How must an artist do to achieve his or her goals?

How must an artist do to achieve his or her goals?
The goal of an artist of course depends on what Art the artist is pursuing and in what the artist is attempting to do or create within this medium.
(e.g. Dance, Music, Painting, etc.).

The achievement for an artist in obtaining his or her goal can be determined by ones self, the opinion of others or a combination of both.
One should determine whether the motivation for the goal is intrinsic (i.e. for self fulfillment, for therapy, etc.) or extrinsic.
(e.g. Performing for others, selling a painting, etc.).
The motivation (and achievement) for a given goal for an artist can of course
also be a combination of both as well.

If the "success" for an artist's goal is intrinsically motivated, the artist should ask him or herself whether he or she feels better and/or whether expression of his or herself via the doing, making or completion of the Art has taken place.
If the answer is "yes" (however subjective or unmeasurable the answer for the artist may be), then the goal for the artist has been met.

If the achievement for the "success" of a goal is extrinsically motivated (e.g. the amount of money earned, the number of people who witness the result of the artistic expression, the positive reviews received, etc.), then it should be able to be measured in a concrete or tangible way or form.
(e.g. How much money was made, how many people showed up, how many paintings were sold, etc.).

Regardless of the artist's motivation in producing his or her Art, results and "success" can often be broken down into achievable, measurable behavioral objectives, each one building upon the success of the other until the goal is met.
(e.g. One must be able to know how to apply the various techniques used in creating a painting prior to selling it, one must know how to sing prior to giving a recital, etc.)

The "success" in achieving the objectives and goals for an artist can be self determined, defined by others, or be the result of a combination of both.
(e.g. An artist may have found great therapeutic value in creating a piece, but likewise it may also be sold for a formidable sum as well).

The goals considered in relation to Art can be regarded objectively (e.g. an artist's craft or technique), subjectively (e.g. how the artist and/or others respond and feel about the work) or even a combination of both, which in regard to the Arts is usually, more often than not I believe the case.
(e.g. The "Mona Lisa" can be admired for both the feelings that it evokes in the viewer, but also for Da Vinci's sublime craftsmanship and innovative techniques which were employed in it's creation as well).

*I've used the word 'success' in quotes since when it comes to Art, I believe the term to be relative.