Impact First

Start with the impact you want to make.

I’m in the middle of figuring out whether I want to take the leap on a new project I’ve been dreaming of.

I think with any project, you have to start with the question, “What impact do I want to have?”

Want to write a book? What impact do you want it to have, and on whom?

Want to start a new ensemble? Who do you want it to impact?

Planning an international trip for your choir? What impact do you want it to have on your students?

Knowing what the intended impact will be is crucial in every aspect of planning. It will affect every choice you make, and is tied integrally into questions of who a project is for, where it will happen, how much it should cost, how long it will take, and virtually every other question you might have.

Start with the impact you want to make. From there, you can start to answer every other question about the project. Then you can decide whether you want to actually do it.