I just finished reading a new post on goals by Derek Sivers (founded CDBaby.com) and it is right in step with the things I have been thinking about and acting on this year. Goals are not about the mysterious and non-existant future, they are about what you can do right now, this moment. In his words,

“You have a goal you’ve been putting off. You want to do it some day. You’ve been meaning to take real action on it, but could use more motivation. Let it go. It’s a bad goal. If it was a great goal, you would have jumped into action already. You wouldn’t wait. Nothing would stop you.”

At the begining of this year I was really depressed. I get that way sometimes. I wrote a post about 2 things I’ve learned about goals this year. Then I said to myself, “What can I do right now. What can I perform right now. What will get me out and performing regularly in the very near future.” So, I chose to select and prepare a program of Sacred Art Songs and Spirituals to perform first at Easter (this program is now available to any audience at a moments notice). As soon as the music was chosen and I could rehearse it, I started compiling and arranging a second program to be performed this coming Summer, American Revolutions (also now available). I’ve managed to book at least 5 seperate engagements for the latter so far (city celebrations, concert series, home concerts).

Anyway, what’s the point? Choosing something you can and want to do right now yields results. In 2008 I was on a merry-go-round as far as time management and I ended up feeling hopeless and depressed. Right now, I feel optimistic, largely due to a change in the way I am working and setting goals.

Yes, there is a ‘big picture’ as well, but as Siver’s says, “. . . remember that the daily actions have to be exciting, too. “Speak fluent Italian” may sound nice, but “take Italian lessons an hour a day for two years” has to excite you just as much, or you’ll never stick with it.”

So, my friends, whether you be a singer, composer or fan of music: think about what you can do today, right now: What can I sing right now that will prepare me to be ready to perform in the next two months? Who can I compose a piece for right now that I know will perform it in the future? Who can I invite right now to sing in my home next month (hint hint)? What concerts can I go to this weekend? What friend have I been meaning to write to and would like to this very moment?

Life is great. Carpe Diem!!!