Igniting Your Desire to Practice
With our busy lives sometimes it seems too hard to practice consistently. So many things grab our attention and seem to need us that we run out of energy or time to do the things we want to do for ourselves.
In The Talent Code Daniel Coyle tells us that keeping desire alive is crucial to keeping our deep practice going and that is the key to success in building skill. So here are some ideas for creating an environment where your desire will be re-ignited and some suggestions for getting started on your practice each day. These are just things that occurred to me off the top of my head. Please share any others that you find helpful.
Keeping the flame alive:
Find a photo of a person who inspires you and put it in your practice space
Listen to singers who inspire you every day
Check out Youtube to watch singers who inspire you
Five ways to get started
1. Follow your curiosity.
I often start a practice session with something I’m wondering about. It could be as simple as “I wonder what will happen in this vocalise today?!”
2. Have a specific time and place that you always practice.
The routine gets you going but your process stays fresh with wondering and awareness.
3. Develop a pre-practice routine that you enjoy.
An example might be:
Make a cup of tea and have a light snack (The body and mind need fuel for practicing).
Do a few yoga moves with your Alexander directions.
Do a short centering meditation to bring yourself into the present and help prevent endgaining.
4. Zombie practice
Just “zombie” yourself to your practice area and look at the photo of your inspiring person.
5. Singing with chores
Begin to vocalize while doing something mundane like the dishes. Allow yourself to be swept away by your curiosity and awareness.
The most important thing is to find the things that work for you. They may be different each day, or the same. Only you can determine what is the best way for you, but you have to try them out to see what works! Happy exploring!