Since my eldest child gave birth in 2011, I’ve kept an ongoing Notes section labeled Grandma Activities. Whenever newspaper articles or ads for family fun catch my eye, I record them here. Then I look for opportunities to share these experiences with my now 8, 11 and 13-year old grandkids. Whether it’s making origami shirts out of dollar bills, teaching them how to ‘write’ Ukrainian Easter eggs, or visiting a cave museum with special lights to show phosphorescence, I want to create memories with these children who are so special in my life.
The only outcome I hope for is to catch a look of delight – Will’s mouth agape watching drones fly around Radio City Music Hall during the Christmas Spectacular, Owen’s widened eyes seeing New York City from the 100th floor of the Freedom Tower, or Chloe’s smile when she sewed her first penny rug circles.
So, it was a complete surprise and thrill when Owen said to me last week, “Grandma Jane, I heard about an exhibit of Anne Frank’s hiding place I think you’d want to take me to.”
That moment marked a high point in my life. Years of action-taking, purely for pleasure, boomeranged back in the most unexpected way. My 11-year old grandson initiated a Grandma Activity on my behalf. (We have tickets for 2/14.)
This is what I’ve been waiting for all of my life, and I didn’t even know it.
Which brings me to my decision to NOT set goals for 2025 – a practice I’ve followed for more than 50 years as an entrepreneur.
Using the SMART methodology (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) for goal-setting, I’ve had three books published, successfully changed career directions from teacher to artist to author to professional speaker to coach and back to artist again. I’ve been on national television, traveled coast-to-coast encouraging others to turn their passions into profitable businesses, and been featured regularly in magazines, catalogs and newspapers.
But as you all know, things change: I got divorced. I moved to New York City. COVID. Two hip replacements, broken shoulder and… dare I say, aging. Life looks different in 2025.
While I still intend to earn during this time, I took a solid look at where my sales have come from. It was not from the magazine placements or trade shows I’ve strategically pursued. Rather, they’ve come from long-standing relationships and from demonstrations of my passion via my newsletters and Instagram posts prompting purchases.
Following that logic, my major desire for 2025 is fulfillment.
I created a list of 25 things – a wish list – (click here to read all 25) that will bring me joy this year.
Following the logic of my grandson’s unintended affirmation, my hope is that my excitement, enthusiasm and happiness similarly attract patrons to my work.
If I succeed, what a pleasurable way to sell.
If I don’t, I’ll have lived a joyful year.
Here are five examples of what’s on my calendar in 2025:
1. Attend Liz Alpert-Fay’s opening of her Ordinary/Extraordinary Women series at Silvermine Art Center in June. I’m a muse for one of her 16 larger-than-life rugs – detail below.
2. Hold an open house for my NYC co-op where I’ve lived for 9 years. I’ve not only re-decorated my living room, but also want to meet my neighbors, some for the first time.
3. Attend my 55th College Reunion in May.
4. Sign up for a course at Hunter College next week.
5. Complete my 100 Grid Series throughout 2025.
If you are resistant to setting goals or feel at a loss looking ahead (with good reason), I encourage you to follow my lead. Create your own wish list of what would make you happy and get to work on those items. The world will continue to rotate on its axis. I promise that focusing on what brings you pleasure will be more productive than focusing on what makes you feel powerless.
0 Comments