Third and Goal

[This is part 3 of 4 in a series about a questionnaire I recently answered.]

There is a sea of advice available about goals—how to set them, how to follow through with them, how to avoid them entirely. But I'm not going to wade into those waters today, even though that’s the subject of the third question from Shelley’s questionnaire about Norton Stoneworks:

What are your short, mid, and long-term goals?

To be honest, I'm not an expert on goals. Maybe it’s setting them. Maybe it’s more about the follow-through. Maybe they’re inseparable. Either way, I’ve been trying to lose the same ten pounds for the last twelve years, so...

More than goals, I seek clarity. I have directions I want to move in, work I want to do. I don't have a target dollar amount I need to hit each year, but I do know this: I want to do the best work I can, with the best people, and earn the most I can in the process.

I’m clear on the type of work I want to do. And that clarity guides me far better than any fixed milestone. Answering Shelley’s questionnaire gave me a chance to reconnect with and strengthen that vision.

So here's where I’m headed:

Short Term

• Continue taking on projects with clients who value creativity and natural beauty.

• Further refine my design skills, bringing more of my own vision into client work.

• Find a way to bring my creativity to every project

• Develop deeper clarity around the exact type of work I want to be doing.

Mid Term

• Design and build stone art installations in public spaces.

• Develop multiple revenue streams.

Long Term

• Be recognized as a sought-after stone artist.

• Take on a limited number of high-impact projects each year.

I’m more interested in directions rather than destinations. It gives me room to explore, to grow, and to redefine what success looks like. It’s about the journey, and my aim is to make that journey as creative, fulfilling, and impactful as possible—one stone at a time.

What’s your relationship with goals? Are you all about setting them, avoiding them, or maybe finding your own way forward?