How To Achieve Your Guitar & Ukulele Goals
Many people set New Year’s resolutions in January, and many people don’t stick to them! I have done this in the past myself – more than once!
Why does this happen? Because people set a goal but have no system in place to achieve that goal, or their goal is unrealistic.
Nowadays, when setting a goal, I like to ask myself the following questions:
- Is the goal realistic?
- When do I want to achieve it by?
- What do I need to do to achieve the goal?
- When am I going to do the work required to achieve the goal?
- How am I going to measure my progress?
For example, the goal I set for my Cliff Smith Backing Tracks YouTube channel was to release one video a week in 2024. So 52 videos in total.
Is the goal realistic?
I looked at how many videos I had released on this channel over the last three years:
- 2021: 36 videos
- 2022: 120 videos
- 2023: 15 videos
Considering I managed to release 120 videos in 2022, 52 videos in 2024 seems achievable. I already have 9 weeks worth of videos ready to go, which gives me a head start.
When do I want to achieve it by?
Easy – the end of 2024!
What do I need to do to achieve the goal?
- Research which backing tracks to make
- Make the backing tracks
- Make the artwork
- Make the videos
- Upload to YouTube and optimise for SEO
- Upload to Bandcamp and optimise for SEO
- Add the videos to my website
- Advertise the videos
When am I going to do the work required to achieve the goal?
I did the research already. decided which tracks to make, set a deadline for each track, then scheduled time in my diary to do the work.
How am I going to measure my progress?
I made a spreadsheet with all the backing track titles, ideas and deadlines. I made a Trello board with all of the various stages of work for each track so that I can keep track of where I am. I’ll keep this updated so I know when my deadlines are and if I have met them or not.
That seems like a lot of work, right? It is. But I am very confident that I will achieve my goal or releasing one backing track video per week in 2024, because:
- My goal is realistic based on past performance
- I have a detailed timeline in place
- I have my workflow planned in detail
- I have my workflow scheduled in detail
- I am measuring my progress regularly
That is the difference between a resolution and a strategy. A resolution with no strategy is almost like making a wish – it may come true, but it probably won’t!
You can create a strategy for your own guitar or ukulele goals this year. I can help you to create a strategy, but it is down to you to be realistic with your goal setting and stick to the strategy. Things you may want to work on this year:
- Write your first song
- Learn a particular piece or song
- Learn to play in a particular style
- Learn to read music
- Pass a particular music exam
- Learn to improvise
- Understand keys, scales, chords etc
- Learn to play faster
- Learn to play in time
- Perform in public
If you would like help achieving your music related goals for 2024, please contact me to book your lesson. Lesson fees are here.