Actually I always planned to be rich (make my first million) by the time I was 30. Since that deadline has passed, I’m resetting it to 35 – or the year 2015. If you know anything about goal setting, you know that they need to be S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). I also think it’s important that they are PUBLIC. The more public, the better (did you hear about the new scale that automatically tells all your friends how much you weigh? Same principle).
The “Free by 2015 Challenge” is my pledge to become Creatively Independent by 2015, and an invitation for you to do the same.
Ideally, this means that you will be supporting yourself solely by selling the fruits of your own artistic labor; doing what you love to do and finding a way to be paid for it.
Regardless of your current situation, I believe that this is possible for you, if you start planning and taking action towards your goal. (As of six months ago, I was $8000 in debt – I paid it off by doubling my income.)
To make the most of the experience, I’ve set some guidelines:
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Set your target income (how much you need to live generously)
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What you’re going to do to get there (where the money will come from)
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Rewards for self (how you will celebrate when you achieve your goal)
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Rewards for world (how you will give back and share your success)
The “rewards” are to keep you motivated, and also to make sure your success is shared. The ability to give and be generous is the greatest reward of financial freedom.
Also, dream big. Think of what you believe you could possibly achieve, and then double it. The idea is not to choose something unbelievable, but to stretch your own limiting ideas about how far you can go.
Start from your ideal income, then move backwards and ask “what would I need to do to make this happen? What would my life look like?”
My Turn
1. I want an income of $10,000usd a month, which will allow me to travel freely and be more generous
2. How I’m going to do it
-3 non-fiction books and a series of novels selling constantly on amazon.com (both self-published and traditionally published).
-2 paintings sold a month.
-Prints and products of my art
-Book Cover Designs
3. Rewards for self
1 year world travel. Piano lessons. Scuba Diving/Treasure Hunting in the Philippines. Trekking in Mongolia. 6 months language course in Japan. Family reunion somewhere tropical.
4. Rewards for the world
- $10,000 donation to any charity my readers choose (that’s you guys)
- I will personally bring art and writing supplies for 100 students to 100 schools, anywhere in the world
(chosen/suggested by readers). - Continue to donate 10% of earnings.
Your Turn
Now it’s your turn! Making a strong decision to succeed, planning exactly what you want and the steps it will take to get it, and imagining the benefits of achieving your goal are necessary steps towards the life of your dreams. In addition, by posting your answers in the comments below, you’re making a public statement and social promise that may give you the boost you need to get started. In addition, I encourage all readers to give each other support, feedback and assistance – this will help us all get where we want to go more quickly.
To join the Free by 2015 Challenge, go ahead and leave your comments below and include your target income, strategy for success, reward for self and reward for world. Feel free to link to your sites and talk up your projects.
Try to get your close friends and family involved as well – goals are so much easier with group support. And please subscribe to Creativindie for helpful updates and to track my progress (I’ll also send out feedback, support, motivation, productivity and marketing tips to help you succeed).
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