Many of you know I’m taking golf lessons on the side and have practically fell in love with the game.
But I just had a revelation from golf that could help you with your focus in music (and truth be told, some of the biggest breakthroughs come from other “places” like this.)
Think about the golf course for a second…
There are 18 holes.
You start at hole 1.
There is no way to move to hole 2 or 3 without first completing hole 1.
You can’t take out your driver, hit the ball halfway, and then decide you like hole 4 over to the left… and start aiming for it instead of finishing the hole you’re on.
There is an order and structure you have to follow. It’s inherent in the game.
Hole 1 leads to hole 2… then to hole 3… then to hole 4, and on to the final 18th hole (depending on the golf course).
But guess what many of us do in our musical pursuits?
We bounce around without focus… especially us ear musicians. We sit down to practice with no goals or purpose.
I attempted to tackle this issue with my free 37-pg report, “The Missing Chapter.” It talks about creating a structured practice session and all the elements that should be included.
But sometimes, it takes simple analogies like this golf one to reveal something so powerful to us. (If you want ongoing inspiration like this, listen to motivational programs by people like Tony Robbins).
So the next time you feel the urge to stop one thing prematurely and start another, remember the golf course.
Hole 1, hole 2, hole 3, hole 4.
If you finish a whole faster than you should (under par), great! Move on to the next hole… you’re ahead.
But the importance is that you have key goals (e.g. – playing a particular song in all 12 keys in 12 weeks) and you stick to them.
“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.”
-Tony Robbins
Until next time —
Related posts:
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Jermaine,
I really enjoy golf, but to much time on the Course, can cause trouble, at the Home
place. Like the golf course, we must manage our time carefully, and remember our our
commitments. Much Love, Richard Blocher
Agreed :-)
Thank you, Jermaine!
I needed this nudge, very badly! I have been taking aweekly class on concentration, and
have been quite aware of my need to master this skill, in order to accomplish my many goals. Improving my piano skills is up at the top of my list, but I have found it difficult to make the time to focus on it. I’ve been receiving your Monday minutes, with all of the great tips, and still manage to get distracted before I can actually get to a keyboard and put the lessons to use. That must change. This article is right on time!
Rob Harrison (Oakland,CA)
Thanks a lot Jermaine for the missing chapter it wld be of help
Hello Jermaine, Thanks alot for this life transforming message.Promise to stick to and master the art of sticking to one thing until it is done well.God bless.
Hi Jermaine,
This is good stuff. You have always given me down to earth stories that help to keep me focused. Thanks so much.
Jermaine, my musical journey is similar to that of he children of Israel. What should have taken a year eventually will take ten.
I am therefore grateful for your tremendous help in keeping me on track.
Good practical insight Jermaine! Thank you for sharing with us! :–)
i am really lucky to have found hear and play cos it has really given me variety of ideas as to how to approach music in unique ways. i have learn a lot. thanks soo much jermaine.
Thanks Jermaine,
You never cease to make my day with your inspiration and guidance.
I am making progress almost daily and am enjoying my better grasp of music in general and piano in particular.
Thanks Mr Germain,This massage is for me,I take it.God bless you.
Thanks sir…. I really Got got the lesson from this illustration. I started learning the piano with only one key when i have not come across hear and play and i have been trying hard to get to know all the keys. But this illustration really expanded my scope on the importance to play all the keys. Because i realised that i jumped one hole and rushed all the way without taking my time to go through all the holes. I promise to do as you illustrated here and God bless u.:)
Believe it or not nothing works without constant practice! Maybe that suggests the ants daily business without complaints , even no break,if I’m wright.No wonder my colleague in office says I am too academic in doing things. One medical Doctor said this about me during Piano lessons and I quote: “I know Kayode will always find the difficult parts of the
lessons easy” Well they are not easy,but become easy through persistent practice.
Mr. J .G. , I appreciate you! God bless!
Wow!!! this is awesome jermaine thanks. i have been looking for this
Thank you, Jermaine. That was an excellent analogy. I am sorry that I have not been able to keep up with all the lessons that you have been sending, due to my change in work schedule and other activities.
Robin