Practicing is difficult.

First, we must find time. This can feel impossible amidst a flurry of homework, rehearsals, sports practices, dance classes, and more.

Then, we must find focus in order to be productive. Without fail, we become distracted, thinking about what's for dinner or what's next on our to-do list.

And, of course, we must practice consistently. We need to repeat exercises and reinforce corrections to truly improve.

For all of these reasons (and more), we often shy away from building a strong practice routine. If you've struggled to establish your practice routine, you're not alone. I often catch myself relaxing into looser practice habits: I'll skip a day here or there, focus less, or even check my email in the middle of singing a scale.

This happens to everyone. When it does, we can remember some best rules of practice to stay positive and productive:

Start Small

Believe it or not, five minutes of focused practice is more valuable than an hour of distracted practice. If you don't know where to start with your practice routine, aim for 5-10 minutes three times a week. You'll be surprised how quickly the time flies!

Set a Goal

Decide exactly what you want to work on before you start practicing. This will give you a clear direction and ensure that you feel good about how you used your time. Not sure what to work on? Ask me!

Make a Plan

Schedule your practice sessions in advance. Choose days and times, mark them in your calendar/phone, and if you need to skip a session (it happens!), replace it with another specific time.

Stay Accountable

Share your practice plan with a parent, teacher, or friend. They will help support you in following through with your great plan for success.

Parents

If you're feeling unsure of how to support your student's practice, you can follow the same tips - Start Small, Set a Goal, and Make a Plan.

Start by asking your student an easy question about practicing - do they enjoy doing it? Why or why not?

Set a Goal to acknowledge your student's efforts when they do practice.

Make a Plan with your student about you can best support them - would weekly check ins be helpful or does your student respond best to daily reminders?

In the end, no practice routine is perfect, and we all need to start somewhere.

If you’re looking for extra support on how to build your own, unique practice routine, the WD Studio Team would love to help you. Each of us has developed our own routines, and we understand firsthand the challenges and rewards. Click the button below to let us know how we can assist you.