(2-3 min. read)
Ahh...the leaves in New England are starting to change colors, and the air is getting crisp.
Fall is upon us!
Many of you will be going back to school with lots of ambition and goals.
Great! I'm so glad to hear this.
But here's what I want to tell you, folks. Your goals will not be achieved overnight, and you won't reach them unless you put in the work. You need to ask yourself how much time are you willing to put into practicing. Are your goals so far out there that they almost become realistic? Well, that's up to you and your teacher to decide. I'll tell you that with a consistent practice regimen, your goals won't seem so distant.
You have your goals set in your mind, but don't know how to execute? Let's break it down.
First..
Ask your teacher
There is really no better thing to do first than to have coffee or tea with your teacher, and discuss your goals. They know your playing better than anyone else. They will give you an opinion about which goals are realistic to achieve in the upcoming school year.
Next..
Create a practice regimen
As a student or even as a professional player, you need to make a game plan to help you achieve your goals. From my experience, I like using a weekly planner that has appointment time slots. It allows me to stay organized while showing me other rehearsals or performances I have scheduled.
Lastly...
Make yourself accountable
It's good that you have goals, but no one is going to accomplish them for you. Like I said earlier, you need to be willing to put in the work. If you say didn't have time, then I don't believe you.
Make time!
Mark your practice time in your calendar, write your goals down, pen it in! Only you can force yourself to put in the extra effort. Teachers will always remind you to practice, but it's your drive that'll determine your success.
Go out there, practice smart, and starting checking those goals off your list.
It's you against yourself
Have a favorite practice routine you like to share? Leave a comment below!