January 2025

“Be in practice, not in pursuit.” 

I read this in a newsletter from The Design Lab last week. Owner Nicole Yang wrote, “I think growing as a person often has much more to do with the ‘little’ unseen ways that we change rather than the big obvious ones.”

Things like:

• Becoming a better listener and communicator.

• Slowly moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

• Developing mental toughness and resilience.

• Learning how to ask better questions, in teaching and in learning.

In this season of goal-setting and checklists, I think it's important to acknowledge that not everything can be measured. Not everything follows a set of orderly steps (as much as I may try!). That doesn't mean it can't be done; it just takes a different approach.

Most people think:

But in my experience, it’s:

It’s a cycle—something we do again and again.

Here are a few questions to think about:

• What's something you want to change?

• What do you want your life to be about?

• What do you want to be known for?

• What do you wish you were better at?

^^^ On that note, I’d love your help with something.

I’ve been thinking about what I want 2025 to look like and brainstorming some fresh ideas, but I’d love your input. After all, you’re the executive directors of everything I do.

No big survey, just one question—

What’s one thing I can create, share, or update to help you in your music career and teaching this year?

Comment and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!