How To Balance Practicing with Other Aspects of Your Life
Being a classical musician is a demanding and rewarding profession that requires consistent practice and dedication. However, with the many demands of life, even getting the bare minimum done can be challenging sometimes. In this blog, we'll explore some tips on how to balance practicing with other aspects of life to avoid frustration, burnout, or even wanting to give up completely.
1. Prioritize and Schedule Your Time: The first step understanding your priorities. It’s way too easy to do the fun stuff first when you have a lot of motivation and procrastinate the difficult tasks to later when you are feeling depleted.
Determine your non-negotiable commitments such as work or school and schedule your practice time around them. Create a schedule and stick to it, allowing yourself some flexibility in case of unforeseen events.
By thoughtfully scheduling your practice time, you can ensure that it doesn't become stressful or compete with other aspects of your life.
2. Practice Efficiently: This is a big one. Ask yourself, “What is the focus of this practice session, and what do I REALLY need to work on?” Rather than practicing for hours on end with no strategy, try to focus on quality over quantity. Break up your practice time into manageable chunks and take breaks in between. Use effective practice techniques to make the most out of your practice time.
3. Take Care of Yourself: We’ve all heard about “self-care”, but how many of us actually do it effectively? If you want to perform at a high level, you have to get enough rest, exercise, and eat healthy food. Take breaks and step away from your instrument to clear your mind. And don’t forget to have hobbies. Go for a run, read a book, brew some beer! Engaging in activities that you love is critical to protecting your number one resource…your enthusiasm.
4. Set Realistic Goals: Chunk it down! Setting realistic goals is essential in balancing practicing with other aspects of life. Don't overcommit yourself to trying to perfect a piece or technique in one session, as it may lead to burnout. Determine your goals and break them down into smaller, achievable steps. And don’t forget to celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small. We all love a gold star!
5. Embrace Technology (thoughtfully): Technology has made it easier for musicians to balance practicing with other aspects of life. Use practice apps, metronomes, and recordings to make your practice sessions more efficient. Additionally, seek out online lessons or coaching sessions to save time on traveling and connect with musicians who otherwise might not be available to you.
Look, I realize none of this is rocket science, but I am amazed at how many musicians are way out of balance with their lives, yet don’t actually do anything about it. This isn’t just for beginners or students either…even professional musicians who have “made it” need to figure this stuff out.
Remember: you can make a choice and change your reality any time you like, but it won’t happen on its own.
Drop me an email at chris@honestypill.com and tell me which of these you will try this week!
Happy practicing,
Chris @ Honesty Pill
P.S. If you want to find some balance in your audition preparation, check out my 16 week course, “The Audition Accelerator” at this link right here.
