So, you have written down your goal(s) for the year. And that is an important step – you’re most of the way there if you have actually written them down. But now you need to move from doodling in your harp journal to actually moving forward. Just like you learn music – a little at a time, and beginning with the end in mind! Here are seven ways to get going:
- Be honest – don’t make a harp goal just because I’m leaning on you! Make goals because you want to achieve something in particular, not just because it’s January.
- Make a plan – a real plan. Make sure you know what you need to do, how long it will take, when you will expect to have things done. Use a schedule so you will know you are making progress. If it helps you, make a road map. Or a vision board, or Goals storyboard…it doesn’t matter, so long as you have something you can work with. This will help you keep your eye on the ball!
- Make small steps – in that plan, make sure the steps are small and achievable. If they’re too big (play Carolan’s Concerto?) break it down into bite size chunks so you can actually get there. You know the joke – how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
- Make “tests” so you will actually do the work – we all know that we work to a deadline. No one says you can’t set your own test schedule!
- Schedule a lesson – which will make you practice – just so you don’t embarrass yourself! Think of it as a pop quiz. And the bonus is you’ll learn a lot while you have the lesson!
- Continue to document to keep track of what has happened and what is coming next. Use your phone/laptop/ipad to help you! No, not to watch youtube videos of other people playing the harp! Rather, use the calendar, the recorder, the notepad – all ways to help you keep track and keep moving toward your goal. Or, keep it all in one place and include it in your lesson book/harp journal.
- Get support. No one gets anywhere alone. Enlist the aid of your family, friends and other harpers to help you – to make sure you have time, that you learn what you need to so that you get to the next level, to cheer you on when you have challenges.
By keeping track, you are much more likely to have success in getting to where you want to be – and you can be proud of you progress.