Creating an Action Plan by @schulmanArt, Miriam Schulman
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| What my art journal looks like now… |
My art journal is really starting to evolve.. Although I still use it to make pretty to-do lists ( it is also my Planner Pad, after all) I also have been using it to dig a little deeper. Instead of waiting until the end of the year to reflect, I am choosing to reflect at the end of every month. This month I created an action plan that I want to refer to during the year. I purposely left to places unfilled so I may come up with additional actions during the year I want to take. An action plan is much different than a resolutions plan. A resolution make look like” I resolve to lose 5 pounds” whereas an action plain looks like “count calories” This is a concrete action that I can start and restart whenever I want.
Did I tell y’all that one of the first things I did this year was dump my monthly weight watcher’s plan? Yep! I save $15 every month not paying weight watchers for the complicated etools I wasn’t using. Instead, I invested the money into some great online art and business classes that I AM using. That doesn’t mean I am letting my self go… I did get a free app that my friend told me about called fitness pal that helps me track calories. Exercise has never been a problem for me as I like to get out and go take a group exercise class a few times a week; however, as my family ages, I find that I spend less and less time on my feet. I am in my car, that is for sure, but I no longer have to walk my kids into their schools and places. So although I exercise, I find that I am sitting way too much during the day. Therefore, I decided I needed to make sure I got 20 minutes of outdoor time everyday. This has been easy during all the snowstorms as I just grab a shovel and dig in the snow for 20 minutes until my son gets embarrassed and comes outside to finish the job.
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Other actions I want to keep taking are making plans with friends. Being a work from home-studio artist means I work in solitude during the day and can get isolated. So I want to make sure I continue to make plans to have lunch with friends. This gets me out of the house and social….also gives me a reason to change out of my exercise close and fix my hair.
I also have other work goals I am trying hard to keep in front of me. Sometimes, they slip away… not because I don’t want them…but I get scared. I really want to submit my portfolio to publishers and also get some licensing contracts. However, I know that with acceptance comes rejection. So I am trying to keep the actions, the baby steps I need to succeed in front of me.
Your colorful art journal is beautiful!
Debbie- It is actually my planner pad and I gesso over old pages and sometimes I even apply transparent paint over the new pages! makes keeping track of time fun!
Thanks Amy!
hmmm…I never heard of the Desire Map. I working with Ali Edwards One Little WOrd and also doing List Yourself prompts. Lots of fun and thanks for stopping by!
I'm working through material inspired by The Desire Map in my own art journal as a way to create my future. Love your fantastical bright colors. They should make your plans more vibrant!
Getting outside time by shoveling? That is a novel idea! lol… I am super lazy on that one. I LOVE your art journal. It's gorgeous.
Wow Miriam – this is a great art journal…like the idea that it is your planner too. I have a planner that I purchase every year but am thinking of trying to create my own in the coming year…yours inspires me.