Artists: The one BIG thing you need to do this year

When I journaled my goals for this year, I wrote down so many things that I want to do. And then I tried to make that list smaller.

But I still found myself overwhelmed with my art goals. Do you feel the same?

I want to paint every day, create more art that tells a story, host 3 big art challenges, and many art business goals on top of that.

And then I did an online training that made me realize it’s okay to not do all the things.

It’s okay to not, NOT do something this year.

So let me ask you: what are you NOT going to do this year?

Giving yourself permission to say no to some of the things you eventually want to do is courageous.

In fact, I am saying no to many things I want to do this year.

TIP: make a “maybe next year” list in your journal for the things you’re saying no to this year.

And you know what? I now feel happier! I feel far less stressed and overwhelmed. Because living slowly is what I’m all for now. I’m done with burnout. I’m done with the hustle culture.

You know what else? The more you say no, the more successful you’ll be. The happier you’ll be too.

Saying no to some of your goals this year will allow you to focus on the most important goals and things in your life.

You’ll be making the most important things a priority, and those important things won’t compete for your time with the less important things.

You can live slower, make more time for things and goals that matter, avoid burnout, and live happier.

So this year, I’ll only do one NEW thing. Everything else I’ve been doing, I’ll do BETTER. I’ll go DEEPER. I’ll SHARPEN the axe.

Because a dull axe requires great strength.

So the ONE thing you must do this year: write down everything you’re NOT going to do. And choose only one to three you ARE going to do.

Maybe it’s painting each day even for 15 minutes. Maybe it’s doing an art challenge each month. Or maybe it’s finishing 10 paintings this year.

Whatever it is, give it a chance by saying NO to other goals.

You may have heard me say this before but: build one bridge at a time.

Don’t be building multiple bridges at once. It’ll take you longer to complete one.

Instead, FOCUS on only one of your goals for this year. And if you complete it early or if you feel like you can add on another goal, then add on another.

F.O.C.U.S. - Follow One Course Until Complete

I hope this gives you more clarity for where you want to go this year with your art. It’s definitely helped me!