The secret of practice

I have a practice routine for studying and playing the guitar. I start the metronome and do 20 minutes of finger warm-ups consisting of scales, arpeggios, and patterns; all meant to improve strength and dexterity. I listen for tonal quality and make adjustments to sound better. The rest of the practice is fun, playing songs or cool licks and phrases. It’s that rewarding feeling of making music that keeps me coming back to practice. It feels great!

With music practice, I often get into a flow state, and hours just go by. The creator of the concept of flow, Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi, said that in the state of flow “the ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost.” This is another big reward. Who doesn’t want more of that?!

Our practices can improve wholebeing wellness. Routine practice opens a window into how I am – right now – mentally, physically, and emotionally. When I start to make repeated mistakes on the fretboard, it’s almost always because I’m distracted or trying too hard and tensing up. When I see it, I can pause, breathe, and restore my calm, focused attention to practice. It becomes a means of self-discovery and a wholebeing practice.
The secret to creating the habit of regular practice is the reward. The reward of music is in playing and finding scales transformed into melodies and rhythms that make you want to stand up and move your feet. It’s that feeling! That’s what makes the brain and body call out for more.

Recognizing the value of reward in creating good habits and the cessation of bad ones makes all the difference. When I notice habits I’d like to change, I look to see what it is that is supposedly rewarding about it. Once I see that the behavior is not helping, I’m more likely to nip it in the bud next time, and it gradually withers away.

If you find there is something you’d like to practice more, check out the reward it has for you and then emphasize it! If it’s music, remember to play and jam and boogie. If it’s yoga or exercise, revel in the feeling of having a healthy body and mind. If it’s meditation, notice the calmness and joy that’s taking root in you. Whatever it is you practice, don’t forget the reward.