CREATE YOUR FUTURE WITH THE VISION FUNNEL

At the end of each lesson, our teachers ask their students a very important question: “What would you like to achieve next lesson?”

This isn’t just a habit; it’s part of the goal-setting process at MnSOM. Setting goals is key to success in any part of our lives, especially in music. Setting strong goals drives us to keep moving forward and growing. At MnSOM, we help our students set goals with a VisionFunnel, a goal-setting strategy inspired by Dave Ramsey.

START WITH A DREAM

Everything we do in life starts with a dream-like “I want to play piano,” or “I want to be an author.” That dream motivates us to look into music lessons or take creative writing classes. We want to achieve something, so we have to put in the work to make it a reality.

DISTILL YOUR DREAM INTO A VISION

While dreams can inspire us, they’re often too vague. When you have a dream, it’s important to distill it into a clear vision so you can create a plan. Give your dream details. For example, “I want to play piano,” can become “I want to be a classical pianist.”When you recognize the specifics of your dream, making decisions to help you pursue it is easier.

WRITE DOWN TANGIBLE GOALS

Once you identify your vision, break it into smaller, tangible goals you can pursue to achieve that vision. These goals need to be specific and measurable. For example, “I want to write a book,” isn’t tangible. A tangible goal would be: “I will write a YA short story and submit it to publications before December 2020.” Once you determine your tangible goals, physically write them down and put them somewhere you’ll see every day. Regularly remind yourself of your goals so you’re always working toward them.

The start of the new year is a time to look ahead and ask, “Where do I want to be 12 months from now?”Dream about the future then distills those dreams into visions and tangible goals. Setting worthwhile goals now is the best way to create a future you’re proud of.

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