Category: Thoughts

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Family Fridays–“Goals–Disappointment or Motivation?”

Pumpkin PatchThis week there was a theme on my blog-–goals. Earlier this week, I observed that as an artist failing to reach a goal can be disappointing and discouraging. In our families, especially as parents, we may experience a similar thing. Having goals and expectations, along with perhaps being perfectionistic with ourselves and our family members, may lead us to feel stressed if the end results are not always what we want. Can’t this actually present additional stress and add to problems rather than lessen them?

Instead of viewing goals as end results that must be achieved, perhaps goals can be set to use as a guide to help us move in the direction that we would like to go…an aid in seeing a vision of our families that we would like to encourage and strive toward. For example, instead of saying my child must make all A’s on their report card, a parent’s goal might be that their child will learn, develop, and gain confidence in their abilities as they grow as a person. Then, our goals become motivation with positive encouragement, regardless of the specific end results. In the end, this may lessen our disappointment and raise our confidence in meeting life’s challenges along the way.

I have not met all of my goals for the week, but I am working in the direction I’d like to go…How about you?

As the fall colors and warm days are here, enjoy the weekend!

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Goals…Discouragement or Motivation?

One of the most difficult things for me to deal with is to fail to meet a goal. Not particularly when I procrastinate and run out of time, or begin but never finish, but whenever I put all of my time and energy into a project, finish it, but fail to get the results I had expected and hoped for. Being a bit of a perfectionist in some things, I usually expect that if I work on something hard enough it will be a success, so when it doesn’t, I have a problem!

Many times in the studio I become discouraged for this reason. In working toward my artistic goals, I often must remind myself of the importance in finding a balance between the artistic expression of an idea and certain end goals, such as entering exhibits and selling pieces. While professional artists engage in many tasks related to running a business, the skills are not always taught in colleges and must be acquired after graduation on their own. So, at times discouragement and self-doubt creeps in and hinders creative and professional development.

Backing Lifeweaving #3
A Studio Goal: Lifeweavings #3, Quilt the Top, Finish Details and Photograph...Enter Into a Juried Exhibit.

As my week begins there are previous projects to finish and new tasks to begin. I plan to turn on music (instrumental, no vocals), focus, and quilt Lifeweaving #3. For awhile I need to push myself to create many art pieces of various sizes, experiment with techniques, and play around with ideas–with less concern about the end goals. Some research shows that this approach results in more creative outcomes than working very slowly on only a few pieces. Perhaps it frees the creative, right-brain processes or just allows for a break and new motivation to continue.

Though disappointing at times, I need to continue working and realize that perhaps not all goals are meant to be met…

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New Beginnings, Renewed Hope

Why is it the beginning of things, such as a new week, a new notebook, or a new school year, can serve to bring us renewed hope? Has life really changed or is it our expectations and attitudes that change? Instead of feeling hopeless and in a rut, do we think of possibilities and believe that new opportunities can occur?

Blog Post
Studio Goal #1: Posting a New Blog Article...

I actually believe it is some of both…while the differences in the new maybe small, the resulting new actions and activities can make a huge difference in our outcomes. For example, with the new week we may reassess our goals and schedules, organize our workspace, and proceed in a different manner, thus achieving different accomplishments. 

Layering Wall Hanging
Studio Goal #2: Layering and Quilting This Wall-hanging...

With a new notebook, looking at a clean, unmarked page of paper may provide an uncluttered space to write down our thinking, thus providing clarity to our confusion. With a new school semester, being around a new group of people, having a new teacher to guide our learning, and considering new subjects and activities may give us new experiences and, thus gaining new confidence that comes from testing our ability to learn new skills.

So beginning this new week with new goals and new expectations, there is renewed hope that the work I do will be of value and the time spent will have new possibilities, results and opportunities…

Backing Lifeweaving #3
Studio Goal #3: Adding the Backing Fabric to Lifeweavings #3, Quilt the Top, and Finish Details and Photographing...Hoping to Enter This Into a Juried Exhibit This Fall.


*What new beginnings help you in your work, life, and/or creative process?