My 89 year-old Granddad gives my son and me guitar lessons on Friday afternoons. Though I disagree, Granddad says he is not talented but persistent. I believe he is both. But either way the persistence piece is key to his, or anyone's, success. The other key tip he frequently offers is: Practice what is hard. He quotes a professional musician who was asked why he still practices 6 hours a day. The answer? "I've noticed improvement." Since I have begun practicing what is hard for me, I too have been (surprisingly quickly) improving in my guitar playing as well as a few other areas I'm working on. It's remarkable how much can be accomplished in 2-3 weeks with daily practice. There's a fun YouTube video (The First 20 Hours - how to learn anything by Josh Kaufman) that speaks to this concept.
The two principles, persistence and practicing what is hard, can be applied to the progress of pretty much everything. And everything worth learning and doing has progressive pieces that build upon each other. But for this post I will be talking mainly about learning guitar and improving one's mental health. I think some good examples and comparisons can be made between the two. To paraphrase author and keynote speaker, Darren Hardy, measurable progress is deeply satisfying to the soul. The more I learn about life satisfaction and happiness, the more research I find linking them to progress towards one's goals. Goals give us purpose in our efforts and a challenge to rise up to meet.
I'm not going to belabor the point here - just pass along a few tips:
-The goals don't have to be profound or even far-reaching. In fact, succeeding in reaching short term goals builds the skills and persistence needed for the larger goals. The more realistic, measurable, and attainable the goal is the better. Measurable also means having (again, realistic) deadlines. Short term success leads to greater success as the momentum builds.
-Frequent, scheduled accountability is valuable. Having an encouraging friend to say you can do this, and to tell you to get back up if you fall down, builds good momentum. Maybe the friend will even partner with you (even if the friend's goal is not the same one) so there can be mutual support and celebrating along the way. (Being goal-oriented and an only child, I personally like this idea, yet typically end up using my own version of a daily accountability checklist.) Obviously the most important factor is whatever is do-able and works for you!
-Everyone has seeds of skills and talents. As a recent Coca-Cola add states, "Do you." The internet makes it easy to compare and feel "less than." (It also doesn't reveal the dust bunnies everyone has hiding under the bed or in the closet!) Some talents are more visible than others, but that doesn't make them more important. Maybe you are great at anticipating and filling the needs of others, whether picking up the dry cleaning or sending an encouraging note or taking a family a dinner. Maybe you are tech-savvy and can offer a friend a much needed hand (i.e., my best girlfriend, Laura!) Whatever you have, use it, grow it, share it, and enjoy it!
Matthew 25 Excerpts: To the one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability... And he who had two talents cam forward, saying, "...here, I have made two talents more." His master said to him, "Well done... You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master."
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