It’s that time of the year again—Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and my family and I are gearing up to host this year's feast. Turkey and Sweet Potato Pies are on my to-make list, and, of course, my overachieving self contemplates adding more to the menu. But, hold on, isn't turkey and pie totally enough?
Now, how does this relate to singing, you ask? A lot, actually! We singers have a tendency to do too much, striving for too many notes at once and ending up with frustration and a blurry vision. Been there, done that, and I bet some of you can resonate with me.
Let’s break down "doing too much" into a few scenarios:
- "I started voice lessons and practiced for 2 hours the first day, then didn’t practice for the rest of the week."*
- "I'm launching a YouTube page, a weekly blog, a TikTok page, learning 20 new songs, creating a new webpage, losing 20 lbs, learning two new roles, and performing a One-Woman Show—all in one month!"*
Dreaming big is fantastic, but there's an art to achieving those dreams in an attainable way—think small chunks or working backward.
Accepting small chunks can be tough, right? Maybe a small chunk is vocalizing for 5-10 minutes 5 days a week, listening to recordings of the songs you want to sing, or committing to writing a blog with a determined publishing frequency.
But here's the kicker—make sure you genuinely want to do these things. The pressure to set lofty goals based on what "successful" people are doing can be overwhelming. Just because Kelly Clarkson juggles a TV show, a new album, concert prep, and selling designs on Wayfair doesn't mean you have to do it all. Remember, she started on a smaller scale over 20 years ago and now has an incredible team!
You don’t have to follow someone else's path to success. Instead, focus on what you do best, and as my friend Azania Noah recently taught me, do the things that give you energy, not what drains you.
To help you get started, I’m providing a Goal List and Music Goal Tracker Digital Worksheets. Jot down your singing or music-related goals and mark the ones that give you energy versus the ones that drain you. Then, pick your top 3 goals and outline actionable steps with dates for completion.
GOAL LISTS by Shelly Edwards Voice
MUSIC GOAL TRACKER by Shelly Edwards Voice
Let me know your goals! Do these worksheets resonate with you?
Embrace the journey, and remember, finding harmony in your singing goals is just like finding the perfect balance in your Thanksgiving menu—totally achievable and oh-so-satisfying!