Thinking about the future can derail your practice today
Today I'd like to share about a bad habit that I used to have, one that I see in my students from time to time. This habit involves taking an idea that seems fun and overthinking it to the point of becoming intimidated by the possible futures it might bring. Can you relate to this?
For example, over the years I've had many students ask me to help them learn to play the Moonlight Sonata. Usually I encourage them, tell them it’s a great idea, and agree that we can figure it out together.
However, what often happens next is that the student will leapfrog over their current idea and start dreaming aloud about their possible future with this song. They might start daydreaming about what it would be like to play the song in front of their friends or as part of a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam.
To be clear, I’m not saying there's anything wrong with thinking about the future of your piano journey. Thinking about the future can be motivating and help you aspire to new goals.
The problem arises when students start planning for that future instead of savouring the joyful spark they just had to learn how to play the song.
For instance, a student who daydreams of playing the Moonlight Sonata at an RCM exam might then ask me about the grade level of that song, to fill out the details of their fantasy exam. After I tell them, I notice a small burst of excitement in their eyes — but then something shifts and they suddenly get very anxious. Their musical goal, which seemed so exciting just a second ago, now appears very daunting as they realize what else preparation would be required for a Royal Conservatory exam at that level (other songs, scales, etc.), and their anxiety snowballs.
At this point, one of two things usually happens. They might abandon the song entirely because the greater vision they have held for themselves is so daunting. Or, they become so fixated on this new, wider goal that they become determined to achieve their new, great vision despite it not carrying the initial spark that inspired them.
To me, neither of these scenarios sound good. This, to me, is the danger of overthinking your future.
Many online advice sources suggest you can avoid the feeling of overwhelm by breaking down your new, big goals into smaller steps. But I personally believe this approach is backwards. To me, the issue isn't the goal itself: it's forgetting the initial spark you had and assuming one specific future is the only one you can settle on.
It’s important to remember that if you hold too tightly to one picture of the future, you can actually limit yourself by your own beliefs! It’s way more enjoyable and expansive to keep an open mind. You don't know which future awaits you once you learn this song. There are countless possibilities, and it's not your job to predict which one will come to fruition.
As a musician, your sole responsibility is to follow the creative spark you feel in the moment, identifying what feels right for you right now and pursuing it. If you're driven to learn the Moonlight Sonata, don't dwell on where you might play it someday or what it might lead to. Instead, bring yourself back to the spark that started it all. Just relish the experience of learning a beautiful song. This ability is truly a gift.
Spending too much time contemplating your possible future is an easy way to derail an otherwise enjoyable practice session at your piano. So please don't let your mind wander there. Focus on what feels good at the moment and appreciate the opportunity to chase that creative spark at your piano.
Have fun!