As the old business adage goes: "not planning is planning to fail." It's time to get serious about your photography or videography in 2019, with an effective and actionable goal planner. Here's what mine looks like.
I read two business and self-improvement books per month and have done for several years. I'm always on the lookout for themes in these books, and one prevalent theme is planning and goals. Whether it's Rob Moore on money or Angela Duckworth on grit, almost every text cites planning and goals. Using other templates and rules from a variety of resources and books that I have read, here is how I set my goals out.
Some goals are specifically to be achieved in the coming year, some are to be worked at during the coming year.
Conceptual Goals
The Legacy
What do you want be seen as after you've gone? How do you want to be remembered?
The Ultimate Aims
What are your aims at the highest level? (e.g. I want to be a renowned portrait photographer shooting Vogue covers.)
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The Impact
How do I want to impact the world?
Personal Goals
What Are My Strengths?
With regards to your work, what are your strengths?
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How Can I Play to My Strengths?
In what ways could you put your strengths to best use with your photography/videography?
What Are My Weaknesses?
With regards to your work, what are your weaknesses?
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How Can I Improve on My Weaknesses?
Work out at least one way to improve on your weaknesses.
Networking
List 5 ways in which you will increase the size and effectiveness of your network.
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How Will I Improve My Education?
1. Books Read:
2. Courses Taken:
3. Mentorships:
4. Other:
Business Goals
What Do You Want to Achieve This Year?
List 5 goals you want to achieve this year. (e.g. Complete an editorial for a magazine, double the number of new clients.)
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How Will You Work Towards Your Long Term Goals?
List 5 ways you will work towards achieving your ultimate aims and legacy.
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How Will You Strengthen Your Business?
List 5 ways in which you will improve your business. (e.g. Improved profit, more clients, more staff, new services.)
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Financial Goals
What Are Your Aims for the Following Financial Areas?
1. Turnover:
2. Profit:
3. Passive Income:
What Areas Could Use Investment?
List three areas where investment would be prudent. Be especially strict.
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In What Ways Could You Improve Income?
List at 10 ways in which you could improve the amount of income generate by your photography/videography. Do not stop until you have 10.
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Noteworthy Points
This goal planner can be tough to fill out in areas. In multiple sections, you are likely to think "ok, three will have to do, I can't think of five." You must complete at least five for every section, and more if you have them. Some mentors instruct you to write 30 or even 50 ways to improve income, for example.
With the conceptual goals, it is imperative you don't let that little voice in your head try and negotiate you down. If you want to be shooting Vanity Fair parties or on assignment every month with National Geographic, put that down. If you want to make a documentary that changes the world, put that down. These goals are not to be interfered with by logic and modesty!
Copy and paste these goals in to a document, fill them out, then print them off. Author and extremely wealthy self-made businessman suggests reading your goals once when you wake up in the morning and once when you go to bed at night so they are always at the forefront of your thoughts. It's something I will take to doing in 2019.
Good luck for the coming year, and if you're not feeling shy, let everyone know some of your goals or tips in the comment section below!
Lead image by Tim Bogdanov on Unsplash
This is actually a damn good checklist...copied and will use for sure
I need this in a PDF format thank you! lol
Great plan but why on earth do sites for photographers use Unsplash. Surely it should be boycotted and there are thousands of great photos within the fstoppers community.