Lessons Learned. Action!

I remember having Rob Zarrilli out on a speaking engagement.  In his introduction he cautioned the audience about conference attendees who take extensive notes, get all charged up and excited, but then get back home and upon returning to work put the notepad in the bottom drawer, never to see the light of day again.

The scary part is, he’s right.  Far too often, the enthusiasm doesn’t carry over to action upon getting back to where the work gets done.

Two days ago in Alabama I put on a “Promoting Your Music Career” workshop in conjunction with the 32nd Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival.  It fueled me as I went through the 90 minutes seeing notes being taken, engaging eye contact from the audience members, and hands being raised with questions.

However, the workshop wasn’t about me, it was about the attendees and content that enables them to be inspired to go get ‘em.

I have often recommended a certain book on songwriting, but even that has the risk of a potential barrier.

Attending a workshop or conference or webinar is one thing.  Buying a book on songwriting is a good step.  But until you take action with your notes or start your reading, what good was the time or money invested?

The key is an action plan.

Goal setting usually only happens as the calendar is changing over to a new year.  But targets can be set any time of year, regardless of the month or specific date.

Don’t put the notepad where you might not look again until the next conference.  Don’t put the book on the shelf amidst others.

Set realistic, attainable goals with a deadline.  Develop a schedule, such as, “I wrote down ten action items at the workshop.  I’m going to do one a week for the next ten weeks.”  Or, “I’m going to read one chapter each week from this new book.”  Similarly, “I’m going to write one new song each week for the next three months.”

Take it all one step farther, though.  Have an accountability partner so that you have to check in with him/her on a regularly scheduled time period, to prevent putting off the tasks you’ve written down.

If you still need further inspiration, look at the others who attended the same workshop and are now making strides in their efforts, or the songwriters who can’t seem to put the pen and guitar down.  It’s a marathon.  Join the race.  Have something to show for your time and efforts once you cross the finish line.