Why Set BIG Goals

Many set what they believe to be “realistic” goals so that they are easier to obtain. But goals that are big, ones that are challenging, those are the ones worth sacrificing for. Those are the ones that inspire us. When we started San Antonio Music Academy, we did not set out to be a “good” music school. Our goal was to be the absolute best music school in the entire city of San Antonio, Texas. Now that’s a goal worth fighting for. Because it’s something we believe is worth achieving, it’s something we’re willing to work very hard at. The same applies to musicians. If Student A sets out to play Etude in G while Student B sets out to play Moonlight Sonata, Student A will have more success because Moonlight Sonata is a beautiful piece, a challenging piece that is worth the — sometimes arduous— practice.

     Setting an ambitious goal is only part of the equation. You must understand it’s the small steps that will lead you to a great accomplishment. When a child learns to speak English, he or she does not wake up one day speaking English fluently. No, he/she learns a few new words every week. Likewise, when your instructor tells you “practice at least 15 minutes a day” they understand that progress is made through daily work. Remember, you and I have the same amount of 24 hours in our day that Mozart or Bach or any great musician had. The question is what you do will with your time? Will you set BIG goals, ones that inspire you, ones that you’re willing to work towards on a weekly basis?

-Roland Guerrero, Executive Director