A few weeks ago I asked you to write down all of your accomplishments for 2004. The primary reason to do this is that most of us accomplish a whole lot more than we think we do. Your list of accomplishments serves as a reminder that you are moving forward with your art career and personal goals. It may not be as fast as you'd like, but you're not standing still.

Now it's the time of year again to set goals and resolutions. Don't just keep them in your head. Write them down and share them with someone else. This makes them more real and holds you accountable.

I have a couple of tools written for artists to help you with these. Both require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can get at http://www.adobe.com:

1) An Artist's Resolutions -- If for some reason you missed them when you subscribed to this newsletter, you can pick them up at http://www.artbizcoach.com/resolutions.pdf

2) Vision Worksheet -- Breaks down the vision you have for your career into ten categories. http://www.artbizcoach.com/resources/vision.pdf Word version: http://www.artbizcoach.com/resources/vision.doc

After you figure out what you want to accomplish this year, decide what you need to complete each month to get you to your goals. Write those deadlines on your calendar and review them at the beginning of each new month.

Then, what do you need to do each week to reach your goals?

And, finally . . .

What five or ten habits do you need to develop to get you to where you want to be? These can occur daily, weekly or monthly, but it is important that they are consistent. Your list might look like this:

--Send ten postcards each week to new contacts.
--Add five new names each week to mailing list.
--Attend two art events/lectures/openings each month.
--Read one art magazine each week.
--Stay in touch with good patrons--at least one each week.
--Have coffee or lunch with one art contact each week.
--Attend life drawing class each Wednesday.
--Email newsletter or updates on the first Monday of each month.
--Read one business book every month.
--Update Web site on the final Monday of each month.

It's not too late.

KNOW THIS----------~> The little things you do every day--your habits--will make or break your career.

THINK ABOUT THIS---~> Attaining a goal or finishing a project are worthy accomplishments. But habits last a lifetime.

DO THIS------------~> Come up with your list of ten habits you need to develop in order to further your art career. They're not intended to be easy or fun, although most will be. They're part of your business. While you're at it, find an art buddy and support each other in developing these habits. Write down your habits and post them for frequent review.

If you haven't received it already, Six Habits of Highly Successful Artists is a free, six-part e-class. You can enroll at the bottom of this page: http://www.artbizcoach.com

And if you're ready to get organized and set your goals, look into Setting Up Your Art Business, a month-long e-class: http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/settingup.shtml

Portfolio reviews and website critiques are also available.

EBSQ is pleased to publish Alyson's work as a regular feature to the EBSQ Zine.