My New Year's Resolutions for a Thriving Creative Business in 2024

With the new year approaching, it is easy to feel full of drive and ready to work hard towards our dreams. But this is also a time for self-reflection. We can get stuck wondering how life would be different now if we had stuck to our New Year's resolutions instead of falling off the wagon for one reason or another. Although thinking about all these "could have beens" can sting a little, it can bring our true priorities into focus and shine a light on areas of our lives we crave to grow and explore.

My Resolutions For 2024

I have to admit although I did achieve many of the goals I set for myself to tackle this past year - some other art projects fell by the wayside. So, for the sake of accountability, this year, I decided to start posting my resolution in the open. Now, I'm well aware that plans can take a turn. Life's unpredictable like that, and I believe that it’s okay to change your resolutions as the year unfolds. Goals shouldn't be rigid rules but more like signposts guiding you along. If something isn't working or if life throws a spanner in the works, you can always reassess and shift your approach. Here are the resolutions I'm putting into action:

Making Yourself Visible

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about what I learned from quitting my 15k followers Instagram account and how it changed my views on using social media and building an audience as an artist. This year, I want to take everything I learned and shared in that post and put it into action. Making a point of sharing more of my life and experiences by stepping in front of the camera rather than just posting my art. Whether through social media, my blog, or my newsletter, I want to create a more authentic personal connection with my audience. I believe that being an artist is more than just showcasing your skills; it’s about building a community that resonates with the ideals and experiences we share. And with AI shaking up our industry and leaving so many talented souls anxious about what's ahead, it’s super important that we stick together and lift each other up. 

Prioritise Doing What You Love

This Year, I’m committing to building the habit of dedicating time each day to my craft, refining my skills, and doing more of what makes me truly happy. I believe that creating work you want to see in the world is fundamental to maintaining long-term motivation and passion in what you do. So, this year, I want to focus on this authenticity because it will help make my work as a creator more sustainable. And when we create from a place of genuine passion, it shines through in our work, and that's what really connects with people.

Embrace Experimentation

Trying new things is so important, not just in your art, but in your business too. It's about daring to step out of your comfort zone and finding reliable ways to do things that scare you a little. Maybe it’s using a new medium in your art or trying a different way to share your work online. Sure, not every try will work out. But that's okay! When things don't go as planned, it's a chance to learn, especially how to handle negative feedback. Facing what scares you helps you grow. Every new step, big or small, keeps your art and business fresh and interesting, which helps draw in new clients and keeps your work exciting.

Remember Self-care isn’t Selfish

This year I really want to give a reminder to all of us to take care of ourselves. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial for sustaining the energy and focus needed to run a successful creative business - believe me, I had to learn it the hard way! When you're in good health, you're able to put your best effort into your work. Regular exercise, meditation, and taking breaks can save you from burnout, making sure that you can consistently produce high-quality work and bring the best version of yourself when you engage with clients and your community.

Focus on the Value, Not Just the Numbers

This year I want to not focus as much only on the numbers, like how many likes or followers I have on social media, since these numbers don't always show the whole picture. I know it might feel really important to have a big audience when you run your own creative business, but from experience, I learned that what really makes a difference is the impact and value of what we create, not the numbers shown on your account. When we pour our hearts into making art and resources that truly speak to and help people, we start building a "community" that, even if small, is much more united and valuable than a big fancy number of "followers". A community is special. It’s not just people who follow you. They are people who truly like your work and support you. And in return, you create work that supports and inspires them too. It's like a circle of support and inspiration. It’s these connections that form the heart of a thriving business and make your creative journey so rewarding.

New Year's Resolutions Ideas For Artists

So, that’s my plan for diving into 2024. I'd love to hear about your resolutions. Feel free to post them in the comments, DM me or send me an email - I would love to hear from you. And if you are still working on your list of goals and need some new year resolution ideas, here are a few more you might find inspiring.

Are you ready to make 2024 the year you thrive with your art?

Learn a New Skill or Technique

The art world is always evolving, and so should we. This year, challenge yourself to learn something new. Whether it’s a different style of painting, digital art, pottery, or even a new software tool, expanding your skillset not only adds versatility to your work but also keeps your creative juices flowing. Free online courses, workshops, and tutorials are great places to start.

If you want to get into surface pattern design, you can watch my free video course here!

Create a Series or Collection

Think about making a series or collection instead of just single pieces of art. This means your artwork tells a story or has a theme that goes through all the pieces. This can make your work more attractive to businesses and potential licensing opportunities. It also lets you explore a topic or style more deeply, showing off your unique artistic style. For example, you could create 12 drawings for a 2025 calendar or a set of 8-12 matching designs for fabrics."

Set Up an Online Shop

If you don't have one yet, think about starting an online shop for your art. It's a great way to show your work to people all over the world. You can use websites like Etsy, Society6, Spoonflower, or your own site to sell your art, like prints, original pieces, or things with your art on them. This helps you earn money from your art and lets more people see and enjoy what you create.

I have an entire blog post on how I started selling on Spoonflower if you want to sell your art on fabric and wallpaper.

Regularly Update Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is your visual resume. This year, you can make sure to regularly add your new work to it. Keeping your portfolio fresh and up-to-date is important for attracting clients and opportunities so always pick your very best pieces to include in it. My art school teacher had a saying: 'Show me your best 30 pieces, not just the first 30 you made.' It's tough advice, but it's good advice. Your portfolio is how you show the world what you're capable of, so you want to always make the best impression possible

Practice Mindful Creativity

Finally, make time for mindful creativity. Have you ever tried the idea of an "artist date" from Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way"? It’s a wonderful concept where you set aside a little time each week just for yourself to explore and nurture your inner artist. But here’s the twist – it’s not necessarily about making art. It could be anything that inspires and refreshes you creatively. Maybe it’s a walk in the park, visiting a gallery, or just sitting quietly in a cafe observing the world. The point is to give yourself the space to be inspired and to reconnect with your creativity. Many artists find this practice really rejuvenating, and it often leads to beautiful, unexpected bursts of inspiration.

Need inspiration or a little extra help with your resolutions? Check out this blog post on how to set goals and stay motivated throughout the coming year.

This will be my last blog post for 2023 as I'll be signing off soon to recharge, but I'm cheering for you, whether you're wrapping up the year, working full steam through it all or taking a well-deserved break.

I want to give you a huge thank you for being a part of my journey in 2023. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support. I wish you a wonderful holiday season and an incredible new year, and I can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll do in 2024.