to find happiness in your goal setting if you learn to enjoy the process more than the outcome. Take time to slow down and relish the drive to your photo shoot. Stop and appreciate the setting of your next photograph. Really connect to your clients through your shared experience of creating art. Whatever it is you do, take the time to find joy in your process, or refine your process so that it’s more rewarding. Life is in each moment of creating, not just in the moments when creations are complete.

Well, there it is, five factors to for your goal planning consideration! Just remember that goals don’t have to be super serious (I once set a goal to watch a movie in the theatre every weekend for a year) but, whatever your passion is, it’s always beneficial to challenge yourself through the process of building toward a pre-determined outcome.

While you can set a new goal at any time, I typically use transitionary days of significance to give an extra special meaning to the goal being set. Birthdays, holidays, even the beginning of a new month can be helpful points to better shift your mind into a new state of creating. So, start small, be consistent, and then fail and try again with each new day.