Motivation and Procrastination
Is there a feeling of “UGH” when starting a task?
Sometimes, dreading to practice occurs because of feeling overwhelmed.
Perhaps there are a lot of tasks that feel unsurmountable, tedious, or just too many.
As a result, motivation can wane and procrastination might creep up to delay the feeling of discomfort.
Of course, the more these feelings are put off, the more it will grow and continue to feel overwhelming!
So how can you ignite the motivation to practice?
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, states “The problem is not 'doing' the work, it’s 'starting' the work”.
Thus, you need to make it easier for you to begin the act of practicing.
Here are some prompts to help you get started and avoid the pain of discomfort and overwhelm:
What is a small thing could I tackle right now in my music that would help me feel more accomplished?
What musical or technical trouble is making me feel discouraged the most? How could I break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks?
What part of the music feel unsolvable? Who could I ask for help?
What do I enjoy doing the most when practicing my instrument and could I start the practice session doing that to lift my spirits and gain momentum?
Am I feeling overwhelmed with the number of things to practice? Could I be more realistic OR is there one task that I could tackle first that would drastically lighten the load?
If you haven’t read it already, Atomic Habits by James Clear is an excellent book to help you build the habits you need to transform your practice and your life! He’s also got an informative blog that explores the same concepts in his book!
Do you want more tips on motivation and procrastination?
Happy Practicing,
Michelle
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