Thursday, January 24, 2013

Stop Watching Your Watch




We go back to Daniel Coyle’s book for this week’s tip. 

Rule #14:
Take off your watch

Most of us who have taken music lessons know very well that the teacher has drilled into us to practice X number of minutes per day. 

Here’s a new twist on that rule.

Daniel has a lot to say about this idea.

Deep practice is not measured in minutes or hours, but in the number of high-quality reaches and repetitions you make – basically, how many new connections you form in your brain. 

“It is not … “I’m going to practice piano for 20 minutes.”  Rather:
“I’m going to do five intensive reps of that new song.

“Instead of hitting golf balls for an hour, perform 25 quality swings with each club. 

“Instead of reading that text book for an hour, make flash cards and grade yourself on effort.

“It’s all about reps and reaches.”

This is applicable in all of life.  See how many ways you can apply this to yourself.

It works, because it is reinforcement of a good and positive movement. 

The main point is this:  We don’t want to reinforce bad habits.  We want to focus on good ones.


Carolyn Biggs
Steps and Skips
Tips for the Developing Student

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