Focus and Concentration- an Update

Here's an update on my past focus topic. Since that last post, procrastination has still obviously been a problem, but not quite as much. I have been trying to develop this habit of stopping and checking "am i doing what I should really be doing right now?" every few minutes. This is very effective, because most of the time, I'm not doing what I should. This helps me snap back into what I really should be doing.

 Something else that has helped is that my laptop charger cord has gotten loose and only works when it wants to. When it runs out of battery, I have to sit with it for about an hour holding the cord in place, thus making it virtually impossible to type quickly. This really stinks when it comes to schoolwork, but as for everyday use, it has actually helped me stop procrastinating a little.  Since I haven't gotten to take it in to get it fixed, I have been having to share my parent's computer. This means finding a time slot when my parents and younger brothers and sisters aren't using it. It's either that or working in the ASC when I get the chance. This has forced me into the mentality that when I get on the computer, I absolutely HAVE to get to work. 

This has also partially lessened the distraction, since if I want to get on Facebook or Pinterest, I have to wait until my mom is done checking emails, etc. and the kids are done with their schoolwork or games. Since my computer has been down and I have been more focused, I have found more practice time that I had been struggling to make. Overall, this has snowballed into better focus. I still want my computer back, though. :)

Transitions and Finding the Time

The toughest part of my transition into college so far has been finding the time to practice playing my guitar. Before starting college, It was easy for me to make the time to practice. Being home schooled with a clear focus on my path in music, I could take two or more hours out of my day no sweat. Lately, though, I have been struggling just finding a few minutes to do it. Toward the end of this past spring I had lots of auditions to prepare for, because of my coming graduation, and had been working myself like crazy. I practiced every spare moment that I had. The result was beautifully polished songs, but a very tired out musician.

 As soon as the auditions were over I decided to take a short break and cut down on my practicing.  This was for many reasons: first, I was tired; second, this was my first summer without lessons, and the freedom brought out the worst in me; and lastly, I had developed an arm injury and was unsure if I would be doing myself harm by continuing to practice. Luckily, it turned out not being serious at all, and I was able to practice again.

 As I got into the swing of summer and got my plans together for college, I completely dropped off of my practicing. By the end of July I was only practicing maybe once or twice a week.  This is a very bad thing for me going into college as a performance major. And now that I am in college, things haven't gotten any better. I have been able to practice maybe thirty min before classes or when I get home, but at my level of playing this is barely enough time for a decent warm up. 

As a result of all of this, my arm muscles have gotten out of shape, I have less dexterity, and less accuracy. When I am able to find the time, I use it to kind of quick play all of my songs just to keep them under my fingers. However, I haven't really had the time for critical playing. I haven't been able to just sit down and perfect individual pieces. This is a very important and necessary thing for a musician. The lack of it has made my songs sloppier, made them lack tone, and I have developed many bad habits overall. In short, it has all been one downhill ride.

 I need to find some way to schedule in some time for practice. After all, this is my major! I am hoping to improve on this during my next few weeks in college.  This is something I need to set straight now before my classes become harder and I need to spend more time on them.

Questions, nice comments, and ideas are great. The whole idea of this blog is to help me better my writing. Any positive feedback is welcome.