Day 49: Monday, May 17th 2021
Practice Time – 25 mins
I don’t feel great knowing that I’ve missed three of the last four days of practice, so I’m determined to have a better week this week. My motivation dipped last week, but I see this week as a fresh start and am ready to go.
My plan this week is to try to get over my motivation dip. I aim to do this by using consistency. So my aim is 5 mins a day, every day.
I continued onwards today practising all of my open chords using the new method that I came up with on Saturday. I think I’m starting to see small improvements with my chord changing and strumming, which is motivating.
Day 50: Tuesday, May 18th 2021
Practice Time – 10 mins
Just a quick 10-minute session today.
I ran through the usual stuff, but I also tweaked and built upon my new method for practising my chord changes/strumming. This new method feels beneficial which improves my motivation.
Day 51: Wednesday, May 19th 2021
Practice Time – 45 mins
Today felt productive. I pretty worked on the G, Em, D and Cadd9 using my new strumming/changing practice method.
I feel as though I’m getting closer to being able to jump to each chord more quickly whilst strumming. Again, this is motivating. Although I still feel a lack of motivation. I’m not sure why?
Day 52: Thursday, May 20th 2021
Practice Time – 20 mins
Today’s session is an exact replica of yesterday’s session. Albeit just for 20 minutes.
Definitely feeling small improvements.
Day 53: Friday, May 21st 2021
Practice Time – 0 mins
No practice today. I’m not really sure why as I had time. It seems that I start most weeks pretty strong, but fade a little from Friday onwards.
Day 54: Saturday, May 22nd 2021
Practice Time – 20 mins
Nothing new to report other than more practice and a tiny bit of improvement.
My lack of motivation is starting to feel normal.
Day 55: Sunday, May 23rd 2021
Practice Time – 0 mins
No practice again today. We had a big family day out.
Weekly Round-Up
Total Days Practiced: 5
Monday – 25 mins
Tuesday – 10 mins
Wednesday – 45 mins
Thursday – 20 mins
Friday – x
Saturday – 20 mins
Sunday – x
Total Weekly Minutes Practiced:
2 hours
End of Week Thoughts:
Motivation
I’ve been thinking about my motivation dip this week. What’s causing it, and how do I get through it?
I think the tricky thing for me is where my motivation lies.
Motivation should always lie in learning and playing the music you love the most. As a beginner, it’s a wonderful feeling to hear yourself playing real songs. It’s both inspiring, motivating, and fun.
This isn’t the case for me though, because I can already play all of the songs I’m learning left-handed when I play right-handed. And I can do it way better!
I don’t get the same spark from hearing myself play new music for the very first time. I don’t get the same spark for slight improvements towards each new song. I went through this phase when I learnt to play right-handed. When I was a true beginner. I’ve experienced it all already.
I just don’t have the same motivation as a true beginner does.
My motivation lies solely in experiencing the beginner process and discovering new ideas for learning that I can use to help others.
These are great motivators, but maybe not as great a motivator or as much fun as learning and playing new songs as a beginner, for the very first time.
What to do about this? I’m not sure I can do anything other than just dig in, and accept my situation for what it is.
I think I just need to remind myself why I’m doing this.
- To improve as a teacher.
- To help others learn better.
So I’m just going to keep on keeping on!