We talk a lot about talent, and we hear artists worry about it quite a bit. But regardless of what talent you may or may not have, it will not go far without a clear vision of what you want, and the determination to get there. Focus is so essential, yet we don’t practice it as a skill the way we do ear training, technique or sightreading.
The good news is that this skill can indeed be built, but don’t wait. Whether you try meditation, reading, classes, tai chi or other methods, it’s an area where being proactive counts.
It’s also an area where we can help: if you have a big project coming up, or just want to clarify your vision of your future in general, come to Glendale on June 26 and take our workshop, “Planning Anything“, to learn techniques that can literally chance your life. Learn more and register here
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
— Bruce Lee
Articles
“7 Tips to Improve Your Attention Span and Focus Instantly“, Lifehacker
“Improve Your Concentration“, MindTools
Meditation app
Headspace is an innovative program that teaches meditation skills and can help improve focus, productivity and that ubiquitous buzz, “mindfulness”. The first ten lessons are free, to give you a chance to dip a toe in and see if it’s a good fit for you. After that, you can pay a monthly or annual fee for full access to a huge library of guided sessions, many of which are targeted at specific goals or situations, such as conquering fear of flying, “SOS” sessions for dealing with stressful times… and improving focus. Well worth a look, and available for Apple, Android and Amazon devices.
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life — Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process
by Thomas M. Sterner
Early life is all about trial-and-error practice. If we had given up in the face of failure, repetition, and difficulty, we would never have learned to walk or tie our shoes. So why, as adults, do we often give up on a goal when at first we don’t succeed? In his study of how we learn (prompted by his pursuit of disciplines such as music and golf), Sterner has found that we have forgotten the principles of practice — the process of picking a goal and applying steady effort to reach it. The methods Sterner teaches show that practice done properly isn’t drudgery on the way to mastery but a fulfilling process in and of itself, one that builds discipline and clarity.
About $9 (Paperback or Kindle), or just $6 (Audible) from Amazon — Buy now
This is part of a weekly inspirational series on the Singerpreneur blog and social media for Lauri’s List. The quotes are also eventually archived on Facebook and Pearltrees.
