Push!
After months of sitting around, I finally got off my butt today and went for a run.
About a mile in, my enthusiasm began to dip, and a pain in my foot began to grow.
I used to run a lot more often, so I’m familiar with these kinds of aches that pop up while “going the distance.
I knew that the discomfort in my foot was more of an annoyance than anything else – nothing too serious. But man, I really wanted to use it as an excuse to slow to a comfortable walk, maybe a stroll… a chance to enjoy such a beautiful fall day in Jersey City.
This cognitive dissonance of wanting to stop while knowing you should press on is one of the reasons running is such a valuable teacher. It helps you get accustomed to willing yourself to keep going, no matter what the endeavor.
That same need for a push shows up in the practice room. I hate to say it, but in order to really “play” music, you need to work at music, too. And in order to work hard, you need to push past that urge to move on to something else, take a break, or give up completely.
The supportive “dad voice” in me wants to always deliver an upbeat message. But today I’m just going to remind you (and me) that getting good at music is hard, and it takes real work.
The good news is that, just like with running, once you push past what you think you can't handle, the work does indeed start to feel like play.
All that said, don’t just aimlessly go shed for six hours a day. You have to practice smart as well as hard.
That’s why I created the course, Perfect Practice, which includes my top tips, strategies, and techniques for optimizing your practice time for better, faster results.
I’m actually upgrading Perfect Practice with additional videos in the next couple of weeks, which will most likely drive up the cost to enroll. So I highly recommend grabbing your virtual seat now at the low price and get the upgraded version free when it's released!
Check it out here:
https://go.jeffschneidermusic.com/perfect-practice
- Jeff
P.S. I am not a doctor. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. My experience and perspective is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional.
That said, when it comes to music, let's all take the wise words of Britney Spears to heart...
Work, work, work, work
Work, work, work, work
Work, work, work, work
Work, work, work, work
Work it out, work it out, work it out, work it out
Work it out, work it out, work it out, work it out
Work it out, work it out, work it out, work it out
Work it out, work it out
You better work bitch
You better work bitch
And here's how:
https://go.jeffschneidermusic.com/perfect-practice