If you want to improve in any area, whether professionally or personally, goal setting is vital. Goals serve as maps to guide us to our destination, and without them there’s no way to know if we’re even headed in the right direction.
The blog article titled “SMARTER Goals For Songwriters” on Indie on the Move, written by Eyvindur Karlsson, a singer-songwriter and songwriting coach, delves into the importance of setting effective goals for songwriters. Karlsson emphasizes that goals act as guides and beacons in a songwriter’s career, transforming dreams into concrete plans.
He introduces the SMARTER framework for goal setting, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time-based, Exciting, and Risky.
Key points from the article include:
- Understanding the ‘Why’ of Songwriting: Karlsson urges songwriters to reflect on their motivations and ultimate aspirations in their songwriting journey. This introspection helps in setting meaningful and personal goals.
- The SMARTER Framework: The article elaborates on each aspect of the SMARTER framework. Goals should be specific and measurable to track progress, actionable with clear steps, relevant to the songwriter’s current life stage, time-keyed with deadlines, exciting to maintain motivation, and risky enough to push boundaries.
- Practical Application: Karlsson uses his own goal of making a living through song licensing as an example. He explains how to make this dream specific, measurable, and actionable, and stresses the importance of setting a challenging yet achievable timeline.
- Breaking Down Goals: The article advises breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, aligning daily activities with these smaller goals to ensure consistent progress.
- Encouragement and Resources: Karlsson encourages songwriters to be goal-oriented and offers a workbook to help them apply the SMARTER framework to their goals.
This article is a valuable resource for songwriters at any stage of their career, providing a structured approach to goal setting that can lead to more focused, productive, and fulfilling songwriting endeavors.
Source: SMARTER Goals For Songwriters
