PRACTICE AND CULTIVATING SELF-AWARENESS

While practicing, many thoughtful individuals turn off their powers of discernment and awareness, becoming mindless and judgmental. Repetition takes the place of directed, conscious practice, while the global negative influence of judgment replaces discernment, damaging ourselves in the process. 

Discernment vs. Judgment

More often than not, we play games with ourselves when practicing/perfecting a skill.  Anything less than perfect isn't good enough. When we fall into the trap of judgment, we become cognitively lazy. Focused, analytical practice is replaced by the fuzzy, global and negatively-biased language of judgment. Rather than being targeted, discerning and specific, we subject ourselves to the kinds of unhelpful , negative criticism that we wouldn't use on our enemies. 

Become specific about what it is that needs to improve.  Don't fall into the trap of negative, global thoughts and emotions.  Be proactive and targeted in your approach to practice and analysis.

​The Path to Mastery: Left Brain for Analysis and Monitoring Skill Development

​Right Brain for putting it together in performance

The process of learning new skills requires concentration, analysis and discernment along the path to mastery.  This kind of analysis takes place when the mind is in a more 'left brain' state of activation. While this kind of focus is necessary during the learning process,  it actually diminishes the ability to perform well when it matters.  

As you become more adept at performing the tasks you have practiced, these skills become automatized, freeing up the mind to shift attention to higher order tasks. As a musician, this would correlate to the difference between learning the fingerings of a the notes of a work (LB/analytical) and developing clear ideas about the overall musical flow of the same work.

During performance, ideally the mind shifts to a 'right brain' state of awareness, where the focus is on the whole of the experience, rather than the individual components/skills/efforts that go into task execution.

Under stress, however, the mind often wants to seize control of these automatic actions, overburdening awareness with cognitive overload.  What was automatic and 'natural' as a result of extensive practice becomes effortful and difficult.  Second-guessing is often a part of this.  The phenomenon known as 'choking' can also result, significantly affecting the ability to perform well.

Why "perfect" isn't sufficient. 

Perfect isn't sufficient for a number of reasons.  First, 'perfect' is unclear.  What does perfect mean?  Does it mean flawless, with no mistakes?  Perfect doesn't give you direction to monitor your progress.  Being specific and noticing what's working (or not working) does, however.

Playing Well = GOOD
Not Playing Up to Standards = BAD

Stop playing the GOOD/BAD game.  Start to notice the words you use and feelings you experience  when things go well, and those you use when things aren't going so well.  As you begin to notice these patterns of thought, you start to become aware of patterns of mind you have had for many years.

NOTICE what's working and what's not.  If your performance was successful (i.e. you performed at or near the level you desired), fine.  Take notes and move ahead.  If things didn't go the way you wanted, pick yourself up, make notes on what you need to improve, and move ahead.  

The existence of Good implies Bad.  It's a zero sum game, so stop wasting time, energy and emotion and NOTICE, rather than JUDGE.

Focus on specifics in a proactive manner, and use the input you gained from your last performance to help you structure your practice and set future goals.

​Exercise Discernment, not Judgment.

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