Jobs and opps

How to start the year on a good note and make the most of it

New year, new aspirations, new resolutions. So as the new year lies ahead and we reminisce about the last one, don't just stick to stopping smoking, going on that diet, and the usual suspects. Give a little time to thinking about your practice. How are you going to make the most of the New Year, indeed new decade?

Think back. While you reminisce about the last year, think about your work too. What were the highs and lows? What lessons did you learn? What did you do well at and why? Which bits did you fall down on? Whether it's keeping better up to date with your finance, or re-writing that artist's statement, take a note of which areas of your practice you could work better on. And don't forget to congratulate yourself on the successes too.

Think ahead. Ok, what do you want? What are your aspirations? And if it's easier - what don't you want? Set yourself some targets - but make them realistic. If your goal is too high then break it down. If you want to be applying for £30k public art commissions but don't yet have the experience needed on your CV, then what can you do in the next year to work toward that goal? Setting achievable targets helps you work toward a bigger aspiration - and gives you greater satisfaction along the way.

Get your cash right. Skint after the festive season? Work it back up again. Make sure you know what your costs are going to be and keep a close eye on what's going out and what's coming in. Plan ahead with your finances and set some goals. This way you will know in advance how much you need to make to be able to not only cover your costs, but start to save too.

Put some cash aside. Don't spend all your profit. When a payment comes in, put as much extra money as you can in a different account. If you are self employed you will already be putting some of it aside for tax and NI. With the remainder, open a different account or put it somewhere where you won't easily be able to spend it!

Get feedback. Ask your friends and colleagues their opinion on issues you are unsure about rather than work in isolation. Seek opportunities to access skills development. Set up your own mentor scheme, make a semi-formal agreement with a trusted colleague to meet on a regular basis and review each other's practice. Seek feedback from clients - ask questions.  

Be business savvy. Allocate a regular slot for invoicing and paperwork. Invoice promptly. Make sure your websites are up to date and your statement, CV, and marketing 'blurb' are all sleek and polished. Think at least three months ahead in applying for projects. Check jobs_and_opps regularly. 

Plan and review. Write your targets down. How are you doing? If you don't have a plan how are you going to get where you want to be? How will you know where you went wrong? How will you know if you're ahead of the game? And when you are doing well give yourself a treat.

First published: a-n.co.uk January 2010