Got this off an email from a friend:
Why some people do not find practice boring:
For the superior performer, the goal isn't just repeating the same thing again and again but achieving higher levels of control over every aspect of their performance. That's why they don't find practice boring. Each practice session they are working on doing something better than they did the last time."
So it's not just how long they practice, it's how they practice. Basically, it comes down to something like this:
Most of us want to practice the things we're already good at, and avoid the things we suck at. We stay average or intermediate amateurs forever.
read the rest of the article here.
Like what the article mentions : the most troubling and where we have the most leverage is with the amateur who are satisfied with where they are:
But the most troubling--and where we have the most leverage--is with the amateur who is satisfied with where they are. These are the folks who you overhear saying, Yes, I know there's a better way to do this thing, but I already know how to do it this [less efficient, less powerful] way and it's easy for me to just keep doing it like that." In other words, they made it past the suck threshold, but now they don't want to push for new skills and capabilities. They don't want to suck again. But that means they'll never get past the kick-ass threshold where there's a much greater chance they'll become passionate about it
Remember, being better is better. Whatever you're better at becomes more fun, more satisfying, a richer experience, and it leads to more flow.
Such a good wake-up call. I should really change my practice habits! Been practicing my Chopin etude much more these few days, at least one-and-a-half hours a day from 10.30pm-12am. I'm fortunate to have neighbours who don't complain (:
Reeds have been temperamental as usual, with the rainy weather and all. Am still overwhelmed by the amount of work/practice/rehearsals I have!
Labels: musings, quotes