Goal time.

Over the last couple years, I've really been getting more into and serious about writing down my goals for the up and coming year. These goals tend to get filtrated and outputted into my marketing and business plans. My friend Kris over at Krama Consulting helped me really get this process started last year. It really takes diving into who you are, what you do, and what you want to really start to develop a detailed list. If you want to learn more about Kris' services check these links out:

Becoming Change: http://integralbusiness.blogspot.com/2009/12/telecourse-becoming-change-january-20th.html

Integral Strategic Planning: http://integralbusiness.blogspot.com/2009/12/telecourse-integral-strategic-planning.html

Since photography is such an artistic journey, it took me a few years before I really was able to create a visual style and hone in on who I am as an artist to then turn those into a list of goals in the form of a business and marketing plan.

My goals have manifested in melting both personal and business aspects. Since the photography business is really a lifestyle job they both very much fuse together. I recently read the Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris, and as much as he speaks to the full time corporate person working to create a lifestyle where they work less and enjoy more, there are many aspects of the book that directly apply to a career like mine. Lifestyle design is a huge asset to what this career can offer. You can create a business around what you shoot, what you want, and how you want to live if you do it right.

It's pretty amazing to look back at the goals that I wrote a year ago for this year as it comes to an end and see how many of them have actualized. In retrospect, I feel I could have looked at the plan more often through out the year to keep myself in check, but for the most part most of what I aimed for has been accomplished. This means my goals for 2010, should shoot even higher.

Here are a few categories on my list without going into too much detail:
•Tangible/Immidiate goals- These are goals that goals that take priority that can be checked off a list. For example, my first goal in this category was to move to New York. It took me half the year to find the right timing to do it, but I checked it off the list. Another was to finish my new business cards, which also are done.
•Creative Development- This one is hugely important. It's great to review your own work and see where you want to improve. These are things to constantly be working on to develop my photographic eye and skills. Examples: "Refine production details" work on bringing in more and better production elements into my work. Another: "Building a better rapport with my subjects" Social skills and building a rapport with my subjects is something I feel is very important and that I can always be better at.
Financial goals- I think it's good to set a goal that you want to bring in for the year. This was the first year I did that, and I luckily ended up doing much better.
Travel Goals- Travel is a huge passion of mine and something I value as part of my lifestyle design. These are a bit looser because my desire of destinations have changed due to learning about new places and opportunities. One I can check off the list from this last year is Iceland.
Long Term Development- Other goals that I have that pertain to advertising and editorial work, business development, and maybe things to accomplish in my life, etc. These are ordered in priority. IE: Advertising assignments, my ideal was 6 campaigns for this last year. Another was to develop a new website which is on the way.

These are examples from my goals last year. I have yet to sit down and write them for this year. Many new ones have culminated in the process.

The marketing plan is basically taking this list of goals, and planning out how you will actualize them. What are the methods you will use to attain those goals?

Comments

[Miller Mobley]

Thanks for the post man... I now have a foundation/structure to start writing my own.

[gabe]

Great information Nick. Boone and I just met to reflect on 2009 and look forward to 2010. I like the category breakdowns you mentioned. Thank you.

[Matthew Dutile]

Great idea and break down how to do it. This is something I'd like to start working on myself.

[Brandon]

Thanks! I really needed to hear this...

[therese]

Thanks Nick, you've inspired me to put pen to paper..
Best wishes for 2010

[stephanie mcbride]

Great insight thanks, this applies not only to my photography but to life in general. Been giving this a lot of thought since I read this post. Also big thanks for tweeting the quote by Norman Vincent P. About not building up obstacles...very much needed to hear that! thanks for sharing your wisdom Nick!

[Mark]

Nick, I took the Becoming Change course with Kris and it was awesome! Highly recommmend it.

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