SMART Goals for composers and songwriters. How to write them to increase your motivation and success.

I find New Year's Resolutions to be an interesting topic. I love goal setting and intention setting and seeing what’s possible personally. It works for me and it's good for me. It keeps me looking forward.

I think where people get into trouble with resolutions is when they are completely unrealistic. It becomes a burden to try to go after your goal, because maybe it was too big of a goal, or you are not giving yourself enough time to get it.

You might have heard of SMART goals? I’m a fan. If you haven't heard of this way of setting goals, it is a way that ensures your goal is reachable and that you will know when you get there so you can celebrate! Break down those big vague goals into actionable SMART goals.

SMART goals stand for : 

• S-specific  

• M-measurable 

• A-attainable 

• R-relevant 

• T-time bound

So for example, instead of saying you want to “compose more” in 2025, or “pitch more” etc, which will leave you never knowing if you met your goal…. because what is “more”?

If you rewrite that to be specific you might say:

I will compose, mix and master 2 new instrumental cues in the ____ genre by January 25.

Or if you are a songwriter you could say:

I will write lyrics and chords to a new song with a length of 2:30-3:30 min,  and record a simple phone demo of it by January 15.

When vague goals are swimming in your head, it's hard to know what action to take to make them a reality. Take a moment to write a couple of SMART goals each month. I do this as a part of journaling and it really does keep me moving forward. You can adjust the goal to wherever you are in your journey.

Has anyone ever tried this method or is this a “me” thing?

DM me on instagram if you'd like me to work with you to help you make some SMART goals for yourself.

Enjoy your music journey!

-Chrissy Roberts