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" :-)