Oh the dreaded goals...@robgale, I'm sort of like you. I think goals are a great idea, but I totally fight the restrictions that goals place. It's like part of me is afraid I'm focusing on the wrong goal and missing out on something else that would be better. I end up working on three different things, and not doing any of them very well.
I'm trying to keep in mind a saying - something like, if you chase two rabbits at the same time, both will escape.
So, for me, making some decisions (goals) is my goal! I've got to stop wasting time with indecision and excuses, go ahead and keep making art. Avoid getting sidetracked with other stuff.
A good second goal is to change my mindset. Expect that I'll make some awful images along the way, and remember that it's all a learning process. Stop getting stuck with the negative self talk over every bad painting, and keep trying to improve.
@kat "if you chase two rabbits at the same time, both will escape." What a great line, I'm going to hang on to that one too!
Try to use my free time to improve my drawing skill (aim to complete all SVS courses before end of the year) and to be more clear to myself about goals... Keep It Simple Stupid 
wish you all the best 
I went for three tangible, attainable goals, and three lifestyle changes for this year:
Tangible goals:
1.) Get the webcomic that my wife is writing up and running
2.) Finish inking the horror comic that we've been working on (pencils are done, I've just been lazy lol)
3.) Write a short story
Lifestyle goals:
1.) Find more time for meditation and spirituality
2.) Be healthier (diet, exercise, stress management)
3.) Improve artistically
All of which is very attainable in 365 days
Good luck to everyone else on their goals! You've got the time, you've got the desire, just put the focus in and you can do it! Remember to say "no"! Sometimes you have to say no to things that distract you from your goals. It isn't always the fun choice, but if it's taking you away from what you want to achieve, say no!
Later!
These are my goals-
It’s great to see everyone’s goals! It took me a really long time to come up with my own, but I finally got my act together. I’m not including education/svs classes because I am already obsessed with online learning so it’s not something I have to challenge myself to do. I’m always watching something on SVS and I’m signed up for a class on Historical and Nonfiction Illustration with Erin McGuire that starts 1/14.
I’ve been reading up on the idea of the twelve week year where you ignore the calendar year and plan your goals out over a 12 week period. I’m going to give that a shot, so here are my goals for the first 12 weeks of this year.
1.) Create an entirely new portfolio for SCBWI Austin Conference by April (that’s at least 12 new illustrations with no repeats from last year if I can help it).
2.) Participate in SVS monthly contests and post for feedback in the forums.
3.) Finish my book dummy for SCBWI Austin Conference.
4.) Submit to agents (I’m thinking one per week) and send postcards on a schedule (4x this year).
5.) Work on my writing even if it’s only 10 minutes a day.
6.) Maintain my daily yoga practice.
I’m definitely biting off more than I can chew and my illustration class will probably derail some of these, but I like to aim high.
It took me a long time to figure it out as well! Career wise things are going well for me, but I'm working too much and don't have enough balance in my life. This year my goals will be:
-I signed myself up for a "SmartSchool" illustration class that I've had my eye on for years. Excited for it.
-I'm looking at whether I'm ready to settle back in the states. If so I have a lot of career work/job search to do. I'm not expecting to be a full time illustrator. I still love my engineering work too.
-I also have some big health goals. I'm recovering from a knee surgery now and want to get more range of motion and defeat the nagging limp I have.
None are really new years resolutions. Just my current foci.
@thiskatecreates oh Ive heard great things about Smartschool. Please report back and share your progress! Good luck.
So great that all of you are so committed.
My list for 2019:
-More SVS classes. (Especially color)
-Write and illustrate our first children's book with my wife and self publish it
-Continue Dad-Dad strips (get to min. 120 strips by the end of the year) and publish it
Good luck to all!
My Goal for Illustration mainly is to have the beginnings of a portfolio (works) website up before Inktober 2019 starts and have a minimum of 3-4 works that I am pleased with. Then I can go from there.
SVS classes are still in my plans ( I may take a month or two off and work on my current knowldge and practises that I have accumulated over the 1st year subscription) and then continue a new year subscription.
I'd like to find a style or two, I am so overwhelmed with liking so many styles. I like what I like but I like so much. I keep on finding Illustrators I like and adding them to my list, but I am happy I am also removing others that don't work with me anymore. I find I like watercolour illustrators but not because I enjoy working with watercolour, I like their choice colours, their blends and just recently one Illustrators use of angles and perspective.
Traditional mediums I like to work with more are Faber -pencil crayons (rich and bendable), gouache, and inks. Oh and oil in the summer because I have no ventilation in my basement for my art area and the chemicals will no doubt bring on a headache/migraine possibly. Any tips would be great. I love colour and the ability to blend -currently struggling with it in Photoshop.
I have 3 other Goals for my daily life in short 1) Valued Minimalism, 2) Morning Person, 3) Self Care (including such as finishing books, stretching etc. )
Thanks
Let's keep this year a "I will start and I will finish year"!
Great Thread!
My goals for 2019 are;
~ Work on my portfolio
~sign up to SVS (a year sub) and try some prompts
~spend more time with old friends, and make new ones
~ work on self love/care.
I want to get as close as I can to finishing three book projects I have started! They are all at different stages. One-almost done, one at thumbnail/comp stage and one is a music book that needs illustrations. I have a couple more on the deck.
@kat I recently heard someone that said when you say yes to something you say no to something else. My point being you will always be missing out on something because you can't focus and do everything. But work on the things you are most interested in pursuing at the stage your in. I don't regret trying. This past Saturday I tried a few small creative tasks and felt at the end of the day I hadn't actually made anything complete and felt those moments partially wasted. But they weren't. Indecision and not working on anything would have been a waste.
Make goals that matter to you and keep them the best you can.
It took me a long time to figure it out as well! Career wise things are going well for me, but I'm working too much and don't have enough balance in my life. This year my goals will be:
