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November Goals: Building Habits
This article will cover my November goals for my online art business and digital art journey.
October Goals Review: Progress Not Perfection
I made Progress! Going into the month of October I was overwhelmed. My list of tasks for a typical month included:
- Post 12 Blog Posts
- Record 8 YouTube videos
- Take 1 Skillshare class
- and Complete 8 Two-Hour Study Sessions
My calendar was full. I was working all the time, yet barely had time for my art. So I simplified my life to only focus on my goals. The theme of October was to make progress and grow. So, I spent every free moment working on my art. I dove into Digital Hand Lettering practice and completed not 1 but 5 pieces to sell in my Zazzle Store.
Building habits to reach my November goals
Habits are like the backbone of any successful endeavor. They help automate mundane tasks, save mental energy, and create a sense of routine. When it comes to digital art, building consistent habits can mean the difference between sporadic doodling and continuous improvement. Establishing good habits will keep you on track and help you grow as an artist.
When I started this journey, I only made art to serve my other tasks. Need to do a 2-Hour study session? No problem, film a YouTube video. I never drew without filming it too. I never JUST made art. In October, I stopped filming for my channel. Instead, I made art and actually studied new techniques. But I wasn’t consistent. While I drew more often than in previous months, I had not made it a habit. I simply picked up my Apple Pencil whenever I felt like it. In November I am going to change that. I want to build a Digital Art Habit.
How to build a digital art habit
To create a habit you need 2 things: Time Management and Accountability.
Time Blocking
I learned to use time blocks as a way to make time for my online art business. Now I will apply that skill to my digital art journey. Every day I will find time in my schedule to simply draw. It can be brainstorming ideas for a new creation in my sketchbook or finishing touches on a product for my Zazzle store. As long as I find 30 minutes a day to work, I can create a habit.
Habit tracker
A habit tracker is a tool designed to help you monitor and develop new habits by systematically recording your progress. You can use a physical journal with a grid or a digital app tailored for this purpose. Each day, you mark off whether you’ve completed your practice or habit. This visual record not only helps you stay accountable but also motivates you by showcasing your continuous progress. To use a habit tracker effectively, start by listing the habits you want to develop. My habit is 30 min of drawing per day. At the end of each day, simply check off the tasks you’ve completed. Over time, this practice reinforces consistency and helps you build lasting habits.
Building habits isn’t always smooth sailing. There will be obstacles and setbacks. It’s crucial to maintain a positive mindset and not get discouraged. Identify what’s holding you back—whether it’s lack of time, motivation, or resources—and find solutions.
Themes for November Goals
Not wanting to ruin good momentum and progress, November will be a lot like October. I do not want to be overwhelmed with outside tasks again.
digital art journey: Building habits
Practicing digital art and drawing should come naturally to me. I started this journey because art I love art. But once I started, I found that I was making art less and less over time. I want to change that. In November, I want to build a habit that will allow me to consistently indulge my love of making art. Plus this builds on last month’s theme: Progress Not Perfection. As long as I am making art with intention, then I can make incremental progress towards my goal.
Online art business: Zazzle store
I have pivoted my business from a self-hosted website to an e-commerce marketplace. This month I want to add more products to my Zazzle store and build a collection. Along the way, I will also learn about how to sell against direct competitors. My biggest Con against using a marketplace at first was having my competitors be advertised on the same page as my products.
My November Goals
Finally, let’s discuss my November Goals.
Digital Art: Product design
This month, I am going to make my daily practice a habit. Starting with time blocking, I will prioritize digital art in my daily routine. Then, I will track my success. Using a habit tracker will give me a visual reminder to achieve my goal.
“I will track 30 minutes of daily art practice with my habit tracker. This practice will focus on designing products to sell in my Zazzle store. The goal will be accomplished with 5 new listings in the store.”
art business: Product mockups
An important aspect of selling online is the presentation. While watching YouTube videos about print on demand, I learned about mockups. These are photos of your art on products. In the Print on Demand business model, you don’t hold any inventory, which means you cannot take photos of the products you are sending to customers. Mockups help bridge the gap between the art on your iPad and the poster you are selling to Sarah in your online shop.
“I will create product mockups for every design in my Zazzle store and upload them to my listings.”
Building Strong Habits for November goals
Overall, I just plan to keep grinding in November. I am still chasing that first sale and I think my pivot into a Zazzle store is the best option course to get that sale. My goals will help me build up my Zazzle store. I will be adding more products and making them stand out with eye-catching mockups.
