Challenges I Tackled in 2018 and How I Benefitted

​At the start of 2018 the challenges I’d set for myself were looking less than appetising.

I had lined up various energy-intensive ‘back-end’ system upgrades as well as a couple of projects that had me leaning out of my comfort zone.

Yet looking back over the year, I can see that I’ve really grown from these challenges and I feel ready to push my comfort zone out even further this coming year.

Here’s what I tackled and how I benefitted:
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Metrics

Financial monitoring {first level post} and monitoring metrics of all kinds was my route to clarity in 2018. 

I got a 100% grip on all the financial aspects of my life and business. It took big investment of time to get everything into place but I now have efficient systems which make staying on top of my finances substantially easier, as well as a sense of empowerment.

Knowing your numbers is not all doom and gloom. If it hadn’t been for my spreadsheets, I wouldn’t have known that this year I more than doubled my income!

Metrics aren’t confined to finance of course. One of the key insights I got as a result of my record-keeping is who’s engaging with what pieces of my content, and where. So I now know which social media platforms I need to focus on in the coming year - and with what content. ​
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Completion

In my last newsletter I talked about how this year I developed some serious staying power for finishing projects. 

I’ve learned to recognise the moment when I need to go into ‘endurance’ mode. 

(If you’re a runner or do any kind of endurance sport, I’m sure you’d recognise this.)
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“OK, this is where it gets hard. I’ve got to pace myself and keep my eye on the prize.”

​Absolutely key to this has been the already-established habit of confining myself to a maximum of three projects (belonging to different areas of my life/career) at once. I then metaphorically put the rest in the pending drawer. 

Using this strategy alongside my endurance sprints, was key to wrapping some seriously hefty and important projects during 2018. I’m planning more of the same in 2019.

The highlights were 

• finishing my Artist’s Book, Metamorphosis
• finally drilling an understanding of SEO into my creative head, and implementing it on my website. 
• reformatting EVERY blogpost on my site and (hopefully) fixing all the broken links which my domain change had left me with. 
• Updating all my eBooks with these new links.

All of these were projects required gritting of teeth over several months and a wearing of virtual blinkers to make sure I didn’t stray off down a much greener-looking path, but they were all SO worth it in the end.

My website feels as tight and seaworthy as a brand new ship, and is already rewarding me with a marked growth in subscribers. And Metamorphosis has brought me a whole new level of recognition and growth in fans of my art.
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Reviews

I know I’m forever banging on about the importance of regularly reviewing our work but I’m the first to admit that I’m not always consistent at practicing what I preach. (Although doing a weekly check-in with my Mastermind partner has helped a ton.)

Because I’ve been efficient about finishing projects over the year means that for once I didn’t end the year with a last minute scramble to get things done. This means that I’ve been able to set aside lots of time for my annual review - which I’ve done throughly and from all angles.

As always, I was surprised to find that I don’t have a real grasp on what I’ve done over the year until I try to write it down in numbers.

Can you believe I’d lost track of how many pieces of art I’d made this year until a question in my review caused me to go through my photo albums?

Objectives

Yes, I know it would have been logical to talk about the importance of setting objectives for projects before reviews. But it was reviewing my photo albums that reminded me of the Make Something Every Week project that I did during the first six months of the year!

I think I’d erased it from my memory because its mission was accomplished. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve with that project, so when I achieved it, I moved on. 

Had I not defined my objectives so clearly at the beginning, I think I would have faffed around going down dead ends long after the project had served its purpose.

Pushing Your Comfort Zone

The flip side of tackling things that feel really, really hard is that they often bring the biggest rewards.

One of my challenges for 2018 was to make a video every month. While I didn’t make my target of 12, I did make 8 videos and rediscover my long-lost love of film.

The response to the videos I’ve made of my work has been heartwarming - particularly on social media - and has given me new insight of how I might better carry over that ‘voice’ into my coaching in the year to come. ​

Filling the Well

Whenever we do a review, it’s inevitable that it won’t only reveal positive things. For me, my downer in 2018 was that it was less than ideal in terms of artistic stimulation. 

I didn’t get to see many exhibitions although I did see some theatre. Particularly in the last part of the year, I don’t feel I’ve had the level of input I need.

Now looking ahead to 2019 and asking myself what art I want to make, I find myself feeling very empty.

It’s clear that well-filling has got to be high on my priority list for the new year and I won’t accept financial constraint as an excuse for not seeking out the inspiration I need. 

A good cultural experience will keep on paying back long after it’s over so it’s value is incalculable.

Sharing the Journey

Finally, my review showed me that one thing that was vital during 2018 was sharing my journey.

I can’t be grateful enough for the fabulous feedback and advice I’ve received, as well as the confidence-building and growth I’ve experienced, as a result of the groups I belong to both as a coach and as an artist. 

If coaching is outside your financial possibilities right now, don’t despair. Find yourself a supportive group whether via Meetup, Facebook or wherever. 

There’s no substitute for the refreshing insight that an outsider’s viewpoint brings to your situation. To say nothing of the fulfilment of being able to offer the same to someone else.

And of course, I've also shared the journey with you - which has been both a privilege and a joy. Thank you so much for accompanying me :)
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What about you? Have you reviewed your year?

Did your year go as you expected?

What surprised you? What did you learn?

Share in the comments!

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