A former student of mine reminded me the other day of something I taught her many, many years ago. I wrote this statement down on a piece of paper for her and she said that she put it up on her bedroom wall where she could see it every day.

“An unwritten goal is merely a wish.”

Then, just the other day as I was preparing yet another ‘moment of teaching’ on the topic of goal setting, I came across this statement:

“A goal without a plan is a wish.”

Very similar, wouldn’t you say? So, I combined the two statements in preparation for meeting with my students in a few weeks to discuss our goals for the year.

“An unwritten goal, without a plan, is merely a wish.”

In writing my book, Six Word Lessons for Exceptional Music Lessons: 100 Lessons to Enhance the Parent, Teacher and Student Relationship, I found myself mentioning some sort of goal-setting experience quite often.
Presenting the topic of goal-setting, I like to start with the bigger picture and refine it down to specifics. For instance, start with a vision. In the music world, a student’s vision might be, “I want to be a great performing pianist.” Every music teacher alive loves to hear those words come out of their student’s mouths. But how much can actually be accomplished if we stop with just the vision?

Let’s refine that vision into a goal, specifically a longer-term type of goal, such as, “I want to be able to perform, from memory, at my school’s talent show this year.” See how we are starting to be a little more specific? It can’t stop there. We need a plan. Plans are like short-term goals. Plans must be specific and measurable. For the absolute best results, we can be accountable to someone to help stay on task, and have a ‘check in’ as to how we are progressing with our plans.

So, remember:

• Have a VISION
• Set a GOAL to keep focus on the vision
• Design tactical PLANS to achieve the goal

“Goal setting is essentially beginning with the end in mind. And planning is devising a way to get to that end.” (M. Russell Ballard, American businessman and religious leader)

After my students have set their goals and plans for the year, I like to touch base with them often, sort of have a personal progress interview. This gives them a chance to be accountable and it helps them to stay on task. I had a student who set a goal over the summer to complete a certain piece before heading off to piano camp, as well as staying on top of the selections she has chosen for competitions in the upcoming year. She kept a little journal with dates and what she wanted to have accomplished by those dates. In conjunction with her journal (plans), she kept a practice log to help her stay on track. One summer lesson she came a little bit unprepared, so I asked her, “How are you doing on your plan? Are you keeping up?” She replied that she had slipped a little bit on some of the pieces. I couldn’t believe what a difference it made when she began to deviate from her plan. Those specific and measurable plans really help with progression!

Lesson #62 – Practice log to stay goal-focused
Keeping a practice journal or practice log is a great way to stay focused on your practice goals. Don’t just keep track of the days and minutes you practice, but jot down notes on what you have accomplished and what you still feel needs some work.
(Six Word Lessons for Exceptional Music Lessons)
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As we venture into a new school-year of fabulous music lessons, teachers and students will benefit greatly if they take some time to discuss goals and plans. All will be richly rewarded.

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A couple of years ago, a student arrived at her lesson in tears. I asked her what was wrong and with a choked voice she said, "I didn't want to come to piano lessons today but my mom told me I had to." I asked her why she didn't want to come and she said she was in the middle of her homework and this wasn't her usual day to have lessons. Again, I asked her why she couldn't come on her regular day and she said, "because of ski school." I knew all of this, of course, but I wanted to make sure she understood why the change was made. She continued, with tears streaming down her face, that she couldn't come on another day because of her after-school activities. She was clearly upset that her schedule had been changed and she had lots of homework to do.

Are you visualizing this scene? Are you seeing, in your mind's eye, a tired, over-involved teenager at the end of her emotional rope? Nope. This student was a 2nd grader! In my humble opinion, an over-scheduled 2nd grader! How do we help our parents with this balance of academics, sports, music, social, and family? Are there questions we can ask when interviewing students and parents? I wanted to send this over-wrought, sweet little girl home to get some rest, but instead I tried to make it a really fun lesson, with activities, and stickers, and jokes.

We, as teachers, are asked to be more than just teachers sometimes. We are often called upon to be a different kind of listening ear. My studies in the field of Psychology have been extremely helpful as a music teacher. So many of our students are completely overwhelmed and there isn't always a solution to the situation. Our best bet is to love them, Let them know that they are loved and worthwhile , and that their thoughts and opinions matter. Sometimes these kids just need to "vent" in a safe environment. Be a listening ear when needed. Maybe you are the adult who can help them understand time and resource management.

Be gentle, be loving, and by all means, express your concerns with parents. Be kind in your comments and be prepared for some to possibly take offense. I have generally found that most parents are doing their absolute best to do, well, their absolute best. Always make your priority the health and well-being of the student. Don't ever forget, teachers, we are a valuable resource in the lives of our students.