Happy New Year! It would be an understatement to say that I am not full of excitement and anxiety. This is the year I graduate with my Master’s and move back home to Milwaukee. I’m sure for me and a lot of you reading, 2017 will come with many transitions. Possibly starting graduate school, moving to a new city, or getting a new job. Now is a good time to reflect on our goals and use this year to make productive moves!

Let’s conquer this year!

I recently read an article by James Clear titled, “The Mistake Smart People Make: Being In Motion vs. Taking Action”. Check out this article if you want to actually meet your goals this year. Clear says, “Motion is when you’re busy doing something, but that task will never produce an outcome by itself. Action, on the other hand, is the type of behavior that will get you a result.”

Photo credit: JamesClear.com

During the last semester in the MAM program, students are able to take all elective courses for the final 12 credit hours. I decided to take three practicum courses and one independent study. The practicums align well with my post-graduation plans and the independent study is giving me the chance to explore a passion of mine while earning credit. Columbia practicum courses provide the perfect experience for someone looking to be active instead of in motion. My schedule will be full of music venue management, sponsorship, web development, and event management. At the end of this experience, I will have built out my network, increased my skill set, and made progress on my business.

“Sometimes motion is good because it allows you to prepare and strategize and learn. But motion will never — by itself — lead to the result you are looking to achieve,” shares James Clear.

I’ve also come to realize that both motion and action has its rightful place in life. In an attempt to be prepared for post-graduation, I have been planning my move back to Milwaukee, WI to start my career. For my cohort at least, so many people moved to Chicago to plant their roots. However, it can also be seen as a creative hub to hone your skills and build out a successful creative center in another city. That’s the great thing about Chicago, it can be your landing place or jump off point. I’m looking forward to having a strong network in Milwaukee and Chicago to do music business.

Below are a few points to help plan out your own active year of reaching goals!

1. Set goals. The new year is infamous for goal setting to become a new person. However, goals prove to be a productive guide in making a commitment and making decisions.
2. Choose a program. Columbia College Chicago’s MAM program is perfect for the budding arts manager who wants to expand their skillset. Why are you waiting to further your education? Apply today!
3. Make plans and follow through on your goals. As James Clear said, motion is good but action allows you to get things done.
4. Hold yourself accountable. Sharing your goals with others will encourage you to keep them because you’ve made a commitment to someone besides yourself.

In closing, I want to wish you all a happy new year again! Here’s to setting goals, crushing milestones, and conquering 2017!