I’m not a fan of being busy but I’m always doing something. It’s just that my somethings might appear to others as nothings. Right now it may be that many people are feeling guilt because they have more time and have opportunities to do activities or learn skills that they did not have time to do before Covid – but have seen that time go by without even making a start. I bet people who are feeling that guilt have been busy with worry and that takes a lot of time and energy and can consume the capacity for creative thought. People who are stressed make very bad learners. Don’t feel guilty if you have not become fluent in Japanese or learned to use Python. You just may not have the mental resources to do that right now. Be kind to yourself – you have been doing something. Now it might be time to do something else.
Beginnings
I enjoy the beginnings! Meeting people who want to learn new skills is a pleasure, and being part of that learning is a privilege.
For those beginning courses this week – and I am sure that you have already heard me say this – remember that you can learn lots in ten hours, and you can learn lots more in ten weeks. So think deeply about the outcome you wanted from the course, and practice. And remember to practice slowly. Learning will be quicker – and permanent.
Thank You
Feeling quite sad that six weeks of working with brilliant people on my course is over – for now. Hoping everyone will keep practicing and having fun improving skills.
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Practice makes………….me a swimmer?
I have never been able to swim! I can take part in most sports to a reasonable level – but in the water I am a disaster! I splash and roll about, getting nowhere and getting frustrated when I watch others glide effortless through the water when I am gasping and sinking! So, at last, I have decided to have lessons – my first was yesterday. The coach changed the way I move my legs – then my arms. It feels awkward and unnatural – but I’m sure she is right. And what did she reiterate – time and time again from the poolside. ‘You must practise! When the lesson is over, get into the water as many times as possible and practice until you can do it without thinking how!’
Have I heard something like this somewhere else?
Learning is more than in the head – but……
New learning always provides a challenge, no matter how enjoyable. This week I have two new pieces to keep me thinking and moving. I am learning a new tune with our little folk band. Lots of the music we play are Celtic reels, jigs and polkas – often in the key of ‘G’ or ‘D’ with very similar scales and fingering. My fingers seem to want to move to places were the tune does not go! I suppose the previously learned songs have constructed their own neural pathways in my brain, and as soon as I start to play something similar – they head for the old familiar route. Very useful in some contexts – not in others! My second challenge is to be able to complete ‘Snake Creeps Down’ in Tai Chi. This involves some hand movements which seems to me similar to the old trick of rubbing your tummy with one hand and patting your head with the other! (Have you tried this? It is not easy!) The only solution is – of course – practice. For me, the best practice is fully conscious, aware and consisting of lots of short repetition. This builds up the neural pathways that I want, and eventually what I want to achieve moves in to unconscious competence. It becomes part of me!
Still Time!
Having looked at the clock and finding it is late afternoon – and I have not yet touched my guitar, or practised Tai Chi – I am reminded of what I read on a teacher’s t-shirt a few years ago.
‘If you miss practice for one day – you will notice it,
If you miss practice for two days – your teacher will notice it,
If you miss practice for three days – everyone will notice it!’
Work in progress
I always look forward to meeting new people on my courses and am always delighted to see the results of their enthusiasm and practice. Recent groups have made exceptional progress in a very short time and have been a delight to be with this week. Keeping that progress going is the challenge now – for all of us!
Trying out Tai Chi?
People do Tai Chi for many reasons – perhaps the main one is that it feels so good when you are doing it. Firstly, of course you have to practise ‘stillness’ and later ‘stillness in movement’! Going through the early exercises, just being aware and noticing what is happening in you body is all that is required. Standing still, breathing quietly in the preparation stance is good practice for all that will follow in the coming weeks.
Beginning guitar?
If you have really only begun to play the guitar, where could you be after one week of practise? The fingers will still feel very awkward – they will not yet have gained the muscle memory for them to go into place automatically. You will, with concentration, be able to get them into postition, although you will probably be touching other strings. When you strum downwards, the sound may be not yet what you would like it to be! Your fingers may be sore! If this is where you are – well done! After one week, this is exactly what I would expect!
Practice makes…………?
I did my planning for next week’s groups today! I’m pleased that it’s all in folders ready to go. The planning is based on the belief that all the group participants will have practised during the week. If they have not yet been able to do that – they still have time. Ten minutes each day will be better than one hour just before the next session. Of course events may have made practise impossible. No problem! I will review the first session and encourage all participants to develop from where they are at that moment. Keep the vision of what you want to achieve firmly in mind. That is the driving force which will keep you going!
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