Making time to practice

[Bill B]

I'm having problems making time to practice.

I'm semi-retired, 69, and find that I don't have the energy I did 10 years ago. I love piano - playing music one of the two things that really give me joy. However, I find that if I schedule my practice time for first thing in the morning when I have the most energy, I often get behind on my 1-3 hours of paid computer work - especially if I have an errand to run in the morning. 

I often say, OK, well, I'll schedule my practice time for 4:00 or 5:00 before I start cooking dinner. Unfortunately by that time good intentions succumb to just wanting to read, nap or bathe. After dinner is family time then bed. 

How do the rest of you manage to fit in 60-90 minutes (!!!) of practice into what I'm sure is your busy schedule? Any tips and tricks? 

[Brendan D]

@Bill B: Great question! Much does depend on what other responsibilities folks have. I am fortunate to no longer work and am treating piano as my job because I have some pretty specific goals. Still, I began this journey while I was still working (a very full-time schedule as Principal Engineer at Microsoft). Here's what I found worked for me:

-- Keep scheduling your practice. Make that time sacrosanct. It does not need to be a long period, but pick a time to which you can commit.
-- If possible, practice where you will not be interrupted (e.g., close the door, put away the phone). Thirty focused minutes out-performs two hours of diddling around.
-- Don't feel you have to practice for hours. Commit to, say, 30 minutes. Then, at the end of 30 minutes, keep going if you feel like and you can, or leave happy that you kept your commitment. Also, be open to practicing more than once a day (e.g., 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the early evening).
-- Have a goal for each day when you practice (it can be same goal, something you're working towards). Break large problems down into small chunks (e.g., learn two measure of a song) that combine to complete the large goal.
-- On days when you're sapped, still practice, but practice whatever gives you the most satisfaction (e.g., refreshing songs you've learning, working on improvisation).

I hope these suggestions help. Here a few other posts on practicing that might help as well:

 

[Bill B]

Thanks Brendan! I'm retired too, and am amazed at how much more I have to do than when I was working!!! I appreciate the time and detail you put into your response.