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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Thanks Amy!
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!
Your colorful art journal is beautiful!