Result vs. Process
As good-natured, hard-working folks, we believe that good things come from hard work. This is certainly true, but it also has a bad side effect: micromanagement of process. It is human nature, especially adult human nature to focus on "how" we do things.
Somewhere along the way we are taught the way to solve a problem is through a process like: Attempt, analyze, modify approach, re-attempt, re-analyze, modify approach further, and so on and so on -- always operating with the philosophy that if we keep trying, revising and honing our process, eventually we will get it right.
There is a serious flaw with this too-common method.
We don’t keep our eyes on the prize.
Using that inefficient common method, we are putting process before the result.
In reality, doing it that way, we are working hard ONLY on refining the process (and expending tons of energy doing it) and not focusing on what is most important: the result. We are literally training ourselves only how work hard, not how to achieve results.
Practice makes Perfect, right?
Wrong.
Practice makes PERMANENT.
Our brains are incredibly complex. To try to micromanage every step is folly. Instead of trying to control it, let your brain work for you. Keep the result in mind and ahead of the process.
What I mean is have a "model" in your head at all times. Have an "ideal", know what you what "it" to be and lead with that.
There is no human way possible to control the steps that our brain makes in creating music (or much of anything, for that matter).
So, focus on that ideal in your head, then do what you can to mimic and replicate that ideal in real life. It might take a while, but it is actually much quicker than you might think, and this way there are less "ceilings" or "batting slumps" involved.
The learning process is not a curve, it is a spiral. Let things happen. We are MUCH smarter than we give ourselves credit for.
"Sing" from that ideal and much of the process will take care of itself. Take a chance, take an educated guess on what that ideal just might be like. Trust in the natural built-in efficiency that we were blessed with and let nature and music take its course.
Defining that ideal, however is a completely different subject...
...but in the mean time, just take a chance with it.
Somewhere along the way we are taught the way to solve a problem is through a process like: Attempt, analyze, modify approach, re-attempt, re-analyze, modify approach further, and so on and so on -- always operating with the philosophy that if we keep trying, revising and honing our process, eventually we will get it right.
There is a serious flaw with this too-common method.
We don’t keep our eyes on the prize.
Using that inefficient common method, we are putting process before the result.
In reality, doing it that way, we are working hard ONLY on refining the process (and expending tons of energy doing it) and not focusing on what is most important: the result. We are literally training ourselves only how work hard, not how to achieve results.
Practice makes Perfect, right?
Wrong.
Practice makes PERMANENT.
Our brains are incredibly complex. To try to micromanage every step is folly. Instead of trying to control it, let your brain work for you. Keep the result in mind and ahead of the process.
What I mean is have a "model" in your head at all times. Have an "ideal", know what you what "it" to be and lead with that.
There is no human way possible to control the steps that our brain makes in creating music (or much of anything, for that matter).
So, focus on that ideal in your head, then do what you can to mimic and replicate that ideal in real life. It might take a while, but it is actually much quicker than you might think, and this way there are less "ceilings" or "batting slumps" involved.
The learning process is not a curve, it is a spiral. Let things happen. We are MUCH smarter than we give ourselves credit for.
"Sing" from that ideal and much of the process will take care of itself. Take a chance, take an educated guess on what that ideal just might be like. Trust in the natural built-in efficiency that we were blessed with and let nature and music take its course.
Defining that ideal, however is a completely different subject...
...but in the mean time, just take a chance with it.
posted by TubaJoe at 6:58 PM
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