New year, new you? Many people take New Year’s as an opportunity to set new goals and strive for new opportunities, and content creators are no different. This is the perfect time to evaluate, refine and decide on your strategy for 2023. Whether you’re an artist, influencer, photographer, designer, etc., these new year goals for content creators can help any creative get on track for an inspiring, goal-crushing year.
New year goals for content creators
It’s always a good idea to write your goals down, whether in a journal or on a vision board. Having them in some kind of physical form is helpful. Studies suggest that those who write their goals are more likely to achieve them. It’s important to be clear and specific when setting goals and to keep track as you accomplish them. Holding yourself accountable is crucial here.
Setting goals is only half the battle. You have to put effort toward those goals. Continuing to find ways to perfect your craft and get your content out into the world will likely yield the results you hope to achieve.
Show off your work
This one may be obvious but publish your work. Get as many eyes on it as possible. This can be done in person or on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, etc.
A good place to start when it comes to working toward goals may be a project you started but never finished or start a brand new small project. It’s OK to work your way up to those massive achievements, plus you’ll feel accomplished and encouraged by the smaller ones.
Collab with others
Network with other creators … in real life. Whether that’s joining professional networking groups or attending events, it’s helpful to be around like-minded people. Get comfortable with networking online first. Join a Facebook group for people in your field or reach out to a fellow creator in your niche to collab.
Set up a workspace
If you’re a creative that mostly creates from home, it’s a good idea to create a dedicated space within your home. You’ll be surprised at how effective it can be. This is a great way to get away from distractions and in the focused mindset of creation.
Find inspiration
Sure, scrolling social media can be inspiring to an extent, but it can also be harmful. It’s distracting and increases the urge to compare yourself and your work. Look for inspiration offline. Visit a museum, hike, and try something new and adventurous. Try to notice what you’re drawn to and think about ways it can inspire and be applied to your work. A great first step is spending time with nature; there’s a limitless pool of inspiration there.
Pick up a hobby
While you’re in search of that offline inspiration, consider picking up a hobby. Think about something you’re interested in that has nothing to do with your creative work. Giving yourself that other outlet can also garner some inspiration for your creations.
Keep learning
Find some good books to read. Books provide a fresh and potentially creative perspective, which can come in handy when working on projects. You can also learn a thing or two.
Give back
Find ways to volunteer and give back through your creative gifts. For example, volunteer some design work or photography skills to a community organization. Seek out those opportunities and build those connections.
Believe in yourself
Many of these ideas may seem scary, but that’s OK. Courageously stride toward your goals, even in the midst of fear and self-doubt. Don’t allow fear to talk you out of taking that next step, publishing your work, or showing up.
Avoid burnout
People may overlook this, but taking breaks is essential to staying consistent and gaining longevity in your field. Take care of yourself, including your body, mind and spirit. Get enough rest and physical activity and pick up a habit to help ease the mind of stress, such as meditation.
With a rested and refreshed mind, it’s easier to maintain clarity and focus. You’ll never run out of new ideas, and you’ll find ways to optimize your old ones.
Be consistent
Accountability is key, and a good way to hold yourself accountable can be to create a content calendar. Giving yourself a clear plan with strict deadlines can keep you on track to achieving your goals and sticking to your resolutions.
Whenever you can, try to publish your content on multiple mediums in various formats. Some people like to read, while others like to watch, so taking all of that into consideration can prove useful.
We hope these ideas for goals for content creators will inspire you to create your own.