“If it is important to you, you will find a way.
If not you’ll find an excuse.”
I’m still pondering the results of the Practice Survey I conducted in my studio last week. It’s interesting to see how many of my students selected the option, “I am too busy; my schedule doesn’t allow time for me to practice.” I know that some of my students do have pretty crazy schedules, but I wonder if our fast-paced culture has conditioned kids to think that they’re too busy to do things that they really could fit into their day if it was important enough… In going above and beyond the call as a teacher to keep piano lessons fun and engaging, I wonder if we sometimes forget to tell students the reality:
* Sometimes daily practice will be hard.
* Sometimes you will fall short of what you want to achieve.
* Sometimes practicing will not be fun.
* Sometimes you will feel like quitting.
*Sometimes you will wonder why you are learning to play the piano.
This is normal. It’s okay to feel these things. But you must press on. You must be diligent to practice every day. You must put your whole heart into doing the best you can. Because it will be worth it. It is worth it!
Quote HT: Artiden
I really needed to read this today. For myself and for my students. Thank you!
Love that quote, so true! Sadly, it’s not just students now that are saying I’m too busy (even adult students). I’m having a REAL hard time getting teachers to take on positions in our music teachers group. #1 excuse is they are too busy. I’m busy too, oh trust me I’m busy so I can totally relate. But at the same time I know we can’t exist without those volunteers.
This quote is so true. It’s the same thing regarding our health, namely exercise. The biggest excuse is no time, but when one’s health is in jepardy, priorities change. I’ve worked a morning walk/bike ride into my daily schedule for over 20 years. Now I can’t go a day without doing it or else I feel out of sorts. If I have a lot going on in a day, I get up a little earlier to walk. It’s a priority for me. Practice is the same way. I wonder how much time could be earmarked for practice if the cell phones, TVs, ipods, and computers were suddenly turned off!!
Words and pictures are so powerful– you should definitely stick these words on your wall! I’m so glad you guys found inspiration and motivation in my post– you’re right… it IS worth it!
So true!!! I teach 2 boys who are very talented naturally, but they do not practice. Somehow they always get by with the skin of their teeth….but almost every week I try to give them a bit of a reality check on the fact that it takes work to learn a skill. I told them last week that they will only go so far if they don’t practice.
That said, we teachers need to stay motivated too! Great quote!
I just printed it to put on the bulletin board in my studio! It fits so well in every area of life!
I love this post – it’s so true. You can achieve anything if you want to do it badly enough. It is difficult to make students want to practice but finding different ways to motivate them is what its all about! Think I will print this out……
That quote is so true! The people who are successful are the ones who find a way to make it work. They are able to categorize tasks and give priority to the ones that are most meaningful to them. We all choose daily what is most important to us. Whether it be watching TV, getting on facebook, or practicing the piano. Wherever we use most of our time, is where we put the most value. Make the decision today to choose the area in your life that is most important, not the most enjoyable. The things that matter most are always the most fun in the beginning, but the reward is always worth it in the end.
Hi everyone! For a daily dose of motivation, I designed two printable mini posters based on this quote (plus another one). Check it out here: http://artiden.com/how-to-achieve-any-goal-once-and-for-all/
I would add to that something, though.
“If not….” then maybe it’s just not your thing.