That is the question?

Are making goals a help or a hindrance? While I agree with some blog writers that by making goals and not achieving them, we only disappoint ourselves, I have to say that I would be completely lost if I had no list of ideas, goals or daily "to do's".

You see, I can't remember what I was thinking two days ago. I need to write things down so that my life's tasks and aspirations make sense to me. However, nothing I record is written in stone, and because an artist's career often involves changing priorities, I revise my goals on a regular basis.

Perhaps my goals work, at least for me, because they are more like "ideas" or aspirations. I don't put a date or number on my goals anymore.  As soon as I decide when and what and how much I will do, life gets in the way. However, it seems good to chart a general course - one that can be modified as I live it.

Yesterday, I did an experiment: I walked from room to room in my home with a clipboard in my hand. While doing so, I recorded every little thing that I either need or want to do. My list ended up being more than 100 items long! But I am not freaking out - rather I am somewhat relieved to have everything down on paper.

The system for getting things done that I respond to best is that of Stephen Covey's - he wrote "7 somethings of effective people" or something like that. I don't look at the cover anymore.  But my point is that as soon as I have everything down on paper, I can then divide these tasks up using Covey's 4 part approach:

Tasks are:
Urgent and Important (things that must get done soon or I'll suffer)
Urgent and not Important (things that seem urgent, but don't really have to get done)
Important (Ongoing tasks that eventually will end up on the Urgent/Important list if I don't do them)
Not Important. (nothing bad will happen if I don't attend to these)

Whenever I use this program, I am amazed at how easily I am able to get stuff done. It works because I can triage my tasks and ignore the ones that don't need my attention - probably ever. Some tasks get resolved on their own... .so no sense obsessing about them. Those that are in the Important ,or Urgent and Important Categories naturally have priority.

Urgent and Important: I need to get writing, editing, and prep for a painting session on Saturday. On the important stuff - I need to look at bills, and invoices, order supplies and such. Another important item: get my next article for Watercolor Magazine written (with paintings) by the end of the month... which is about to become Urgent and Important if I don't make progress soon.  Urgent but not important: cook dinner (well, at least I think so - we can always eat out).  Not important: vacuuming, dusting and making my bed.

Now give me some slack on the housework... I can't be a professional and full time maid in one body.
Someday soon, I hope to hire folks to help me with these tasks so I can do what I love to do.