The story of the Hare and the Tortoise was told to me as a child and has stayed in my memory as a lesson I try to apply to my own life. In the past I was an all or nothing person. I could easily become obsessive with one thing and in doing this, all the other plates being balanced precariously, dropped to the floor with an almighty crash, but, as I experienced life, I realised that if I want to get the job done, achieve my goals, enjoy my journey, and achieve multiple tasks, ‘slow and steady’ has become my mantra.
You could say, it’s because I’m getting older and slower, and maybe this plays a role but I think it’s because you cannot achieve anything fast, until you have mastered it slowly. This definitely applies to piano practice. The time I say to my students, ‘slow down’. I have the same words ringing in my ears, from past teachers of mine, who were so frustrated with my impatience and ‘look! I can play it this fast’ attitude. Playing slowly and mindfully was boring and pointless.
Recently, I have started strength training. I listened to Steven Bartlett’s podcast, ‘diary with a ceo’ and one of his guests, Dr Gabrielle Lyon talks about the importance of being strong. I have been inspired by this particular podcast and am challenging myself to make small changes to the way I go about my day. I have been training with a Personal Trainer who has been helping me activate muscles that have not been used in a while. The correct positioning and technique is key to ‘firing up’ the intended muscles. Slow and mindful movements are helping me achieve new found strength. High repetition and low weight is helping me engage and work muscles and I am finding that this kind of workout is tiring and burns more fat and calories, than dripping with sweat on a treadmill.
Applying this mindset to piano practice works also, to build speed, great technique and fluidity. Learning an instrument and exercise has the same principles to success. They go hand in hand beautifully.
One thing that the tortoise did throughout the race, was to keep going. He didn’t stop and have a nap, he was focused on finishing the race and he did this through consistency and persistence. There are certainly days when I struggle to keep going. My inner voice try’s to convince me to have a rest, take a day off, but this is crucial if you have a place to get too. Dr Gabrielle Lyon says don’t make goals, have standards. That spoke to me. I need discipline and not to over think stuff. Have a standard, to get up and workout. Have a standard to practice slowly and consistently. It is not up for debate or change. Make it happen. Be constant. Keep going.
Comments