KEY POINTS ‘© Make playing and practicing two separate activities @ Remember that playing is equally important, just make sure it doesn't ‘creep into your practice time and create a diversion. Set aside separate time for playing, preferably after the practice session, Record a practice session. ‘The purpose here is not to record an exercise, but co record how you are practicing, Schedule at least an hour for ‘your session, choose one oF two things (not more) that you'd like to focus on before you start, and then set a timer and work on them exclusively for 20 minutes. Afterwards, just play for as long as you ‘want, having the most fun with the least amount of pressure possible. ‘# Experience how it fels to do just what you set out to do, secure in the knowledge that youl still have enough time to do whatever you want to do later on. Did che practicing feel different? If yes, how so? Was the playing more enjoyable? © Did you find that you could have outlined more clearly exactly what you wanted to practice? ‘© Did you feel a heightened sense of focus and productivity from the awareness that you were being recorded? Listen back to the recording and sce how you did. Write down what you find out and save these notes for later. AONMENT: THE ULTIMATE PRACTIC MA ENVIRONMENT: THE ULTIMATE PRACTICE ROOM MAKEOVER Even if you approach your practice with the focus of a yogi and tireless motivation, your environment can be an obstacle to making real progress In this chapter we will focus on creating an environment that supports your goals, so your practicing can flow with the least amount of friction. One of the main goals of e-commerce companies is to reduce friction, or the amount of effort it takes for you co get where you want to go. How ‘many clicks until you can buy the product? They found out the more links you have to click, the more hurdles you have to overcome, the more decisions you have to make, the more things you need to think about before you can do the thing you set out to do (and that they want you to do), the less likely you are co complete the transaction. Friction has such an impact on our behavior that companies will go to great lengths to eliminate it. From shopping centers to trade shows, vendors will even go so far as to match the hallway flooring so visitors don't perceive a border between the path they're already on and the entrance to the store or booth. Again, the more friction there is, the less likely you ate co reach the goal—or even to get going in the first place. T've found this is also true when it comes to my fitness routine. If I wake up in the morning and have to search for my workout clothes, ifI dont have bottled water on hand, if my running shoes are still damp and I can’ do the workout right away, chances are I'll find a reason to not do it at all. For musicians, this question becomes: How can we create a practice environment that offers the least amount of friction, both before and during your practice? I recommend attacking this problem using two methods: visualization and optimizing.