This year, the only real goal I’m setting for myself in terms of work is to learn to follow through with self-initiated projects and actually adhere to deadlines I set for myself.

I work much better under a little pressure and some constraints, but I have a hard time sticking to those I set for myself. I’ve had so many projects go unfinished and so many ideas I never ended up starting.

This year I’d really like to tackle one project every month and actually finish it in a reasonable amount of time. Of course, If I get really busy with commissions and client work, I will allow myself to set my own projects aside as I still have bills to pay. But instead of starting something and then getting bored and doodling random stuff, I want to actually have more substantial and practical work to add to my portfolio.

And what better way to start on this new goal, than to make a calendar for myself to keep track of said projects and deadlines?? I thought of this idea rather late, so of course it wouldn’t be finished before the new year, but I could at least get the first page done before January.

My specs for this project were fairly simple:

-Basic, clean calendar layout made for standard 8.5×11” paper

-Not too ink-intensive to print, but still some nice artwork to look at

-Animals with the aqua, pink and yellow combo I’ve been really into lately worked in (I settled on a list of Endangered animals to narrow down my choices)

I’ve successfully finished my first project for the new year! Now I can use this calendar for scheduling out all of my client work, commissions, and self-initiated projects~

I’ve gone ahead and made a printable version to add to my Etsy shop if you’d like your own! I’ve also included a blank version where you can fill in the months and days yourself, so it can be used whenever without wasting half a calendar (I’m totally guilty of waiting until March or April to finally replace my old calendars).

Now, on to the next project. Thanks for reading!