The Importance of Setting Goals and the Doctor Gets Some Things Off His Chest

Your life is your life. You have to manifest what you want. Set some goals. I don't know exactly how long Rome was built in, but it definitely wasn't a day. Why don't you think about your goals in three ways: now, semi-future, and long-term future. Now: this month Semi: six months to a year Long-term: one year or more These are all tied together, so I think you need to think long-term first. What is your ultimate goal? Dream big. If you don't dream, how can you ever get there? (Mine was to have a studio, play and create music with people I admired, and to see the world.) Then, after some of those become reality, you can reassess your goals again and see how they fall in line with the now/semi/long-term and keep going. I really feel like every year it's important to cut things out of your life. I used to DJ at the Diesel store for like eight hours a time and at first it was cool, but then I fucking hated it cuz it ate my soul alive and I left. It was pretty good money, but I just didn't feel good about it. The next year was the Sake Bar. It had its time and its place, but I was like, "Yo, I can't be working at a bar until I'm 50," even though it was pretty tite. The same goes with music. Don't be complacent. Fear and hunger can bring out results. You should figure out what is becoming inefficient time in your life. Maybe when school is done, you will have that time and everything else can stay. Maybe a job that pays a little more might help you work less, and maybe going out five nights a week drinking with your friends is taking up time. Look at all of that. Next thing—think about the next month. Can you take one month to make one song, the best song of your life? Can you focus on your Facebook and your SoundCloud and all that stuff? I think some of that will get you on the right path. My mantra has been that as long as you're making strides forward everyday, whether they are small or big, you are always moving forward. It sounds corny, but life is long. I didn't put out my first real piece of music until I was 24, and I feel like I'm still just getting started now. So it's all good. Don't trip. Also, don't look at this as a competition with your friends. Use them as inspiration. They are your friends and we all work differently, so don't try and be them. Try and get their feedback on tracks and have them help you improve, or try and get in the studio with them and see what they are doing that you aren't. Be a student always. I hope some of that helps. Let's goooo. *Column 44*