Don’t Trip While Looking Back; This Year in Review

Keen-eyed readers will notice that the 2021 year in review didn’t even happen. Not sure what happened. Here’s a link to the 2020 version. So, basically, I ask myself a couple of questions about the previous year to garner insight into plans and goals for the next. Let’s go!

What Did I Do, Create, Or Experience This Year That I’m Truly Proud Of?

The one thing that sticks out the most is stepping outside my comfort zone by doing an away show for the first time with my art business. The extra logistics of travel, housing, meals, etc., were a first. Thankfully, a friend already doing those things took care of much of that. They have a true talent for it, and it’s greatly appreciated!

Another thing on this list every year in review is creating another series of works. This year was an extensive line of shark tooth/megalodon tooth digital watercolor paintings. Seriously, I did 20 of them in a month! They’ve been well received.

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What Mistakes Did I Make That Taught Me Something? What Lessons Did I Learn That I Can Leverage?

One of the biggest lessons learned this year was to protect my time more vigilantly. Because I live in my studio, I tend to work all the time. It doesn’t add to my productivity but increases the likelihood of burnout. To resolve this, I made a space for downtime. It’s cozy, and all the art-making stuff is out of sight.

Similarly, I saw how throwing bad time and money after good is counterproductive. The sunk-cost loss, as it’s known, is very real. Once I realized I was doing it, I stopped. That’s sometimes harder than it sounds. It seems more straightforward from the outside of the situation. I’m also adjusting my schedule for next year to avoid this problem in 2023.

What Am I Willing to Let Go Of?

A perpetual answer to this question is “imposter syndrome.” I’m getting better at it, but it’s something I can continually improve. A significant step forward was creating a website just for selling my original drawings that don’t have anything to do with my primary art business. It’s for all the other stuff I do.

Finally, 2022 saw a painful personal lesson tied to the markets I sell at. I was getting caught up in the drama, standing up for what was right and calling out wrongs. It’s also about misplaced and unreciprocated loyalties and being taken advantage of. I want to express the lesson, but I can’t give details without giving details. I’m being intentionally vague. 

This in Review Post is Just the Start

This is just the start of the process because it’s an overview, a sneak peek, that I provide every year. My process is much more detailed. I review a year’s worth of notes, business journal entries, a spreadsheet or three, and more.