A BHAG is an essential tool that can help you live out what is important to you in the studio and in life. I battled aimless dithering because I didn’t know what to do when I returned to the studio. Then I discovered the power of creating a BHAG.
It’s time to create a BHAG
October is a perfect time to start thinking about what my studio life could be next year, for two reasons:
1. It allows me to fully focus on my family and enjoying our summertime New Zealand Christmas.
2. I avoid stuffing around when I go back to the studio in late January.
What in the world is a BHAG
What in the world is a BHAG? It is an acronym for Big Hairy and Audacious Goals. Therefore, every year I consider what Big Hairy Audacious Goals would I like to achieve in the next twelve months?
Making a BHAG and reviewing it every year is a tool that helps me live out what I value in the studio and in life.
However, you may find it difficult, maybe impossible, to create a BHAG, IF you don’t know what you value and know your why. Click here to read about that.
My 2023 BHAG
First, I needed to dig deep to discover what my biggest heartfelt desires were for my 2023 studio life.
Accordingly, mine were to get my YouTube channel up and running again, and see my career thrive. Indeed, these were huge aspirations in light of the crazy four years from which I had emerged.
Know your Why
Knowing your why gives you a solid foundation for creating a BHAG. Thereupon, you build the dream or vision of what your studio life could be. Then, you create targets that lead you closer to seeing your vision come to life. Further, you map out incremental steps forward everyday to bring you closer to those targets. The results are powerful.
My why
I believe my desire to create art a gift from the Creator. Furthermore, for my own self-respect, and as a role model to our children and grandchildren, I want to model tenacity and perseverance. Furthermore, one of my core beliefs is that every day is a gift, not to be wasted. Additionally, age is never a limitation on aspirations.
My vision
As a consequence of getting kicked off FB and IG in 2022, because a hacker posted bad stuff, I wanted to restart my YouTube channel as a public platform. Further, I wanted to explore creating engagement on my website. Lastly, I desired to create large artwork to sell in galleries and specific shows.
My targets
My target goals were next. These are sometimes called SMART goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. My eight target goals were:
- Create 52 abstract works for my YT channel by May 2024.
- Create a complete a series of works each month.
- Publish 1 wide form video weekly on YT.
- Create 3 or 4 YT shorts per week.
- Update and redo my website in conjunction with the YT channel relaunch.
- Relaunch Charles Bargue this year. Update the old videos with new intros.
- Enter ILT July 2023
- QAS Art Awards Show in December 2024
October is a great month to review
October is the best time for me to review last year’s (2023) BHAG in preparation for going back to the studio after summer break. Further, in New Zealand, I have more headspace to think properly before the onslaught of year-end activities before the big Christmas summer break.
My review of my 2023 BHAG
- Twenty-five of the 52 target works have been completed or started, and over 20 videos are published. Consequently, I next need to plan creating the remaining 27 works in 2024.
- Making 3 shorts a week diverted too much time from my other aims, therefore I abandoned them. Additionally, working with new mediums and a new style took a lot longer than planned.
- Similarly, making Charles Bargue videos was no longer relevant to my desire to make abstracts.
- I updated and relaunched my website to coordinate with my YouTube channel and showcase my progress.
- Finally, in light of my target of 52 works in 52 weeks, the two targeted exhibitions weren’t doable in the this year. Nonetheless, I’m okay with that.
I will continue to look at what worked and what didn’t and, accordingly, craft my Big Hairy and Audacious Goals for the new year.
No time to make a BHAG?
Creating a BHAG does take time! However, if you don’t have the time right now, I do urge you to take these two steps that will help you in the studio next year.
- Make an appointment time to think about what your values are; and write them down!
- Use your values to craft your why for your art career.
Indeed, doing these two things made a huge difference for me in the studio. Moreover, it will work, likewise, for you.
Once you determine your values and your why, it is, consequently, really straightforward to make your own BHAG.
There are a lot of experts that can help with thinking about what you value and how to find your why. Thus, I’ve posted “Useful Resources” that have helped me in the right column.
The power of small forward steps
My Wabi Sabi derivative works are now complete as a consequence of small steps taken every day. Hence, in real time, I started working on them well over three months ago. Nonetheless, it took that long because life happens. However, making one step forward every weekday, and knowing my why, my vision and my targets, resulted in series of works that I really appreciate.
Furthermore, in early 2024, after my planned big summer break, I returned to look at these works with “fresh eyes” and decided to add more marks to truly complete the collection now known as ‘Moving On’.
Moving On Collection
useful Resources
Click the links below for information.
