Goal-setting is an important factor in achieving desired results. Without goals in mind, you will be working aimlessly and without a determined future in mind. Most people set goals at the beginning of the year, but you can set them at any time! Here’s our Musician’s Guide to Setting & Achieving Goals.<\/p>\n
Before you begin, ask yourself: Is now the time\u00a0I want to make a difference for my musical career? And if so \u2013 what difference and how?<\/strong><\/p>\n Think of goal setting as if you were driving in a foreign place – you wouldn\u2019t get where you expect to go without a clear set of directions.<\/p>\n This article is designed to assist you in creating a personal roadmap for achieving what you would like with your musical career, whether you consider music your hobby or you are making a living out of it full-time.<\/p>\n I have included a few links throughout from some of the best musician related posts on how to think about and achieve your goals. So, bookmark this long article and refer to it throughout the year!<\/p>\n Many studies have proven that long-term perspective is the most accurate single predictor of upward social and economic mobility in America. And it has been proven that people who have goals written down are much more likely to achieve them, and achieving is what we\u2019re after here.<\/p>\n Here is a list of some areas you may want to focus on. Skip the ones that are not for you and write out each focus area goal.<\/p>\n Branding<\/strong> – Your look, your feel, your image, your health and\/or your pitch.<\/p>\n Marketing<\/strong> – What will you do for your marketing plans<\/a>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Newsletter<\/strong> – Creating and sending it <\/a><\/span><\/strong>12 – 24 times a\u00a0year (1-2 times a month). Also getting the numbers up on your mailing list while flushing out the inactive emails addresses on the list.<\/p>\n Website<\/strong>\u00a0 – Building a new one<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, diversifying your online presence, or re-branding?<\/p>\n Social Networking<\/strong>\u00a0 – When was the last time you tweeted or posted on Instagram<\/a>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Music PR<\/strong> – Getting covered on online outlets<\/a><\/span><\/strong> (blogs, podcasts, websites). Are people talking about you in the blogosphere?<\/p>\n Booking<\/strong> – Touring or local gigs? Maybe a combination of both<\/a>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n CD’s<\/b>\u00a0& Downloads<\/strong> \u2013 How many would you release, distribute, and sell? What is your ideal number? Do you have a distribution plan<\/strong><\/span><\/a>?<\/p>\n Money<\/strong> – How much money would you honestly and realistically like to earn a\u00a0year?<\/p>\n Film and TV Placements<\/strong> – Will you work towards them?<\/p>\n Expanding and Maintaining Your Fan Base<\/strong> – How will you focus on new fan outreach,<\/a><\/span><\/strong> while still acknowledging and appreciating those who have been true fans of yours for years?<\/p>\n Team<\/strong> \u2013 Will you attempt to get a manager or a booking agent?<\/p>\n Time<\/strong> \u2013 How will you manage to balance your time<\/a><\/span><\/strong> to make sure you can focus on your musical goals?<\/p>\n Writing & Recording<\/strong> \u2013 Songwriting or recording an album or EP this year?<\/p>\n Your Instrument<\/strong> – Buying a new instrument or taking lessons?<\/p>\n Personal Health<\/strong> – This is just as important as it helps your performance be better \u2013 exercise, eating\u00a0healthier, etc.<\/p>\n I highly recommend writing your goals neatly on paper or creating a vision board that illustrates them. Use colored pens\/markers\/highlighters or make a collage that brings them to life, and hang them in a place where you can clearly see them every day.<\/p>\n Keeping them in your sights will keep them in your mind and, in turn, keep you in the right mindset.<\/p>\n One of the primary reasons people don\u2019t end up achieving their goals or their new year’s resolutions is they set themselves up to fail. They accidentally choose goals that take a lot of discipline and time to achieve. However, there is nothing wrong with having big goals. Here\u2019s what I recommend to overcome this issue\u2026<\/p>\n Think of a small, achievable goal that only takes four to five hours or so to complete.<\/p>\n Next, set a date for when you will get it done by and go for it.<\/strong><\/p>\n Now that you have achieved a goal within the first two weeks of the new year, the rest of your goal setting will seem a lot more attainable. You have already made an achievement and a step, orienting yourself for improvement.<\/p>\nGoal setting is like drawing a map for yourself.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Mapping Out Your Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Focus Areas \u2013 Creating Order<\/strong><\/h2>\n
STEP 1: Write Down Your Focus Areas<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
STEP 2: Write Your Goals Down<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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STEP 3: Look At Goals Every Day<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Techniques For Achieving Goals<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Start With An Easy Goal And Get It Done<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Choose a simple goal and get it achieved within the next two weeks. This will start your momentum and get you feeling like you are in full forward motion.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Choose something like:<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
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2. Make Lists To Stay On Track<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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