Over coming my bad practice habits part 2

I had a date for the Grade 10 exam, a few months out. Whoa! Piano thoughts dominated my waking hours for the next 90 days. 

First thing I learned? Thinking about piano is a form of practice. In my mind I saw myself performing the music. My mind sought solutions to tricky parts I saw coming in the music. I was excited. 

Second thing I learned? A firm date quickly eliminated procrastination. 

Third thing? This was really exciting. As Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers said, "pressure is a privilege". This was real, this was difficult, but this was doable with focused effort and lots of practice. 

Fourth thing? I started to listen in earnest to both professional recordings of my program and myself. Record, play, listen became my method. 

I'd learned how to practice. I nailed it and won a scholarship for the highest mark in my district. 

David