Stop-Start-Continue: How to Plan Your Best Artistic Year Yet
A Fresh Start for Your Artistic Journey
A new year is like a blank canvas—full of potential, fresh ideas, and limitless creativity. But without direction, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of daily life. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, illustrator, or digital artist, setting clear goals and habits can transform your creative practice.
Inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear and The ONE Thing by Gary Keller, this steps guide will help you plan your artistic year using the Stop-Start-Continue method—a simple yet powerful framework to refine your focus and maximize your growth.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Artistic Journey
Before you plan for the future, take a moment to reflect. What worked last year? What didn’t? Self-awareness is key to improvement.
Ask yourself:
What were my artistic highlights of the past year?
What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them?
What habits helped me stay creative?
What distractions or routines held me back?
By analyzing your past, you can make better choices moving forward.
Step 2: Define Your Artistic Identity
One of the biggest struggles artists face is balancing creative expression with practical success. To find clarity, consider the following questions:
What themes, styles, or mediums resonate with me most?
How do I want my audience to perceive my work?
What impact do I want my art to have?
Your answers will help you set meaningful goals that align with your artistic vision.
Step 3: The Stop-Start-Continue Method
This simple framework helps you refine your focus and eliminate distractions.
Stop – Let Go of What’s Holding You Back
Are you overcommitting to projects that don’t align with your goals?
Are social media or negative self-talk killing your creativity?
Are you stuck in routines that don’t serve your artistic growth?
Start – Build New Creative Habits
Can you dedicate time to experimenting with new techniques?
Should you focus more on marketing your work?
How can you structure your day to prioritize creativity?
Continue – Maintain What Works
Which habits already support your progress?
What networking or promotional strategies are bringing results?
How can you refine your creative process for even better outcomes?
Step 4: Set SMART Artistic Goals
The best goals are SMART:
Specific – Clearly define what you want.
Measurable – Track progress.
Achievable – Make sure it's realistic.
Relevant – Align your goals with your artistic aspirations.
Time-bound – Set deadlines for accountability.
Step 5: Use Habit Stacking for Success
James Clear’s habit stacking method helps make new habits stick. Use this formula:
➡️ "After [current habit], I will [new habit]."
Examples:
After my morning coffee, I will sketch for 10 minutes.
After lunch, I will watch one tutorial on new techniques.
After checking emails, I will engage with artists on social media.
Small, consistent actions create long-term results.
Step 6: Block Time for Creativity
Scheduling creative time can help you stay consistent. Identify your peak productivity hours and and use time blocking, example:
Morning (9–11 AM): Focused creative time (painting, sketching)
Afternoon (2–3 PM): Professional development (emails, applications)
Evening (7–8 PM): Skill-building (tutorials, experimenting)
*Adapt time blocking to your behavior and Schedule.
Treat your creative practice like a priority, not an afterthought.
Step 7: Review & Adapt Your Plan
Check in on your progress regularly
Monthly: What’s working? What needs adjustment?
Quarterly: Are my goals still aligned with my vision?
Staying flexible will help you refine your approach and stay motivated.
Final Thoughts: Stay Inspired & Keep Going
🎯 Find an accountability partner to keep you on track.
🎨 Join an artist community for inspiration and feedback.
🖼️ Create a vision board to visualize your dream artistic life.
🎉 Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
Your artistic journey is a continuous evolution. By applying the Stop-Start-Continue method, setting SMART goals, and building strong habits, you can make this your most creative and fulfilling year yet.
"The artist must be true to himself and to his vision, without worrying about the expectations of others."
Embrace your unique voice, commit to consistent action, and create something amazing this year!
Take Your Artistic Journey to the Next Level with See|Me
As you set your goals and refine your artistic vision, remember—you don’t have to do it alone. The See|Me Membership for Artists is here to support you every step of the way.
Join a diverse community of creatives who share your passion, gain access to exclusive resources, workshops, and opportunities, and take your career to new heights. Whether you're looking to expand your audience, improve your craft, or connect with like-minded artists, See|Me provides the tools and network to help you thrive.
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