How PACT Goals Help Musicians Build Confidence Without Fear of Failure
- Gökçe Kutsal
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 29
[Missed the first post? Start here: Why I Stopped Teaching SMART Goals (And What I Recommend Instead)]
When I first began moving away from teaching SMART goals, I wasn’t entirely sure what would fill the gap.
I just knew this:
My clients — highly capable, fiercely creative musicians — weren’t failing because they weren’t "measuring" things properly.
They were falling apart because their goals sat almost entirely outside their Circle of Control.
And for many of them, goal-setting had quietly become another form of self-punishment...
A game rigged against them from the start.
One afternoon, after a particularly painful session where a brilliant student broke down over missing a completely unrealistic target, I knew I had to rethink the whole process.
That’s when I discovered PACT goals — and they changed everything.
Why PACT Goals Are Different
PACT stands for Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, and Trackable.
Unlike SMART goals, which obsess over achieving specific outcomes by a certain date, PACT goals focus on consistent actions that you control entirely.
They're not about crossing a finish line.
They're about building a path — one solid step at a time.
For musicians who struggle with confidence, performance anxiety, or fear of failure, this shift is transformational.
Breaking Down PACT Goals
Here’s what each part really means, and why it matters for you as a musician or singer:
Purposeful
Your actions must serve a clear purpose connected to your deeper values.
You're not just ticking boxes — you're honouring what truly matters to you.
Example:
Instead of "post three videos a week because everyone says I should", your purpose might be: "Share my love for classical guitar with a wider audience".
Actionable
Your goals are based on concrete actions, not vague hopes or external outcomes.
Example:
Rather than "become a well-known singer", a PACT goal could be "record and share one vocal cover each month".
Continuous
The focus is on ongoing practice, not one-time achievement.
This eases the pressure and helps you build momentum instead of chasing constant validation.
Example:
"Practice my scales for 20 minutes daily", not "perfect my top C by June".
Trackable
You should be able to see your progress over time.
Not to judge yourself harshly — but to quietly celebrate that you're still moving.
Example:
Keeping a simple practice log or noting each time you perform a mini home concert.
Why PACT Goals Are Especially Powerful for Overthinking or Neurodivergent Musicians
Many of the musicians I work with — especially those who identify as neurodivergent or highly sensitive — carry deep scars from years of "not measuring up".
They’ve learned to associate goals with looming failure rather than joyful growth.
PACT goals quietly sidestep that entire trap.
By shifting the focus from winning to working, from external outcomes to internal mastery, musicians start rebuilding trust in themselves.
One client told me, a few months after setting her first series of PACT goals:
"For the first time in years, I feel like I’m allowed to be proud of myself — even if no one else notices".
That, to me, is the real magic :)
Small Examples of PACT Goals for Musicians
Here are a few PACT goal ideas you could adapt to your own journey:
Purposeful: Share my love of traditional folk songs.
Actionable: Learn and record one new folk song every month.
Continuous: Play guitar for 15 minutes every morning, even just for fun.
Trackable: Keep a list of songs learned with dates.
Notice how none of these depend on followers, applause, or "success" as judged by others.
They're all about your craft — your growth.
Final Thoughts: Choosing PACT Goals When Fear Holds You Back
If you've ever flinched at the idea of setting goals because you were tired of disappointing yourself, you are not alone.
(And you are not the problem!)
Maybe you simply needed a different approach.
One that’s kinder, more human — and still astonishingly powerful over time.
Next time you think about setting a goal, try asking:
"What action could I take, consistently, that would honour my love of music?"
It’s a different question.
And it leads to a different life.
Ready for the next step?
In the next post, we’ll explore HARD goals — a framework that helps musicians push through fear and embrace meaningful challenges.
