NEW YEAR, NEW PROJECT: WHAT TO DO AS AN ARTIST AS OF 1 JANUARY 2026

1 January is not just a change of date. For many artists, it is a time when motivation returns, new ideas appear and the need to do things differently is felt.

The problem is that without clear decisions from the beginning of the year, this initial energy is often diluted in a few weeks. Starting 2026 with intention is not about setting out to do more, but to do less, but better.


THE MISTAKE OF STARTING THE YEAR WANTING TO DO IT ALL

One of the most common failures at the beginning of the year is to want to cover everything: to release more music, to grow in networks, to play more, to collaborate with more people. This accumulation of goals tends to generate dispersion and frustration.

A musical project does not advance by quantity of actions, but by coherence. 1 January is a good time to decide what things you want to do. no you are going to do this year and where you are going to put your energy.


DEFINE A REAL PRIORITY FOR 2026

Every project needs a pivot. It can be launching new music, consolidating a catalogue, preparing a live show or professionalising distribution. Trying to do everything at once tends to block progress.

Defining a clear priority for 2026 helps to make better decisions during the year. Every action that does not fit with that main objective becomes meaningless, no matter how attractive it may seem.


START THE YEAR BY MAKING DECISIONS, NOT JUST PLANS.

Planning is not about making an endless list of resolutions. It is about making concrete decisions from day one: how many launches to take on, at what pace, with what resources and with what level of demand.

1 January is a good time to adjust expectations to the reality of the project. A realistic plan, even a smaller one, tends to hold up better than an ambitious one that is abandoned in March.


BUILDING HABITS RATHER THAN CHASING RESULTS

Many artists start the year obsessed with immediate results. However, growth often comes from sustained habits: consistency in releases, profile care, data review and progressive improvement of the process.

Starting the year by focusing on habits reduces pressure and increases the sense of real progress. Progress comes as a consequence, not as a direct goal.


MAKE 1 JANUARY A STARTING POINT, NOT A PRESSURE POINT

The beginning of the year should not become a burden. It is not a race against the clock or a missed opportunity if you do not make the most of it from day one.

Using 1 January as a starting point means starting with clarity, without rushing and with a more conscious idea of where you want to take your music project in 2026.


STARTING THE YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

While many projects move on impulse, those that grow in the medium term usually start the year with clear decisions and a minimum structure on which to build.

2026 is not won in January, but it can be lost if you start without focus. Making good decisions from day one makes the rest of the year more meaningful.


Starting the year with a clear direction, defined priorities and a realistic strategy allows the music project to move forward with less attrition and more coherence throughout 2026.

Search

You may be interested in

WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE NUMBERS: THE MISTAKES THAT CAN STUNT YOUR GROWTH AS AN ARTIST

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN STARTING TO USE SPOTIFY FOR ARTISTS

WHAT TO DO AFTER CLAIMING YOUR ARTIST PROFILE ON SPOTIFY

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR ARTIST PROFILE ON SPOTIFY FOR THE FIRST TIME (STEP BY STEP)

THE REAL PACE OF AN ARTISTIC CAREER (AND WHY ALMOST NOBODY EXPLAINS IT TO YOU)

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS AS AN ARTIST WITHOUT RELYING ON NUMBERS