Setting Musical Goals in 2023

As we near the new year, many of us are thinking hard about the future and what we would like to accomplish. It can be daunting, and if you’re scrambling to come up with a list of improvements for the coming year that you’d like to make, just know you’re not alone.

There are hundreds of tried and true methods for goal setting, and it’s important to find the method that works specifically for you. Personally, I like the SMART method, which requires goals to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. Keep reading for examples!

Specific

Specific goals pinpoint something you’d like to do. So, instead of saying “I would like to get better at my instrument,” you might say “I would like to accomplish X piece of repertoire” or “I would like to enter into X competition".” This gives you specific guidance to look towards instead of a vague statement to grab onto. This way you have a direction and you know exactly what you’re hoping to achieve.

Measurable

Measurable goals are important because if you were to say, again, “I would like to get better at my instrument",” then it’s unclear at the end of the year whether or not you actually accomplished your goal. What constitutes “better”? So, instead you want to give yourself something measurable to strive for. For instance, “I would like to place 3rd or higher in a competition” or “I would like to practice for 30 minutes per day” would be measurable goals.

Attainable

Attainable goals are sometimes difficult to write down. Humans tend to go one of two ways: to overestimate their abilities or time allotment, making failure inevitable, or to underestimate their abilities or “sandbag” their goals, meaning they will crush them. Either way does you no favors. It’s important to find the sweet spot based on your abilities and what you know you can accomplish vs what will make you stretch a little. Attainability is very personal, so if you’re unsure of what is an attainable goal for you, speak with your instructor about it.

Relevant

Keeping your goals relevant is as simple as it sounds. When formulating your musical goals, make them musical! While I do feel like music is connected to a lot of things, such as drinking enough water, keeping physically active, keeping mentally active, etc., it’s important to keep your goals in line with their category. So, drinking enough water daily wouldn’t be part of your musical goals, but daily practice would be.

Time-Based

Keeping your goals Time-Based gives you a time limit on your achievements. Personally, I like to make my goals “by the end of the year” so that I can break each goal down into smaller steps throughout the months. Some goals, however, require different timelines, such as competition deadlines, etc. Give yourself a timeline to complete your goals by.

Again, there are hundreds of ways to build solid goals for the coming year. The fact that you’re here, looking to improve is such an amazing step towards becoming the flute player you always wanted to be. I’m so proud of you for showing up. Here’s to an amazing 2023!