The new year is here. How many of you are thinking 2014 is going to be the best year yet? Most are wondering how you can make this year “your year.”

While the optimism is great, sometimes we struggle to keep that inspiration going. Every new year brings feelings of hope and new beginnings. Design Impact created a list for designers and/or artists to keep the motivation going all year long. In case you didn’t get a chance to see this list, we wanted to share it again.  It has some simple and realistic goals for every designer’s new year’s resolutions.

  1. Check your spelling.
  2. Nourish your creativity with healthy foods.
  3. Ask questions.
  4. Find a healthy balance between digital and analog.
  5. Break some rules.
  6. Find your creative boundaries and step over them.
  7. Learn to manage your finances properly.
  8. Work harder than ever to surpass expectations.
  9. Take more time to just draw.
  10. Learn more about design. (Developers)
  11. Learn to code. (Designers)
  12. Keep your email inbox clean.
  13. Have an online and a printed portfolio.
  14. Deadlines are sacred. Get organized and stay that way.
  15. Always find the simplest solutions first.
  16. Take on the impossible then prove yourself wrong.
  17. Reinvent your style.
  18. Increase the difficulty level.
  19. Be mindful of distractions.
  20. Just be weird sometimes.
  21. Stop hoarding your ideas. Work on them.
  22. Don’t waste time.
  23. Be detailed with your files.
  24. Set realistic deadlines.
  25. Limit your caffeine intake.
  26. Remember to pause and be grateful.
  27. Know when to ask for help. Then, ask for help.
  28. Work with more people you admire.
  29. Learn at least the basics of the creative software that intimidates you.
  30. Be honest about what your time or your talent is worth. Charge accordingly.
  31. Discover non-ironic uses for Comic Sans.
  32. Always carry a notebook.
  33. Always have something to write with.
  34. Take more creative risks.
  35. Be open to every creative opportunity.
  36. Read more books.
  37. Don’t let a day go by without creating something.
  38. Experience something new every day.
  39. Stop chasing perfection.
  40. Don’t give anyone a reason to doubt the value of your work.
  41. Master something.
  42. Take more photos.
  43. Exercise regularly.
  44. Allow yourself time to rest.
  45. Reinvent your style.
  46. Find new ways to use social media.
  47. Do something new with each new project.
  48. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
  49. Network, network, network!
  50. Do more personal projects.
  51. Allow yourself to make mistakes but always finish strong.

Take on all of them or try to commit to just a handful.  It is all up to you as to how to make 2014 “Your Year”.  Good Luck!

Article Source: Design Instruct By Isaac Gube

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