Jan 3rd 1-2-3: Goals, Routines, and Environment
1: Goals, Routines, and Environment ( 2 minute read )
Did you know that Stephen King writes for 4 hours a day everyday?
He is one of the most prolific authors of our time and has written over 65 books. He also has written an astounding 200 short stories. How does he do it?
He has a goal, a routine, and an environment to support it.
Normally when it comes to artistic endeavors, I have big ideas. Then I get overwhelmed when I think of how much it takes to bring them to life. Then I got to thinking about how I complete anything else.
One step at a time.
So this is where you get to ask yourself, what is your goal in art this year?
For me, I have two currently: write my first novel, and to complete the school program for fine art that I am enrolled in. Knowing this helps me to set a routine that would support completion of this goal. In my case, it’s at least four hours of focused fine art study a day, and then writing 1500 words a day.
With that in mind, I can then work out how to set up my environment so that it supports me doing this daily. For me, this means having my iPad open and ready to write, and my drawing goods ready to go on my desk. Both of these environmental changes makes getting into my routine so much easier.
This is something that James Clear talks about in his book, Atomic Habits. “Before you try to increase your willpower, try to decrease the friction in your environment.” This focus on your environment is something we have talked about before, so now we get to combine that with the power of goal setting to create intention with your environment and the time you spend creating.
Going back to Stephen King, he knows he is writing to complete books, and after so many years that goal is a part of his makeup. He knows he is going to write 2000 words a day, even on Holidays with the only exception being emergencies. And he knows that when he writes, he shutting out the world during that writing time, which means door closed, no TV, only him in the world he is creating.
Awesome! So today, we talked about:
The importance of setting a big goal
Breaking that down into a daily, smaller goal
Setting up an environment to make working towards that daily goal frictionless.
I know that I am primed and ready to rock this year, and I am excited to see what putting the work in will produce.
I am most excited to see how this helps you all, and I am hopeful that you all will rock this year as well!
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. Write down your goal, your daily commit, and then how you will change your environment to make it happen!
II. Write down 2-3 sentences on why this goal is important to you, and make sure to read this daily to keep your eyes and feet pointed towards your goal along your daily journey.
3: Inspirational Quotes From Others
I. “I like to set up a structure for myself. I like a routine. I like to be at a certain place at a certain time. Structure helps you to be free.” - David Lynch, Filmmaker
II. “Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” - Twyla Tharp, Choreographer
III. “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” (Implying the importance of consistent effort and focus) - Vincent Van Gogh, Painter
Thank you so much for reading!