Create and Achieve your Vision, part 3: The How

In the first article of this series, we thought about what we want to achieve. Then, in the second entry, we reflected a little deeper to understand why we want what we want. So far, the most practical part of this exercise has been to write ideas down, you haven't had to stand up from the couch just yet.

Now, however, we have arrived to the point where the vast majority of people get stuck: the how. How can we get to where we want to get? What do we need? Where and how to start? The questions and the uncertainty can easily overwhelm you.

The first thing that we need to do is to step back, breathe, and focus on the elements of our vision. What is there that you need to acquire? What do you need to do in order to acquire those things? You'll be surprised by how frequently a daunting task becomes simple and easy just by paying no mind to anxiety, considering instead the logical steps needed to execute it.

Let's say that your goal is to play at open mics in the next year. What do you need to know in order to do that? Well, for starters, where and when do open mic events take place. You can find the answer to that by searching online, and by visiting venues in your area to look at their boards or programme flyers. Then, you need to assess if the type of music played at the open mic events you found aligns with your own genre and style. This can be done by attending a few of these events as a member of the audience. Doing so will give you additional valuable information, like the mechanics of the event, or how performers approach their set and their audience. Once you've found an event that suits you, you can look into how to get a slot for next time. To do that, you can check if they have guidelines posted online, or speak with the organisers so they can guide you. At this point, you're extremely close to achieve your goal, and all it took was a little scrolling, a little strolling, enjoying some music and talking with people with whom you share a deep love for music.

There's always some sort of fear about finding out what it really takes to achieve something. Anxiety whispers in our ear, saying that we'd better not try because what if it's impossible, what if we can't do it, what if things go wrong, what if our heart gets broken. Although sometimes it's easier said than done, we must block that noise out. By doing our homework, we can find our way. Breaking down tasks into logical steps makes them doable. Even when we can't figure out one of the steps, the question that it produces is bound to be more concise and easy to answer than an enormous, vague question like, "how do I achieve success in music?"

Besides, you are not alone. It's perfectly alright to need help figuring out the how. The music industry is massive, tricky and convoluted; no one expects a newcomer to find their way on their own. You can benefit greatly from the mentoring of someone with industry insights and the experience required to guide you and support you along the way. If you trust me to be that person, good news! I will open individual coaching slots very soon. I’ll give more information about it next time, so be sure to come back next week. In the meantime, you can join the mailing list. Through it, I announce the opening of opportunities like this, so you learn about it as soon as they become available, and I also share exclusive tips that can benefit your music career.