Happy New Year! The passing of a year and the entre into a new one gives us time tolook at the past and ponder the future. As an indie artist, now’s the time to think about changes and advances you want to make. What did you do in 2011? Did you achieve your goals or fall flat? What can you do to take your career and your music to the next level? What can you do to make 2012 your best year yet?

Here are some New Year’s resolutions to consider:

• Time: If you want your career to move in the right direction, consider dedicating more hours to your work. If you have a full-time job unrelated to your music, make sure you set aside enough time to accomplish your goals outside of work. If you don’t have a set schedule – whether for rehearsing or composing– consider creating one.
• Fitness: A healthy body helps create a clear mind. Do you hit the gym regularly? Ride your bike? What do you do to relieve stress? If you don’t make exercise a regular habit, now’s the time. Your music will thank you. And you might be surprised when inspiration strikes; the treadmill has a way of getting the creative juices flowing.
• Money: How well do you manage your money? Are you a saver or a spender? If you made some money missteps in 2011, now’s the time to make an appointment with a financial advisor to help you plan to make or save more money in 2012.
• Learn: Is there an instrument you wish you could play or a piece of recording equipment you want to operate but don’t know how? If your next album could use the sound of a mandolin, now’s the time to learn it. Resolve to expand your skill set in 2012.
• Get organized: Do you have a show calendar? A contact list? Is your office or rehearsal space in need of some de-cluttering? Start the New Year off on a great foot by getting your space or your documents order.

Remember: this year is your year! Make the most of your talent and ambition. Resolve to kick start your indie music career in 2012.

Tell us what you think! Have made any New Year’s resolutions? What are they?

Up next: Planning for 2012: make connections.

The SongCast Crew