Devise A Plan Of Action.
Your goal list might look like a plan of action.

Example:
Muriel's goals for 2002.
Take voice over class.
Take acting class.
Make demo tape.
Send demo tape to voice over agents in Los Angeles area.
Attend two networking meetings a week.

This list of goals is Muriel's road map to success.

Be specific and you will have a course of action. Take action and make your dreams a reality.

Set Deadlines.
Deadlines will help you focus your energies. Allow yourself enough time to accomplish your goals. Don't expect changes over night. The important thing is to get started at once.

Share Your Dreams.
Don't keep what you want a secret. If you have specific goals you can share them with others. They may be able to help you reach them or give you an introduction to someone who can help. When you share your dreams, others may have ideas of how you can accomplish them. Be willing to help others with their goals as well.

Ask For Help.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. But don't expect anyone to wave a magic wand and grant you your every wish. You are going to have to work hard to earn the help of others. This includes staying enthusiastic and determined. If you are devoted to your goals, it will be easier to get help from others as well. No one can help you if you are not willing to work hard yourself.

Stay Focussed.
Many goals can be difficult to reach but the problem is usually that we don't devote enough time or resources toward what we want. We get sidetracked. That is the key reason to write them down. You have to be committed to your goals and dreams. After you have your goals/dreams list, post it in a prominent place. Use it to remind yourself of what you'd like to do, what you want to accomplish and where you'd like to go. It will help you keep on your path.

Relentlessly Apply Yourself.
Pick a goal, get started and keep going. Work on your goal every day.

If your goal is to improve your drawing skills, resolve to draw for an hour every day. Pick a time of day, before work or school, after work or school, during the lunch hour, whenever is right for you, and do it. Just like a daily exercise. If you draw every day, you will become a better artist.

If your goal is to meet two new people in the animation industry every week, put yourself in play at industry networking events -- a film festival, a talk at an animation gallery, a college lecture or a software sponsored event. There are many opportunities to meet people in the industry, including organizations such as Women in Animation, SIGGRAPH and ASIFA. There are many sources of help for people who want to break into the animation industry, including this Website. These resources can help you make your dreams reality.

The beginning of the year is a great time to plan what you want to accomplish in the coming year(s). But anytime is a good time to define your goals. Begin now -- make a goals list or dream board and get started on creating the life you want.

I wish you all success and joy in the New Year. May you accomplish your goals and make your dreams come true in 2002.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a career coach and recruiter who speaks at colleges and universities about animation, art and visual effects careers. Her goal is to make a new goal list before the end of January.