A Designer’s Goals for 2021
As the year is in full swing I start to realize, things don’t change at the pace that I want them to. I realize that what I can be in control of I will do my best to change and the things I am not in control, I let be.
If 2020 taught me anything, it was that you can make life out of what you got. (In other words, “play the hand you’re dealt”). The person who opened up the dream shop of there’s was the same person that lost their job a month prior. The person that lost a loved one was the same person that celebrated the arrival of a newborn. The person that had supportive friends and rallied around them, was the same person that got evicted from their house a few months before.
Beauty from chaos.
Definitely not negating the massive undertaking of a year 2020 was, but there were a lot of good lessons to be learned when reflected upon.
Anyways, onward and upward we go.
I’ve decided to categorize goals this year because it’s a nice way of being more intentional with some as well as inspirational with others. There’s a bit of a flow from habits, to accomplishments, to dreams. I think its okay to have big aspirations that are hard to attain to because they really push you
Accomplishment Goals
- Become a Webflow Expert
I’ve heard there are a lot of benefits about becoming a Webflow Expert and the perks that come along with it so it’s worth pursuing.
2. Make a short film (already in the works)
There is already a project in the works, that is very dear to my heart from a dear friend preparing for departure to a new land. Exciting stuff. Keep your eye’s peeled here. (Youtube channel)
3. Finish all the e-courses I bought and started
The amount of courses I purchased this past year to keep myself occupied was more than enough and I have a lot of them at 85% completion, but I realized its part of a bigger issue I need to tackle and that is: finish what you started.
4. Come out with at least one song (already in the works)
I got together with a close friend of mine last year and noticed how well we jived with the kind of writing we did. So decided to pursue this a bit and we are on route to recording and putting out an album this year which is exciting stuff.
5. Read 24 books (2 books per month)
Already slacking on this one, will hopefully make up some ground, but I’ve noticed how good the disconnect from the digital world is when I pick up a physical book. My goal last year was 12 and I only got around to 10, so I’m going to try to actually make the goal this year.
6. Finish paying off credit card debt + car
This was another goal that I started getting serious about, and although I didn’t accomplish it last year, I made some substantial progress on it as well as made some financial changes that are good habits for the future.
7. Finish updating my portfolio
I feel like I say this one every year…we’ll see if THIS is the year.
8. Sell my first bag of coffee (roastery opening)
Another “new-er” goal but I got the roaster the other day so its on track to actually happening. Discovering specialty coffee a few years ago, has really opened up a lot of doors recently which has been so nice, so I hope to continue to pursue it and see where it goes.
Habitual Goals
- Fast at least once a week
A practice I lost for a few years that I want to restart again. There are so many health benefits to fasting, whether it be intermittent or prolonged. I have included a link to an article on actual benefits of fasting, here.
2. Drink even more water daily
I say even more, because it’s been years since I’ve gotten in the habit of only drinking water, coffee, and tea, but I don’t quite reach the daily goal that is recommended for my age so I have made a habit tracker to make things easier on me to maintain on my Notion dashboard.
3. Wake up and go to bed consistently at the same time
Last year ruined my discipline to go sleep and wake up the same time everyday. I find one of the biggest losses in gaining, focus, time, and control is your sleep schedule. The negative ramifications of lack of sleep are devastating. Sleep is a huge part of how you live, how you function, how you behave and much more. It is indeed very important so treat it as such. I did get a nice memory foam mattress last year so that has helped my sleep tremendously.
4. Read more physical books
Like I had said the accomplishments section, reading physically is something I want to make a habit of because it is such a good break from the digital and brings me back to the physical.
5. Go on more walks / start running
Last year going remote has taught me its so easy to fall into no physical activity and I know I cannot afford that to keep building in my routine, so I have made it a point to put reminders to get off my chair periodically as well as go for walks and when the weather gets better, more running.
6. Master my attention and focus abilities
This one is a big one, but the more I grow up, the more I realize how much of a distracted environment I’m growing up in. Both digitally and physically, but mainly digitally. I deleted almost all apps on my phone, except for one’s I absolutely have to have or one’s that don’t tend to suck away my attention. Then on my computer, I will be setting up a system with a timer that keeps me focused on the tasks at hand. I know this habit will be monumental for me to learn, time-management and focus but I know the pay-off is massive when you decide to focus on the work you are doing. Get more done, better.
7. Write more, both physically and digitally
Hence why I’ve been writing these down and much more on the go. Journalling has always been near and dear to my heart, every time I look back and read my past entries I find such a nostalgia and remember fondly the things I wrote down. A wonderful practice I would recommend everyone to do.
Dream Goals
- Travel to Italy
This one is pending the whole travel restriction ordeal get’s lifted. It’ll probably be another year, but if it isn’t I so want to travel to some place this year, so we shall see if it passes.
2. Purchase a Fujifilm XT4 (production value for youtube)
I sold my camera gear a while ago in hopes to immediately replace it but a few things came along and I’ve been dying to take photos and shoot more films so I hope to have it by the end of the year. No matter what…
3. Work with an amazing brand (Patagonia, Bradley Mountain, Webflow)
This is a dream I think I will always have as a creative. Designing, branding, website development help for any “big name” is a really cool opportunity to be able to have and one I will always welcome. The experience is worth continuing to put hard work into all I do.
Afterword
If you’ve made it this far. Thank you.
It’s just the life of an everyday graphic designer, sharing his thoughts. So I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read about someone else. Just goes to show how caring you are.
If you feel like this resonates with you or helps you in any way, let me know by hitting the “love” button, leaving a comment, and sharing with someone who might benefit from it!
If you want to follow me around like a creep (just kidding) you can catch me on Instagram, Twitter, Behance, LinkedIn, and Dribbble.
I am a freelance graphic design based out of Barrie, ON — check out my website: alexpresa.studio
