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5 Ideas for New Year’s Resolutions

by Palle Schmidt 6 Comments

resolution-2015The great thing about the new year is it’s a chance to get some perspective and stop and think for a moment. Look back on the year that went by too quickly and evaluate. What worked and what would you like to change for the new year?

Rather than making some grand resolution like “draw 2 pages every day”, try setting small, achievable goals that build a habit. As my friend Kody Chamberlain put it:

I’ve found that small ongoing adjustments are more effective than attempting a major and sudden change. Try that if you need a ‪resolution.

I’ve made a habit of doing resolutions, not because december 31st is the only day you can make changes and take action – you can do that every day – but because people tend to ask me. And having to answer a question is a good excuse to think.

Maybe you’ve already made a plan for 2015 but in case you’re not sure, here are 5 ideas for New Year resolutions for artists and other creatives:

1: Spend an hour every week cleaning up the clutter around your drawing board and/or office. It’s really easy to get behind on simple things like these, and eventually it can bog down your workflow, having to look for tools or references or just having to work in a mess. Clearing physical clutter cleans out mental clutter as well.

2: Take at least one coffee meeting every month with someone you admire. This could be another artist, a writer or someone completely outside your industry. Someone you have a gut feeling there’s something to learn from. Prepare a few questions but try to be open and curious. Ask about their struggles, their strategies and their workflow.

3: Take a walk every day. Clear your head and get some movement into your joints. As artists and writers, we spend a lot of time sitting down and that hurts our bodies. You don’t have to go to the gym, just walking or doing 15 minutes of exercises and back stretching can really make a diffference.

 4: Get in the habit of asking yourself: Is this helpful? Whenever you’re asked to do something, evaluate if it’s helpful for your overall goal, whatever that is. And every time you get angsty, depressed or start to worry about your story, your craft or if people will like you, stop and think for a moment: Is this helpful? If the mood or your worrying is not helping you produce better art, stop it. Do something helpful instead, like sitting down and getting the work done.

 5: Quit one of your social media platforms. I know this one hurts. But think of the many hours a week you’re spending clicking links from Facebook, scrolling your Twitter feed or liking pictures of art (or cats!) on Instagram. You don’t have to shut down your account, just consider removing the app from your phone or simply don’t go in. We see it as a deserved break in our routine but more often than not, it’s a huge time suck. You’re better off looking out the window for 5 minutes and clearing your head.

This year my personal resolution is to spend the first hour of my work day, EVERY work day,  on my own business. Whether that’s this site, my own comics or that novel I’m working on. Every day I come in to work, I don’t answer the phone or check my email or put out that brush fire. It can wait an hour, surely.

I also believe in the power of commitment, of accountability. So now that I have told you, I guess I have to keep my promise to myself, right?

What’s your resolution? Please share! Maybe there’s an idea someone else can stael to make their 2015 the most productive and epic creative year ever.

 

Filed Under: News, Pro Tips Tagged With: 2015, career, comics, creativity, goal setting, improving as an artist, mind hacks, new year's resloutions, planning, pro tips, productivity, resolutions

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joshua says

    January 3, 2015 at 1:14 am

    My resolution is to spend an hour everyday working on my creative projects and see progress throughout the new year. Great list. Really puts things in perspective.

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    • Palle Schmidt says

      January 3, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      Thanks, Joshua! Hope it works out for you. Remember: Slow still gets you there!

      Log in to Reply
  2. julia says

    January 29, 2015 at 2:30 am

    Yikes! it is January 28 and I am still stilling figuring out how to keep my resolutions going.
    Keeping a journal of what has been accomplished seems to keep the changes/resolutions in sight.
    Yours are good, thoughtful. Number 2 I don’t have as one of mine – it’s a good plan, get new ideas or methods to steal and use.
    Now to go visit that site you mentioned. Happy New Year.

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    • Palle Schmidt says

      January 29, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Happy New Year to you too, Julia! What site is that I mention?

      Anyway, glad you found some inspiration here. I’ve managed to keep my own resolution so far, although some days I have obligations I can’t escape. But just being aware and purposeful about my time helps. In a month it’s probably grown into a habit. That’s the plan.

      What’s your resolution?

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  3. Youtube.Com says

    January 30, 2015 at 12:12 am

    First of all I would like to say excellent blog!
    I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.

    I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I’ve had trouble clearing my thoughts in getting
    my thoughts out there. I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first
    10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out
    how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    • Palle Schmidt says

      January 31, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      I do have an idea, yes. Embrace it!

      No one sits down without any ideas and just bang out great stories and great scripts. A lot of time is spent thinking. The good news is you can do that part anytime and anywhere, so carry a notebook! Then when you sit down to write, start with the snuff you already have planned out.

      If you’re having trouble getting ideas, try listening to this podcast episode: https://comicsforbeginners.com/how-to-generate-ideas-comics-for-beginners-podcast-episode-6/

      Hope that’s helpful! Thanks for your comment.

      Log in to Reply

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