Goal Setting for Creative Entrepreneurs: A Designer’s Guide to Doing Things We’ve Never Done Before

How to Break Your Big Vision Down Into Doable Steps

Soooo you’re setting out to do something you’ve never done before, and you’re absolutely terrified …

Welcome to the club, sweet friend!

Trying something new is a thrilling, awkward, fumbling mess, and we are SO excited you’re here!

If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve got a quick summary of how this will probably go down:

Step 1: Panic, probably.

Step 2: Get really clear about what you are after

Step 3: Design and edit

Step 4: Develop and finalize

Step 5: Execute

Step 6: Hold your breath and gain honest feedback

In the design world, each of the above steps has defined terms and specific tasks. 

Here at Uncommon, we want to show you how structuring our creativity into a process serves us and, ultimately, our clients! Using both Katie and Sal’s experience in the design and event industries, we’re giving you the full step-by-step guide to Goal Setting for Creative Entrepreneurs!

The best part: you can apply this method to just about any goal! So let’s get into it!

Your Secret Weapon: The Emergency Encouragement Kit!

Don’t leave your comfort zone without it.

Before we get started, let’s make sure you have a few tools ready in your back pocket.

After all, you’re doing something for the very first time. And it is going to be a total piece of cake, you’re going to nail it on the first try, and if it doesn’t work out, you’re an utter and complete failure. 

… See how ridiculous it sounds when someone else says it?! 

Okay! So when you hear the small voice in your head say it (which she unfortunately will!) you’ll have a few things ready for your rebuttal. 

Right now, before anything else:

1. Take five minutes to write down the things you’re most proud of. What have you already accomplished in different areas in your life that make you light up just thinking about them?!

   • I’m tellin’ ya, this simple list will be the perfect go-to when that sneaky self-doubt inevitably creeps in. 

2. Then, take it a step further. Create a go-to playlist that instantly lifts your mood, have a friend you can call for an on-the-fly pep talk, and think of a quick activity you can do to give yourself a small win and keep your momentum going. 

   • Know all the words to your favorite rap song? Let’s hear it! Love organizing? Alphabetize your spice rack or tidy up your nightstand drawer … we’re talking super quick, simple things that help give you a sense of accomplishment and a boost of confidence.  

3. Streamline your everyday tasks so you can put them on autopilot and dedicate more brain power to this new endeavor. Basically, you’re going to do what you can today for who you want to be tomorrow. 

   • Prep a few easy meals to have on hand, put timers on your social media accounts to limit the mindless scroll, or take a note from Steve Jobs and keep your outfits super simple and interchangeable.

If you need an extra dose of Uncommon encouragement, stop by the Uncommon Pep Talk! It’s where Katie, Janie, and Sal spill all of their insights, inspiration, and in-the-moment learning.

Now! Designers ...

How to Turn a Vibe Into a Vision: Concept Design Basics

The Crucial Step Most Creatives Miss

In design, the concept is where it all begins.

Before we make any decisions whatsoever, we craft a rock-solid concept. It’s the process of gaining clarity and defining what the project will look and feel like.

We take everything we know about the project vision, and then we transform it all into a clearly communicated presentation. We come back to this concept statement again and again throughout the life of the project.

Remember: We may be talking about big picture ideas, but we always need to be aware of our project parameters! It’s so easy to get swept up in pretty pictures (especially at this stage!) but keeping time, budget, and space in mind this early will set you up for success down the road. 

In design and event planning, we present the concept to the client for buy-in before we move into the next phases.  

The tools we use: This will require a LOT of initial research, brainstorming, and collaboration to ensure that all of the involved parties are on the same page. 

The concept needs to be defined clearly and supported by: 

• Images

• Descriptions

• Physical material samples when needed

Ready to get the creative juices flowing … but not sure where to start?

• Our top rec: Snag the Mood Board Survival Kit (fo’ free)! It will walk you through how to craft your concept like a total pro.

• Check out concept boards in action in our Christmas in July and Mama Miller Surprise posts!

• Spark some creativity with Studio DIY: DIY Project Tutorials or stop by the Be Encouraged blog, where we answer the age-old question, “What do you do when you’re stuck creatively?”

How you can apply the concept phase to other things:

• Let’s say you’re beginning the home-buying process. This is the perfect time to define what features are most important to you, to research your ideal neighborhood, and to pull images of what you want your home to look like. This is also a great time to consider the pros and cons of hiring professionals to help you in the process.  

• Let’s say, on the other hand, you’re starting to make jewelry and you want to eventually sell it online. The “concept phase” could be when you learn about anticipated costs, research what sales platforms are available, create initial sketches of jewelry pieces, and begin to brainstorm how you can brand your new product.    

Remember: The point of this phase is not to get overwhelmed in all of the details; you can always earmark things to come back to later. The idea is to get started strategically!

Why Schematic Design is Your New Creative BFF

Don’t Skip This Step: Schematics Will Save You Later (Trust us!)

Schematic design is where our ideas really start to take off!

At this point, you have the direction you need to turn your concepts into applied solutions. 

The tools we use: In commercial interior design, this is when we begin construction documents. At the end of this phase, we have a schematic set of drawings graphically showing things like: 

• Floor patterns

• Ceiling layouts

• First draft of drawings for features like custom fireplaces

We also begin to select schematic materials for the building. Again, this is still an earlier part of the process, but all of your focus needs to be on designing specific solutions for specific spaces.

How you can apply the schematic phase to other things: 

• Imagine you’re starting a new learning program. This phase is when you might select the professors you want to have, purchase your supplies, and get a handle on your class schedule and your studying time commitment.

• Or, suppose you’re planning a wedding! The schematic phase is when you’re creating element boards together and honing in on the vendors who can help you achieve the big day you want! If you want more insight into this process, check out our Wedding Planning 101 Blog Post.

• What if you’re making a big move to a new city? By the schematic phase, you’ve already honed in on your neighborhood, and you are thinking about all the things you’ll need when you arrive. When Sal and her husband moved from Milwaukee to Seattle, she created a Google Doc of coffee shops, salons, mechanics, grocery stores, and anything else she could think of. With so many unknowns, doing some prep work meant that there were at least some things she could get ahead of!

Keep in mind: This is probably where you’ll begin to see for yourself how viable your initial concepts are. If - and when! - you realize that something is not working out as intended, do not panic! This is bound to happen at some point, and it is a good thing that it is happening now, rather than later.

Design Development: When Your Ideas Start Taking Shape

Making Smart Design Decisions for Budget and Beauty

Design Development is when you dig into the fine details of the project and things really take shape.

In event planning, this is when we make final product purchases, we finalize schedules with our vendors and on-site teams, we create notes and detailed plans for where and how everything will be assembled on the day, and we gather the supplies we need to create our installations on site. This plan gets presented to the client for finalization, and then it will be time to execute!  

To keep ourselves organized, we use tools like: 

• Google Docs and Spreadsheets to track any and all information we need. You can always scope out our favorite tools in “Let’s Get Organized” or scope out some planners and journals from Chronicle Books!

• For event installations, we sometimes use Google Sketchup! It’s software you can use to build and model just about any space or object digitally.

• For our Uncommon wedding clients, we use our in-house Wedding Guide document, which helps us capture all of the information we need. At this point, that information is all filled in clearly and ready to go!  

How you can apply the design development phase to other things:  

• What if you’re starting a business?! This is when you would be finalizing your business plan, creating terms for suppliers and other partners, and purchasing the equipment and supplies you need to get started. In addition to these logistical tasks, you are continuing to research your new industry and reach out to your mentors for guidance. 

• Let’s say you are having a baby. This would be when your nursery is set, the gifts are getting organized, and your hospital bag is packed. This is also the time to prep anything you’ll hand off at work, because it could be go-time at any moment! You are essentially as prepared as you could be before the big event of welcoming that baby into the world!

Your vendors and other sources are finalizing decisions, so be sure to check in with them throughout this phase. Always make sure that you have buy-in from any fellow team members on the elements that are most important to the overall vision.

Install Day Tips: What to Prep, Pack, and Prioritize

It’s Go Time! Get the Tools You Need

Let’s do the darn thang!

Yup!

This is when the rubber meets the road. You’re putting your ideas into real action now. So take a deep breath, remain flexible, and get excited for this to finally come to life!

Let’s talk event planning! This is when you’re pulling everything together as your guests get ready to arrive!

Here’s a quick pro tip: Do any putsy prep task ahead of time! I hate to break it to you, but the day of an event is not the time to bust open the tedious installation instructions for party decorations!

• Need to assemble your photo booth props? Get those babies set long before anyone arrives!

• Need to move some furniture around? Get everything in place so it’s ready before you need to style your decor!

• Need to give your bathroom a good, clean scrub-a-dub-dub? Great! Get ‘er done early!

To keep ourselves organized, we use tools like: 

• Week of Task List (to keep you organized all week long)

• Cleaning Checklist (so you don’t forget that pesky corner you always overlook - but your guests see right away!)

• Grocery Checklists (what you can pick up, have delivered, and shop for in person)

• Day of Task List (what needs to wait until the big day)

• Helper Task List (to help you delegate last-minute tasks with ease for any early birds!)

All of these downloadable tools are available in Module 7 of Host + Gather, the online party planning master class! Check it out and get the step-by-step guide to hosting like an absolute pro!

The more you can prepare ahead of time, the better off you’ll be.

Think about how much more YOU will enjoy your time on the day of your party. You’ll be so much more open, warm, and welcoming for your guests when they arrive! So prepping strategically is an absolute win-win!

Design Debrief: How to Turn One Idea Into a Repeatable Process

Keep your mind, heart, and ears open to how you can improve!

The debrief is where you’ll get the best feedback! Remember, we are never done learning! We at Uncommon reflect again and again in order to continually improve our performance for future projects.  

The tools we use: 

• We gather honest feedback from our client (either written or spoken)

• We review any project photography for opportunities to improve

• We jot down lessons of our own that we can refer back to next time

How you can apply this phase to other things:  

No matter what your new endeavor is, find a group of people you trust who will provide you with honest feedback. It is so valuable to see things from another person’s perspective, especially when you are trying something for the first time!   

This is where the magic happens! Our professional development is really at its peak in this phase. Plus, our Uncommon client relationships are solidified in this final phase of the process, so don’t overlook how important it is! 

Your Uncommon Encouragement: Goal Setting for Creative Entrepreneurs

In the end, your ideas are yours to bring to life! Our hope is that these insights give you a way to build your own unique framework and give you the confidence you need to really go after your big dreams!

As Chris Pratt says,

“Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it.”

Design on!

The Uncommon Team