I’m not sure what it is about big round numbers, but they are kinda captivating. Like this little bit of inspiration – there are about 100 days left in the year! Woohoo!
Then the question is what should you do with them? I mean – come on – just think of all the things you could do with that time!
You could convince yourself that the year’s nearly over so you might as well coast.
Or you could dig out your goals for the year, take their measure, and decide the year is wash and maybe next year you’ll start over.
Or you could dig out your goals for the year, take their measure, and decide that you crushed that and you can cruise until January.
Or you could see that opportunity of having all that time remaining to do more cool stuff. For you. To make even more progress. How great is that?!
So what could you do in 100 days? How about:
1 Commit to learning one new thing each day (doesn’t have to be music, but that’s probably a sure bet!).
2 Commit to practicing every day. Actually practicing. It doesn’t have to be a full blown, formal practice, it could just be for fun.
3 Commit to paying a compliment each day – to yourself.
4 Commit to identifying what you’d like to do in the following 100 days after this (ok, that’s just a nice way to say get a head start on your goals for the next year).
5 Consider making an “activity board” so you don’t get stuck in a rut and can leverage your creativity!
6 Think about what you would do (differently?) if it was the beginning of the year rather than most of the way through it)
You can focus on music (after all, why are you here?) or you could take an even broader view and approach to enjoying the remainder of the year.
Which of these will you do? What did I forget to include? Let me know in the comments!
After too many years working in university administration and dealing with annual HR “performance evaluation” practices, I developed a deep-rooted dislike of formal “goal setting” etc. and all the terminology that goes along with it. But (shhhhhh) this doesn’t mean I don’t actually have “goals”…..I do know what it is I have to do, and I know I need to work on those things but aim to do so without recrimination and stress. Taking up the harp at my advanced age has been an immense challenge — my main “goal”, such as it is, is to enjoy myself which for me *does* mean I need to do the work because just messing around on the harp without progressing technically is ultimately a recipe for frustration and failure. Thanks to my teacher and what she has taught me about how to evaluate my harp playing, I can tell the progress I’ve made. And what’s the result this year? I’m going to buy another harp! As I’m closing in on age 70! I can’t think of bigger evidence of reaching “goals” and setting new ones than that. Ever onward!
💙
Barb wrote a letter to her past and future selves, and allowed me to share it here. Anyone else want to share?
September 17
Dear Barbara,
When you began your harp journey, did you have a clear picture of where you would be fifteen years later?
It was a very impulsive decision, to embark on something without a plan, other than to learn to play the harp. Maybe a plan wasn’t needed yet since it was all so new, even what to do with this new knowledge you were gaining.
Now much time has passed and the road has been impressive. It wasn’t easy to put your shy self in front of a stranger and play, mostly making mistakes and maybe even feeling a bit foolish, during those early lessons.
You needed much patience with yourself but gradually, things began to click and those aha moments became more frequent. You became more accepting of your playing, not to obsess over those wrong strings plucked.
You entered the world of competition, finding that it wasn’t your niche.
You learned much about therapeutic harp, deciding that it was something you were happy to do for family and friends, with love.
You have touched upon arranging tunes, as you have acquired more skills. Creativity was added to the list of talents.
You have attended workshops, meeting other harpers, some like you, many with a greater skill, but all of those people have become friends, people to share harp and this continues to be so rewarding.
You have even begun to overcome your phobia of playing in front of people, sharing your talent in the church setting, playing in special concerts and at services.
This is probably the biggest thing you have learned about yourself, challenges help you to grow more confident.
And now, what are your goals for the next fifteen years?
To continue to follow the path of sharing harp with others, both strangers and friends?
To always find something to challenge your skill?
To just love your harp and love playing?
To be joyful in where you are in your harpy place?
I like all of these ideas. Quite a few I follow but not on a daily basis. Definitely have some more harp practice and playing coming up in the next few months.
My goal setting is a very relaxed, very slow to get going and never written down or anything.
Wonder what would happen if I actually committed something to paper?
You coyld try writing them down and see what happens!
Now that Mark is on the mend, I’m finally taking care of myself and making the appointments I need – physical therapy for the tendinitis that hasn’t gone away, and a trip to the ophthalmologist for new glasses and an extra set so I can practice sight reading. Yes, sight reading needs practice! In the meantime, I’m pulling out my small lightly strung harps so I can improvise with what I’ve got – right hand and left index finger. The thumb splint should keep me out of trouble. Since I don’t have any gigs lined up, anything goes! If I can actually do something – anything, I won’t feel like such a mess.
Glad to hear things are getting into the “better” range!
great thoughts! very worthy!
#3- we don’t do that enuf.
i love DHC’s line:
Congratulations! You’ve Made It This Far!