How to Find Time to Practice When Your Workload Has Increased

Photo Credit: Tom Hart

I can’t believe it’s October already! Even though school started about a month ago, I just now feel like I’m settling into the routine of the fall. If I feel that way I can only imagine that my students feel the same. Last week I talked about a sensitive topic that needs to be discussed– essentially, should you fit music lessons into your busy school year activity load. While the short answer is yes, click here to read my full thoughts on this important topic.

This week I want to talk about how to find time to practice when your workload has increased. It can be hard, and I see a lot of my students struggling with this after they just started middle or high school. It is possible to still have plenty of practice time and be prepared for your lessons even if everything (sports, school work, other activities, etc.) have an increased workload. Here’s what I recommend:

• Make practicing a routine

I’ve mentioned this one many times before, but it’s worth mentioning again. Anything that we do as a routine gets done. We don’t have to think about it or consciously remember to do it. For example, every morning after I wake up, I brush my teeth and then eat breakfast. That’s a given– always done no matter what.

With practicing, come up with a consistent time each day– something like everyday right after dinner or right before bed. When that time comes, make yourself practice. I also suggest programming the practice time in your phone’s calendar and setting a reminder to go off. If you don’t have or use a phone, ask your parents to do so, so they can remind you each time.

It will feel awkward at first and you won’t always feel like practicing– especially if you’re in the middle of something else. If you make yourself practice anyway, before long a routine will be established and you won’t need the calendar or parent reminder. Give it a try and see for yourself.

• Use a practice chart

Practice charts can work wonders. Most students hate coming back to their lesson a week later with an empty practice chart. The social accountability of knowing that your teacher will look at your practice chart in a week should be enough to get you to practice. Anytime we are held accountable to others, it really pushes us into gear to get stuff done.

In this post, I talk extensively about how to use a practice chart, and I also provide one that you may download and use. If you need further help with your practice chart, leave a comment below, and I’ll give you more suggestions.

• Use your time wisely

Many times students will complain that they don’t have enough time to practice. This is an easy trap to fall into, and I know that all of us have been guilty of the “I don’t have enough time” excuse at one point in our lives. Honestly, we are all given the same 24 hours each and every day to decide how we’d like to spend it. Of course some things like sleeping and going to school (or work for adults) is a given that we all have to do. Beyond that, we get to choose how we spend our time.

Even if you are busy, chances are you have a few minutes here and a few minutes there of free time. Instead of going on the computer, Ipad, or watching tv, take time to practice. Even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes, if you really focus on a portion of your music without allowing yourself to get distracted, it’s amazing what you can accomplish in that short increment. A handful of 5-10 minute chunks used effectively throughout the week can translate into a very well prepared student.

So many times we think that we can’t do something unless we can devote tons of time to it. I’m certainly guilty of not starting something because I only have a few minutes or not calling a friend or family member I haven’t talked to in forever because I don’t have tons of time free at that moment. When I get over this type of thinking, I get so much more done. I encourage you to keep this in mind with practicing.

• Celebrate!

When you have a great practicing week and are very prepared for your lesson, celebrate! Find some way to reward yourself for your hard work and success. Life is too short for us not to celebrate even the small wins. The way you choose to celebrate is entirely up to you– just find something that resonates with you and do it. Your mind will begin to associate working hard with getting a reward and will want to work hard because the reward/ celebration feels so good!

Now I want to hear from you. Is your schedule very busy this year? How do you find time to practice? Which of the tips above or tips of your own resonate the most with you. Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Subscribe to the newsletter list and “like us” on Facebook. Have a beautiful day!

Sincerely,

Cassie