January is a popular time for many around the world to set new goals, or revisit those from the past.

It’s a time to dream big... or bigger! The start of the new year is prime time in our quest to make improvements with limitless resources, no holds barred! Or, is that our imagination riding off into the sunset without us, again?

If your eyes are set on the brightest stars, you are likely looking toward your first performances in musical theater, or even a future on Broadway! While this sounds like a fairy tale just waiting to happen, let’s start by planting our feet firmly back on the ground first.

Having big dreams is a wonderful place to start. But Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t write the stunning Hamilton score overnight- or without an intentional plan to achieve such success. Before your imagination reaches another year, or ten, without you let’s make sure that you have your intentional plan in place to achieve your goals. Your goals matter, and you are absolutely worth the planning to achieve them!

A good place to start is to take a spin and look behind you- not just a quick glance. Go ahead, turn all the way around and envision the last year or so. Grab your journal because putting things in writing will not only help you see where you’ve been, but it will help you see what steps you have taken toward any new goals. Our goals tend to build up, particularly when they revolve around the same subject. For singers like us, each step towards growth is significant. Every small achievement in a lesson, performance, every recital, and every callback.

What have you already accomplished? Spend some time really reflecting on this question, and write down even the “little” accomplishments. You will likely find those to be important building blocks needed for the future. Bringing to light those “small and insignificant” accomplishments may be the very thing that comes together to provide your solid foundation as you look ahead.

Reflecting on your growth and yourself as a vocalist may not be the most exciting way to spend an afternoon. But you want to make sure you have taken this step in order to get the most from your next step upward in goal setting, because now you have a solid grasp on right where you are, and it’s time to allow yourself to start to float above ground again. This is the fun part! This next step is where you get to start dreaming of your fairytale goals again!

You may have heard the question, “Where do you see yourself in….”

Singers, where DO you see yourselves next year? In five years? In ten?

You now have the opportunity to decide possibilities for your future. Are you wanting to snag a lead someday in the next big Broadway show? Set your sights on it. Are you wanting to perform for audiences around the world? Claim it! Are you hoping to be the star performer in next year’s school talent show? Start preparing now! There is no goal too big or small for this step in your goal setting. You have desires for yourself- don’t downplay their importance because you aren’t ready “now.”

Instead, ask yourself…

What needs to happen for me to achieve these goals? You may have several, so start with one goal. If your goal is several years out (or ten), try working backwards. Think in terms of “Before I do this, I need to do that.” This may include specialized training, or even meeting the right people to help you step towards your goal. Depending how far out your goal timeline lies, you may have quite a bit or backward planning to do, or you may have a short term timeline to work with- either way, think thoroughly through your ideas and...write them down! That’s right...where did you put that journal down, anyway?

These steps so far are likely ones involving other places and people- even life changing steps, such as moving to a new city.. But now is an appropriate time to consider personal steps you can take. It’s a great time now to take a look in the mirror. Who do you see? What are your strengths? Are you amazing at breathing technique? Perhaps you have a particularly admired skill in performance? You need to be able to recognize these strengths so that they can be built upon. These strengths are simply another layer for a firm foundation, and a firm foundation is key to a confident singer and singing career. By now, you must know what to do next… write it down.

Finally, let’s take a critical, yet constructive look at your areas for growth. You may already refer to these as your weaknesses, but I like to call them areas for growth. This is an important time to be honest with yourself, taking a step back from emotion and pride, and allow yourself to identify skills that aren’t quite up to par. Let me rephrase that and put it in terms of how taking this step will help you reach your long term goals…

What skills are HOLDING YOU BACK?
Which skills need improving so that you can reach your one, ten, and five year goals?
Completing this step will be another step up- another step toward your fairy tale goal. Now, you know the drill...write it down!

If you think that all of this sounds like a lot of work, well, you are right! But it is worthy work that must be done if you truly expect to reach those brightest stars. It is work that might take you some time, and that is okay. If you do this work properly, you will feel like a million bucks because your confidence in having a plan alone will be enough. Whether your goal is intended to be reached next year, or in ten years, your planning is only going to accelerate you forward.

Does this mean your plan and goals are written in stone? Only if you used a stone to do your writing. Don’t be afraid to amend when needed- and this will be needed. This is where you take a step back, evaluate, and readjust to make it exactly what you want. The steps might change, and the end goals may even change. Allow yourself to be flexible. Allow yourself to recognize new strengths and new areas for growth. Coddle those just as you did previously.

Whether your dreams are big or small, Broadway or not, you will be glad that you gave them the attention and proper approach to reaching them that they deserve. Your future is waiting, but be sure to notice (and enjoy) the ride!