Goals
I have finished reading 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman, a twist on self-help books in that it doesn’t try to motivate you with big talk, but documents the results from all kinds of the psychology and sociology studies. I used to like reading self-help books until I realized 99.9% of them are bullshit, (The War of Art is still near and dear to me though) but I love reading about psychology. It’s a short read, interesting, and it doesn’t try to hype you up like other self-help books.
One of the exercises in motivation is writing out clear goals for yourself. Explain the why and how, give yourself a due date and a reward. Seemed simple enough, but then suggests to share your goals with friends, family, even a blog if you have one.
I kinda clammed up at that point, and my goal writing became something I’d want others to read. I realized quick that’s deceptive to myself and gave it another rewrite. What did I REALLY want to achieve for 2010?
Overall, I have a list of must-do projects that I’ve mentioned before (FKMT anthology, convention goods) and a couple of personal goals to do this year.
First off, the FKMT anthology, which thankfully has the shortest due date. I can do it because it’s easy stuff left: having to contact Ka-Blam to figure if they can do custom size and trim it to their standards and I can do it between Goodbye Chains updates. I’ll have it uploaded to the printer by at most March 6th though I’m expecting days sooner. Reward: How to Draw Noir Comics (It’s research for Act 3!)
Second one is the Goodbye Chains standalone/convention book. I can do this because reading the script, there’s only a few pages where I’ll be weeping at the difficulty, but it’ll be smooth sailing once those are complete. I’ll be working on several pages a week between GC updates to get this done, and it is due to turn into the printers by June 15th. Reward: catching up on my Japanese collections such as Kongou Banchou, Kaiji, Zero, Akagi, etc.
After that, I concentrate on the other convention goods: the Chick Tract parody, a couple of postcards, a print, and my business cards. I will begin with the book, and work my way down from the most difficult (print, postcards) to the easy. (business cards) These gotta be drawn by September 1st. Reward: cruelly promise myself the iPad when I can afford it. (Probably 2011, lol)
This next one is a long-time dream project–something I’d push out of my things-to-do list because I saw it as something everyone was cool/good enough to do except for me. And that is challenge myself to make an original black and white (with some color) illustration art book. I believe I can do it because illustration work scares the bejeebus out of me, and it would be an exercise in illo layout, different ways to ink, different tools to use to ink (I’d like to make it mostly analog) and hope to learn much from it.
I’ll begin with making idea sketches in my moleskin every morning. By September 30th, I’ll pick 50 or so ideas I like and complete one each week until the end of 2011. I’ll self-publish it early 2012. Reward: upgrade my computer RAM to 16GB.
Finally a more personal, boring, and embarrassing goal for me–but I figure I need to get it out there to stay on track as well: lose 20lbs. Staying active drawing all the time is harrrrd. I’ve been good at keeping a daily morning routine, but I’ve been stuck at the same weight for almost 2 months. I would rotate high intense workout with low intense every other day, but now it’s time to up the ante. Make my high intense higher, and my low intense high. I need to stop being so snacky with the worst snacks, be more mindful how much I eat. I’m going to be fair and give myself til December 31st to lose at least that much. I already have a good thing going, now just gotta stop whining and do it HARDER. Reward: new clothes.
I have other dream goals I’d like to fulfill, but I’ll have that ready to rock next year. Enough on my plate already!
Now, I could just write this, and leave it here and hope no one remembers/notices. But I stumbled onto Jon Schindehette’s lovely blog–this post in particular–and I’m inspired how he has his challenges/goals right there on the side bar as well as at the bottom of every post. I hope he doesn’t mind me swiping it, because it’s an excellent (terrifying) idea.
Tre :: Feb.28.2010 :: Goodbye Chains, books 同人誌, overreacting :: 1 Comment »
Great goals, Tre! I’m totally with you on the fitness one. :\ It’s good to share it though, because it really does keep you on track. You have us all as supporters and I know you’ll finish all these goals. :3c