Why You Need To Set Goals In Electronic Music
3 steps to achieving results in electronic music
Does setting goals actually work? There’s loads of research on this and a lot of it says it doesn’t.
Take New Year’s resolutions for example. Statistics show that only 8% of Britons have claimed to manage to stick to them.
So why do I write a blog on goal setting if it clearly doesn’t work? Because I believe you’re going about goal setting the wrong way, clearly you’re not alone in this and I want to show you my 3 proven steps to setting goals that translate into taking actions with effect and achieving results in electronic music. But, you need to set your goals wisely.
“Just having a goal set is not a guarantee for your success.”
And it’s important to focus on the effort, not the outcome if you don’t want to fall prey to false expectations, and consequently, give up altogether due to disappointment.
Something many electronic music producers and DJs struggle with when it comes to setting goals for their electronic music career is how to get specific about goals and go over the superficial aspect of the goal and translate it into specific actions.
A great example of that is how to make more time for music.
You could say you’ll free up 2 hours a week to work on your music. You plan to cut back on your Netflix binges or even your time scrolling social media. You schedule in studio time for next Friday by blocking it off on your calendar. Next week rolls around and guess what? You didn’t get to work on your music because something came up.
Sound familiar? Just like those resolutions, that plan didn’t last for long.
3 proven steps to setting goals that translate into taking actions with effect and achieving results in electronic music
I have used these steps time and time again and they have helped me reach goals I couldn't have imagined and replicate that success. Fair warning: this is not a cookie-cutter quick-fix solution to book success! My system is a continuous process which with practice and commitment, deepens the experience and improves the results.
1. Know your why and your values
If you know why you do what you do and understand the values behind it - YOUR values, the essence of what you wish to achieve with your goal, you’re more likely to actually succeed.
There is no point in setting S.M.A.R.T goals, or stepping stone goals, short term goals, long term goals, lifetime goals, or any other type of goals, if you don’t understand the essence of what you wish to achieve.
So ask yourself: What do I want and WHY?
Question your commitment.
Do you really know what drives you to DJ or produce?
What are you hoping to achieve with it?
Is it a hobby, or do you want to go pro?
The following statements are NOT the answers to those questions:
I do it for self-expression/self-healing/for the love of music / because I have to / because there’s nothing else I can imagine doing.
I want to get noticed/become famous (even if I’m afraid this makes me look like an ass) / showcase my skills.
I do it for fun (I couldn’t be bothered if other people listen to it or not).
Because it makes me feel good.
Because I want to have a cultural impact.
Because I want to perform live in front of a crowd.
Because I want to land a record deal.
These reasons are NOT what actually DRIVES you. Even though the above may be true, these are just poorly expressed, vague goals. What I want to know is, what values are you hoping to support?
You need to know what you value the most so that you can stay motivated to work on your music no matter how down you feel, or the kind of day you're having.
Too many of us chase hollow dreams and shallow goals inspired by family, friends, acquaintances, and/or society - often described as "those things every normal human being wants", without asking ourselves if this suits us and comes from within ourselves.
We aren’t encouraged to ask questions - at least not enough. When we don’t know which values and qualities a certain (life)(music)goal will deliver, we are busy chasing goals that aren’t connected to the essence, our essence.
Achieving your goals in itself isn’t a guarantee for your happiness if you don’t know what the essence is of what you wish to achieve with your goals in life. Music is a part of that and every area in your life is intertwined. When one area is lacking, it’ll overflow in another somehow.
So, what do you value the most in life and how does that translate into the goals you set in electronic music? Remember, every area of your life is interwined. If one area is lacking, it’ll show in another. So you might also ask yourself, are you living it to the fullest?
2. Understand what is holding you back
“I’m not good enough”.
How many times have you said this in your lifetime - or some variant of it? There are certain things you tell yourself often on a daily basis, that hold you back from truly doing what you want - making a living in nightlife doing what you love.
You could also call them excuses - excuses NOT to do something. Arguments for your self-imposed limitations to let yourself off the hook easily.
These limiting beliefs are stories we keep telling ourselves and the decisions we make based on those stories that limit the way we live. Deep down you know there’s more you have to offer but it’s like an invisible force is stopping you from thriving in nightlife. That invisible force is probably you:
• My music is not good enough.
• I don’t have the right skills or material. (https://www.theunicornmothership.com/blog/impostorsyndrome)
• I don’t have enough time.
• I lack credibility because I just started out.
• It’s really hard to make money in this business.
We stay hung up on our fear and when others see that, they unconsciously give themselves permission to stay afraid too.
What if you could liberate yourself from your fear so that you can confidently reach for your goals?
In order for that to happen, you have got to change your narrative so that you can do what you love. You deserve that.
The challenge with limiting beliefs is most of us don’t think we have them and they can be really hard to spot.
It all comes down to the same thing: limitations. Limiting your thoughts prevents you from seeing possibilities, hold a space for your creativity to flow freely and daring greatly. There’s always someone else right behind you, seemingly aiming for that same dream and you’ll find yourself quickly distracted by trying to keep up and staying relevant.
3. Focus on what you can control.
The metaphysical text A Course In Miracles - one of the fundamental pillars of my coaching teachings, says, “Perception is a choice and not a fact. The world you see is an outside picture of an inward condition.”
Understanding your own circle of control will help you to effectively and efficiently hone in on the exact actions you consistently need to take so that you don’t feel like you’re running out of energy or time to work on your music and enjoy your life too.
Having a clear understanding of your own circle of control helps you to build resilience so that you can face (moments of) anxiety, overwhelm or worry without letting those feelings control you or run the show AND stay focused on maintaining positive thoughts.
Determining what’s within your control will bring up a lot of resistance. That’s a good thing! Setting goals for your music is only effective when you allow all your objections, concerns and doubts to surface. Once you understand them, you can identify the things you feel you can change, and the things you cannot.
You cannot do #allthethings and be everything for everyone. So focus on what will truly make you feel fulfilled, satisfied and happy.
Say no to things so that you can say yes to the things that matter the most to you.
It is only when you fully and completely ACCEPT what is happening in a certain situation - and that also includes your worries, doubts and objections, that you can also determine at which level you can change something.
And that’s when your actions will truly have an effect. That’s when you’ll take inspired action towards reaching your goals because it’ll be in alignment with how you truly feel.
By setting goals in electronic music, you have a bigger chance to achieve the results you want and make your music fit into your lifestyle more seamlessly without feeling like one thing should make way for the other - like going to the gym or working on your music.
You need to set them wisely by understanding the essence behind everything you do in electronic music and in life, by identifying what’s holding you back and determining what’s within your control. Once you gain clarity on these 3 steps you can be in control of your first, next best step forward.
Let’s continue the conversation!
How will you fit electronic music into your life using the 3 steps described above? Share in a comment below and let me know!