New Year’s resolutions seem tailor-fit to fail. Why? Because, generally, when we set out our goals, we gear up for the big goal: I’m going to finish my novel this year; I’m going to become a self-sufficient artist this year. How many times have you taken a resolution, decided what the end goal will be only to find that 365 days have passed and you realize you are not close to even beginning the project.
As a creative, often we get sidetracked or overwhelmed when thinking about the large projects. Instead we should be concentrating on the small plans, which build to the big. For example, instead of finishing my novel by Dec. 31, my goal (or resolution) should be more manageable, such as “I’m going to write for X minutes each day, 7 days a week.” Make the “X” something manageable. Some days you may not reach X, your daily goal, but it is much more possible to focus on the small portions of a large project.
Maybe one day you’ll be able to steal two hours to paint, which more than makes up for the visit by your Aunt Elda, which put you off progress of your long-range goal. Catching up on an hour of work, focusing on a piece of the pie, is much easier and more positive than the negativity associated with missing an hour or two, derailing your resolution on the way to finishing the entire project. That shift in energy–from a negative outlook to a positive one–can make the difference between your feeling successful about the work.
Happy New Year and best of luck with your creative projects in 2010–I can’t wait to hear about them!
What are some of your creative resolutions for 2010? Mine is to write creatively for at least 30 minutes per day.

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