Setting Goals for 2023

The New Year is right around the corner once again! It’s wild to look back on the days, weeks, and months that defined the ways we lived, hurt, loved, created and persevered this year. Songs were written and released and each of us made steps forward in our crafts and careers. 

As we look ahead, it’s a great idea to write down goals that are S.M.A.R.T. in nature. And yes, if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile you will be intimately familiar with this acronym. S.M.A.R.T. goals are ones that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. For more information on that definition you can read more here. 

My favorite part of this acronym is the word “measurable.” The business of making art so often deals with non-specifics. We try to write “hit” songs or make “great” art. And sure, that’s the dream. But its hard to make that goal extremely clear. For creatives, discovering other ways of measurement can be helpful. That’s why I advocate for applying numbers where’ve possible. 

How many songs door you want to writer this year? How often would you like to writer? How many new co-writers would you like to attempt to work with? How many songs would you like to have released? How many shows do you want to play and how many tickets do you want to sell? I find that identifying numbered answered to these questions can help us sharpen our focus. 

My wish for you is that you gain a better understanding or S.M.A.R.T. goals and that you set aside some time - in advance of Jan. 1 - to write them down. The hustle begins now!