Our lives are a series of habits.  We repeat actions and thoughts, deliberately or otherwise, that are fundamental in shaping the way we spend our lives on the planet.  From drinking the cup of joe first thing in the morning, to tying the right shoelaces before your left ones, to always checking the cell phone in the elevator (to avoid inevitably awkward small talk, of course), daily actions are determined by a sort of routine.

As musicians, it is absolutely instrumental (no pun intended) to be able to form reliable habits quickly.  Each technique [vibrato, sight reading, bow stroke, scale pattern], each piece [symphony, concerto, etude,quartet], is the product of habit formation.  

To understand this is to understand basic neuroscience — connections between neurons are insulated by a fatty substance called myelin.  Not only does myelin increase the speed of processing between critical neurons and ensure reliable firing of electric impulses, but myelin has the ability to continually grow as well. Through the process of repetition and reflection, neuron pathways are increasingly insulated and reinforced by the protective myelin sheaths. The more repetition, the more insulation, the more natural a process feels. This is why riding a bike, simple math problems, and recalling your phone number feels intuitive.

 To live purposefully, is to manage and form habits at will.  The following steps are the railroad tracks to success. Simply propose a habit, commit to the process, and watch the positive change in your life.

    1. Define.  Clarify exactly what repeated action or thought you hope to reinforce.  Specificity and reasonableness are key [ex. 10 pushups and a 1 mile run every morning rather than”being fit”, intentional vibrato on every note rather than “musicality”].

    2. Make it your normal.  Puzzle through the logistics and implications of your new habit. Exactly what part of the day/week/practice will you perform it, what will you need to achieve and measure success [metronome, journal, weights, camera, etc], and what is plan-B if your daily routine is disrupted?  Most importantly, acknowledge that this new habit is a change you are making for the rest of your life and is now part of who you are. Full commitment (and the excitement/fear that accompanies it) is an essential part of the process. Tell those around you about your new change to keep you accountable, and collect motivation for the moments that will be challenging.

    3. Execute.  Just once, make the first step.

   4. Execute more.  It is in mindful repetition that myelin grows, and actions become natural.  Allow your brain to perform this process.  Fulfill the plan you established, exactly as you crafted it.  Mentally acknowledge the desire to shortcut or reason your way out of the challenge, but don’t act on the impulses. Instead, reflect on your true motivations and remember that this is now part of who you are.

This published entry, is the first execution of my goal to start blogging.  Not every post will be lengthy, revolutionary, or profound, but I plan to routinely offer my discoveries to this outlet.  Ultimately, I dream that this expression will enrich my educational experience and reach out to a greater community of teachers in training as well.

More resources on habit formation. [Leo Babauta “36 Lessons I’ve Learned About Habits“][The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle].