"Regular practicing is a path towards self-discipline that goes way beyond music — it's a skill that has hugely positive ramifications for personal fulfillment and lifetime success..."
Highlights from the article on ways to motivate yourself or your kids to practice:
- Have a long term achievement goal and daily goals.
- Taking breaks is just as important as actual practicing is."that doesn't mean endless hours of slaving away. "Think of it like athletic practice," Huang says. "Gymnasts have to perfect four- or five-minute routines, but they need to spend the training time wisely. Too much tumbling, and their joints and muscles take on injury and strain. Too little, and they fall off the beam. That's why every time the gymnast steps on the floor, it's one routine or one set of hyperfocused, intensive work. And then it's break time." I wish I would have understood this sooner. As someone who has suffered from a repetitive stress injury TAKE IT FROM ME, this is IMPORTANT.
- I wish I would have understand this sooner. As someone who has suffered from a repetitive stress injury TAKE IT FROM ME, this is IMPORTANT.
- Turn practicing into a game.
- Reward yourself for accomplishing a goal whether big or small.
- Realize or help your child realize, that you get out of practicing what you put in.
Link to the actual article