#yougotdis

Here we are, closing out another year and walking into the new year. Surely we’re all thinking about our resolutions or goals? We sat down with a group of creative peers in our local community to discuss tips for setting goals and even shared a couple of our own. I want to share a few tips with you.

Common roadblocks come up when talking about why goals drop off your radar and become so hard to achieve, or simply disappear:

• Procrastination
• Distraction
• Other Priorities (work, family, life)

And look, I totally understand. I fall into those same “excuses” often. One thing I have to remind myself, and we discussed this in our group discussion is that YOU are just as much of a priority as anything around you. Let’s say for example, you want to further your education in your related industry. Your effort to expand your knowledge ultimately supports your career, enhances your value for your employer, makes you a better equipped individual for a client or team.

Whether you’re setting goals for your career path, personal goals, or maybe a blend of the two, we want you to be successful in accomplishing those goals. Let’s look at five pillars that will increase your success rate:

Set goals that motivate you

Set goals that support a high priority in your life. Without this focus, you can end up with too many goals or goals that drift away. With focus or intention, it creates motivation and drives you towards success.

• Motivation is key to accomplishing your goals.
• Create a value statement

Set SMART Goals

S = Specific
Set a clear and well-defined goal, this helps with your direction. Don’t be too vague here.

M = Measurable
Include data, dates, and anything else that supports seeing your traction in measuring your success.

A = Attainable
Set a goal that you can achieve. If you set the bar too high, you risk demoralizing yourself and possibly scarring your confidence. But be careful to not make it too easy. Set a realistic goal, yet challenging enough to hit that sweet spot — you want to feel like you worked for it for more reward.

R = Relevant
Set a relevant goal that supports the direction you want your life and career to go. 

T= Time Bound
Give yourself a deadline, creating a sense of urgency and achievement comes much quicker. And you’ll also know when to celebrate.

Set goals in writing

The physical act of writing makes it real and tangible. Write your goals down. Put them in places where you can see them, keeping your goals in sight.

Frame your goal statement positively. Example: “I will …” instead of “would like to” or “might”

If you’re a to-do person, make a list of steps to accomplish your goals. 

Make an action plan

This step often gets overlooked. We tend to get too focused on the outcome; we forget the steps to get there. Write down individual tasks – I like to approach this in a reverse-engineered type of way. Once you have your tasks laid out, check them off as you get closer to the end goal. This action will show you that you are getting closer to your end goal and seeing success along the way. 

Making an action plan looks a little like this:

• Identify tasks — what do you need to do to accomplish your goal
• Analyze and Delegate (if you need to arrange resources / outside help)
• Consider space, cash, equipment, and supplies required to achieve your goals.

Learn more about action plans here.

Stick with it

Goal setting is an on-going project. Set reminders to check in with your goal and stay on track. 

Added Tips:

Set appointments with yourself during the week to work on your goal.  This dedicated time with your project allows you to keep your goal in the forefront and a priority, with the added treat of checking off those action items on your list.

Fill your cup. You can’t take care of your work, your family, or anything else outside of you if “your cup is empty”. Set a personal goal this year that allows you to take care of YOU. Examples: Meditate, exercise, go hiking, sip tea and read a book.

Accountability buddies help! If you have someone who can support you in your goal-getting effort, share your process and invite them to check in on you along the way.

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Our goals for 2019, you ask? They are to write more (calendar set for research, writing, visual support) and run more (prepare for a 5k or 8k to start). #igotdis

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What is your 2019 goal? Do you tend to face any challenges when aiming to accomplish your goals? Did you accomplish a big goal in 2018 that you’d like to share? Write us! We’d love to celebrate your accomplishments and cheer you on in the new year.

Hello, friends. Wow, how are we already closing down 2018, and looking right into 2019. What a year, yeah?! We’ve had a full year together – either working together in design and strategies, collaborating on community events, or simply being supportive of each other. We hope your year was as fulfilling and exciting. Here are a few initiatives that we threw ourselves at that are going to carry into the new year:

Client relations and design.

First and foremost, I am beyond thankful for another year in working with amazing clients. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am, who I am… THANK YOU. I’m grateful not only for the exciting projects, but the relationships we build along the way. Also, I am incredibly grateful for the referrals and amazing peers you’ve sent my way. Looking forward to whatever 2019 may bring. 

New ventures.

We’ve launched a couple of exciting new things this year. 

This new venture with brilliant partners caters to screen printing, dye sublimation, and other large format print needs. We hit the ground running with this one. You can check it out on Facebook or Instagram. Website coming soon! 

An exciting addition to Design5sixty4 offerings—inspired by a few conversations, I explored this need to support creatives who are looking to take on their own ventures. We sit down for coaching sessions to create plans that are attainable to encourage success, along with figuring out a price-point to create a livable wage to support the work these creatives are most passionate about. You can read more about it HERE.

Collaboration.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is an amazing collective of artists and creative businesses. Not only is this where you’ll find me operating my business out of, it’s also a great organization to partner with. We are hosting our second annual holiday party and silent ornament auction with our friends at AIGA Colorado. Check out the event HERE.

I’ve also worked with the wonderful staff here and launched an Artist Cafe event, to discuss artist related topics around skills, business, and support for the arts. Learn more HERE.

Speaking of AIGA Colorado —and coffee for that matter— we’ve worked in building up a fun community event and launched Coffee Talk, where we talk about industry related topics to support emerging, in-house, and independent creatives. This is in partnership with the AIGA satellite chapter in Colorado Springs. 

*Cheers to 2019*

Thanks again—everyone—for an exciting 2018. Let’s carry this energy into the new year! We look forward to seeing you and wish you all an amazing holiday season and a happy new year!

Same building, new design studio.

September has been a busy time for us. Between client work on the grid and some labor in a couple studio spaces, Design5sixty4 has moved into a new studio. Still posted up at Cottonwood in Colorado Springs located on the 2nd floor in Studio 228, and with the help of friends, peers in the building, and the Mister, we have a freshly painted, upgraded space for design work and client meetings!

Immediate impact and mood boost—I’m in love with this space because of the natural light it offers. It’s certainly been the biggest thing missing in my life from the previous studio.

Office workers with more light exposure at the workplace tended to have longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and better quality of life compared to office workers with less light exposure at the workplace. Office workers’ physical and mental well-being may be improved via enhanced indoor lighting for those with insufficient daylight in current offices as well as increased emphasis on light exposure in the design of future offices.

NCBI | Impact of Windows and Daylight Exposure on Overall Health and Sleep Quality of Office Workers:

So, with that, I’m extra grateful. Finishing up my first day in the new space, I’m already feeling the boost of energy in the space, there truly is something to having natural lighting in the way of supporting creativity. And at this current moment, I am looking out to the shifting leaves as we transition into fall. I’m also looking forward to those rainy days and upcoming snow days that tend to be my favorite “creative incubator” type of days.

Now, back to it, friends! We have work to do!

Want to check out the new space?

You’re invited! I’ll be hosting an Open Studio on October 5, 2018. Swing on through while you’re checking out the beautiful art in the gallery downstairs for the monthly #FirstFriday events around Colorado Springs!