Motivation and focus

When I'm playing scales, the speed helps me stay motivated. But then I make mistakes and I can't get things in on time – I.e., I can't hit the notes at the right time. Sort of like missing deadlines.

But when I go with my own speed, I lose the motivation to stay focused and I end up not making it, either. I can't focus when I'm slow and when I'm going to fast it's... too fast! Maybe there's a balance...

But! I'd like to suggest that I need to focus on smaller pieces once I do go slower – like for instance, working on the left-hand, which is the reason I'm having trouble going fast! Instead of worrying that I'm "not motivated" and I need to focus! focus! focus!... i've got to find a new focus different from "not making mistakes."

What should the new focus be instead of "not making mistakes"? For instance, I can improve the left hand. Making the left hand stronger on its own.

Mainly, a good take-away here is this: not making mistakes is not a good focus. It's like, empty of reason. It's empty of a real goal. For instance, a real goal would be "to be like Jesus". The goal you wouldn't want to have, opposed but similar looking to the previous one, would be "be righteous" :-)

Thinking different

Certain types types of thinking are needed for different situations!

When it’s time to do my homework, I think abstractly, in circles. Not in points. I worry about how large the task is and edge up to it, like a scared animal making sure it’s safe.

I know that when deadlines approach, I am so much better at focusing on the target and getting the task done quickly because the due time is more imminent (unless I’m freaking out, of course…) It would be so great if I could control my attitude internally, instead of needing external motivation! This is part of the reason we all need school; but what happens when you aren’t motivated by those due dates anymore? It happens. I have to keep from feeling depressed and sad by the impending energy I have to pull out of nowhere to meet deadlines.

It helps that I love my future profession, and I’m doing it for God, but I often LITERALLY FORGET how fun it’s going to be, and how fun it CAN be even as I’m studying and learning (an ongoing and never-ending process in Music Therapy, I’ve heard)! My teachers have to remind me to say, “I GET to do this!”

My new voice teacher told me this phenomenally helpful tidbit — she advised me that I’m doing this to help others heal, gain energy, etc, and ultimately have FUN. Therefore, I get to have fun, too! This is a good thing. It’s not selfish, it will be a natural part of enjoying what my clients will be enjoying.

My type of thinking, when it’s time to do homework, is generally not appropriate. My usual thinking is good for philosophizing, for abstract thinking, for long discussions into the night and making new theories about science and understanding God. For doing homework, I can change my thinking, I know I can! 

When I have a homework assignment I need to do, I need to imagine it’s due sooner than it actually is, so I can get started closer to the bull’s eye.

In fact, that’s sort of a good analogy… how about that… I imagine a giant circle (my brain’s target area) is the place where I’m throwing my darts. But it’s not going to hit the mark if I settle for maintaining that giant circle as my target throwing space.

Instead, can I hone my focus a little, a bit more, or a lot more? How can I tighten the circle until it’s more zoomed in and smaller around the target?

Imagine it’s due sooner. Imagine it being due right away. What is most important? Avoid rabbit trailing yet again by keeping this in mind and going back to it— what is most important?

NO WORRIES, GUYS!!! ;) 頑張りましょう、ね