Identify, what do you want to avoid
Welcome to Part 3 of my goal-setting series for art lovers. This time let’s focus on creating a list of what you want to avoid. Then you can decide, with a clear mind, which path you want to follow. If you didn’t read Part 1 and Part 2, be sure to check them out – and do those exercises too.
This one is particularly important. Because people often set life goals without much thinking about it. And oh so often it happens that later instead of reaching happiness they move closer to the outcomes they’d rather avoid. For instance, an aspiring artist focus all energy on becoming successful and recognized in the art world. Then she, or he, suddenly finds out that this relentless pursuit led to burnout.
Setting goals without taking this into consideration can result in all kinds of unwanted outcomes, like strained personal relationships, massive stress, and even loss of passion.
So, don’t rush here. Take some time to reflect on these subjects. You really want to be clear and aware what you don’t want to happen during this journey toward success. And, as I mentioned before, a pen and paper are your best friends. Or at least tablet with the stylus.
Here are your prompts for today:
Scarcity for me is…
Lack of control is…
The frustrations I want to avoid in life are…
I feel like I’m failing when…
I feel the greatest fear when…
You might want to add other things that are important to you but I didn’t mention. What else you want to avoid in life? It may be for example feeling stuck in a job that doesn’t align with your passions, living in an environment that drains your creativity or staying in toxic relationship. Define them and write it down.
It is very helpful during this exercise to reflect on your past. Surely, you faced some painful situations , which when you think about now, you most likely could have avoid. It is not about making yourself feel guilty (ha, here’s another thing we all want to avoid). The idea is to recognize the patterns in our behavior, decision-making, or thinking that may have contributed to these unwanted outcomes.
This exercise help you align your goals with your values and priorities.
It is also crucial to set boundaries in your personal and professional life. You want to protect your time, energy, and mental well-being. Clear boundaries prevent burnout, resentment, and unnecessary stress.
And finally, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Share your thoughts and concerns with trusted friend or family member. Someone looking at your life from outside can provide you with valuable insights to avoid future potential pitfalls..
Stay tuned for Part 4 – we will discuss maintaining balance in our artistic journeys. And remember, it’s never too late to make changes that align with your true desires and passions.