23 Resolutions
A new year, and decade nonetheless, present an optimal opportunity to reflect, re-assess, and re-calibrate our lives. As you jump into 2010, what resolutions do you have to advance your career?
Below are 23 (my favorite number) proposed resolutions to consider. Obviously, don’t resolve to do all of these! It’s much more helpful to focus efforts on a few, rather than overwhelming yourself with unrealistic expectations and getting nothing accomplished in the end.
- Develop/master a new musical/business skill (as opposed to working on 20 and mastering none)
- Secure a new kind of opportunity
- Invent new “product” to market (concert experience, class, recording, book, service)
- Define and solidify “brand”
- Make a recording/video
- Move forward on a passion project
- Start mapping goals regularly ON PAPER
- Follow the Rule of Five (5 marketing actions per day)
- Create/redesign website
- Begin blogging
- Step up social networking efforts
- Boost web presence dramatically
- Create/update promotional materials (business cards, brochures, bio, resume)
- Generate more media coverage (newspaper, magazine, newsletter, online)
- Begin/expand contact list
- Actively expand profesional network
- Adopt career mentor
- Start new partnership/collaborative effort
- Get (or get rid of) management/record label
- Save for retirement/improve financial standing
- Make budget/keep records of all financial transactions
- Fundraise
- Read more about issues helpful to career (books, magazine, blogs)
When considering which resolutions to embrace, provide specifics. For example, if your goal is (#15) to increase contact list, define how many people should be added, how you plan to do this, and by when. The more specific you are, the more likely a goal will come to fruition.
Of course, having the aspiration alone won’t make it happen. Resolutions are more often abandoned than realized. So buck the trend. Let’s make 2010 a year of unprecedented action!
DEAR READER: So, what are your career resolutions for 2010? Sharing your thoughts in the comments section below will not only make you more likely to follow through, but can help generate ideas for fellow savvy musicians.
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6 Responses to “23 Resolutions”
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DAVID CUTLER balances a varied career as a jazz and classical composer, pianist, educator, arranger, conductor, collaborator, concert producer, author, consultant, speaker and advocate. Dr. Cutler teaches at Duquesne University, where he also serves as Coordinator of Music Entrepreneurship Studies.
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These are great reminders! Thank you!
So David, given my level of skill, amount of support I have from my one AMAZING employee, several AMAZING faculty members for The Institute (TheIAE.com) as well as the PR company, PR Chicago.com, who is working on behalf of The Institute, from your list I have resolved in 2010 to work on the following:
2,4,5,6,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,22 and 23.
That is 15 out of 23 or 65% of your list!
Despite your caution, I really do believe I am prepared enough and able enough to do this. Although I agree with you that the ability to manage a list like this requires experience knowing that you can, and trust that you know your limits so you know when to ask for, or pay for, more help.
I will admit that when I really look at all I have taken on from your list that it does feel like a lot- even for me. But it really DOES make a BIG difference when everyone involved in your project is very invested in helping you achieve your goals and outcomes.
Big projects with lots of moving parts are simply easier to achieve when everyone truly cares that you succeed.
Thanks for the great post David, but you didn’t mention what was on your list?
Knowing how hard you work I am sure it is pretty long list too….
Happy 2010! This decade is going to rock, I just know it!
Lisa
Impressive, Lisa, and I believe you’ll get a lot of it done! It’s amazing what can happen when we have a clear plan, burning passion, and dedicated follow through.
Yes, my list is lengthy…Perhaps I’ll make it the focus of another post…
2009… Hardest year yet as a freelance musician. We are all truly dependent on economic stability for the creation of music gigs…. Much like other jobs… I can relate. Not just gigs but the forwarding of the creation of art in itself. Hard times create interesting art, NO DOUBT! But if there is no stimulation for people to be aware of it… then it is DEAD in the water. The music industry, one that I am more familiar with, is one of those machines that does not exist anymore. They will still want for you to believe that you can make it famous and get a record deal but at a devastating cost to the artist, to which they will never tell you. All of your publishing, rights, and creativity are taken away from you… that is if you even had talent to begin with!!! I say that because of all the disgusting entertainment we can Reality TV… ie American Idol, Next biggest whatever… UGH! REALLY!!! How bad have these shows gotten… ANYWAY. I have been doing quite a bit of research myself these days on how to use the internet to make things much more stable in the artists life. The internet has been around for 15 years + now and we still have NO clue as artists to use it for bigger and better results. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, My Record Label .com, and the enormous amount of new places popping up every day that we can use to market, promote, and SELL our art and work from… and those are just little pieces to the larger puzzle called the INTERNET! That is my Professional Resolution for 2010. To become SAVVY! at using this massive tool to create business flow and profit. Use this massive tool to BRAND myself and continue to make art the way I want to.. not the way someone else TELLS you to. Many blessing to all of the ARTISTS for a safe and happy / profitable 2010. Cheers and GROOVE ON! Bryon Holley / Professional Musician and Wine Expert… Los Angeles, CA.
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Writing these resolutions down is a great idea! I have been feeling very comfortable and complacent in my life lately. In 2010, I would like to start changing things up a bit and challenging myself more. I want to work on resolutions 1,6,10,11,20,21,and 23.
For resolution 1, I want to start doing some lead singing with my rock band, Scraps of Brass. I have been having a blast playing trombone and doing background vocals in the band. Now I am ready to step it up a notch.
For #6 – my passion project – I want to set up a side business that combines my passions of nutrition, music, and Eastern thought. I would like to help people make heathy choices when they are at the grocery store or restaurants. I also want to help them become more fulfilled in other areas of their life through music and meditation. That way, they could use food as fuel rather than as a coping mechanism for their emotions.
For #10 – I plan on blogging for my passion project above. I also want to do more blogging for my piano students. I want to introduce them to a larger variety of musical styles and I would like to teach them a little more about the composers of the pieces they are playing.
For #11, I do plan on eventually joining facebook and putting some of my music on there and on myspace.
For #20, I will definitely put $4000 in my traditional IRA.
I am going to work hard on #21 this year. I need to spend less money on food and I need to be sure that people reimburse me for all of the music I buy.
For #23, I plan on reading a lot about how I can incorporate more creativity into my piano lessons. I want teach my students a lot more about improvisation and composition.