FUEL FOR THE JOURNEY

I don’t love being reminded that the clock is ticking, but I need the reminder. It’s all too easy to just survive each day and not progress towards anything in particular.

We need mile markers on our walk-through life, to orient ourselves, to mark achievements, and to remember we’re actually supposed to be moving towards something, not simply wandering around.

Aimless busyness is a plague. We say if you’re busy, let it be for something.  It’s precisely this that poses a problem when our clients arrive at the vision and goals part of the planning process.

When you’re already down the road, backtracking seems an exhausting task, and many of us feel like it’s too late, or impractical to do so. The reverse is actually true. Nothing fuels the journey like purpose, even if you’re doing things out of order. 

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”

Believe it or not, those are the words of Pablo Picasso. What he describes as a goal; we would call a vision; his “vehicle of a plan” is tantamount to the goals we establish to get you to your vision.  But no further translation is needed, you must believe in and act upon your vision and goals.

Professional artists are often required to write an artist statement which is simply a couple paragraphs about who they are and why they make art. From the outside it seems an easy task, just write down what it is you think you’re doing here and why. 

Few things, however, cause greater stress to art students and professional artists alike. That’s because most of us don’t know what we’re doing or why we’re doing it.

Artist’s statements, like vision statements, can force issues of purpose, identity, and legitimacy to the surface and it can be overwhelming.  Some who struggle in these areas end up with their internal conflicts playing out on the page, becoming messy and incoherent in the process.

We’re here to help you channel your inner Hemingway, to sort through illusions and expectations to help you identify your values. Those values inform your vision, and goals are established to buttress your vision.

If you’re thinking that it’s easier said than done, you’re right. But the work is worth it.