Re: [Harp-L] Practice Makes Better -- Part 6

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Drop and give me twenty.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> "Anti-Authority"
>
> I wonder if I'm the only one who has a bit of an anti-authority streak.
>  Sometimes I resist practicing JUST BECAUSE someone told me I should, or
> must.  Sometimes I even rebel against MYSELF, when I tell myself that I
> should or must practice.  Even when I understand that practicing is in my
> own best interests, I still don't do it.
>
> I have to resort to mental tricks to get myself out of this particular
> hole.
>
> One is "Suit up and show up."  All I ask myself is the very tiniest of
> tasks, like taking a harmonica out of the case and putting it right back
> again.  That's all -- not even playing it.  The idea is to "reprogram
> myself" to do some practice-releated tasks until some part of me says, "Oh,
> alright, I'll play a little something."
>
> Another trick I play on myself is to ask myself, "What happens if I
> practice [every day, today, once this week, etc.]?"  By turning the work
> into an experiment rather than an exercise in compliance, I can often get
> myself out of this mental trap.
>
> Another is to give myself permission to practice anything EXCEPT what I
> think I "should" be practicing.  Just to get myself back in physical
> contact with the harp.  Something just for fun, or something comfortable
> and familiar.
>
> I admonish myself to get my money's worth -- from my lessons, from my gear.
>
> I invite myself to try something completely new or different.
>
> I try to imagine what my life would be like if I NEVER practiced.
>
> I take a day off.
>
> I go to a jam and come face to face with how much better I want to be.
>
> Other tricks or ideas?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Elizabeth H. (aka "Tin Lizzie")
>
>
>