It’s easy to get stuck in a drumming rut. Sometimes it feels like we aren’t making progress and haven’t learned anything new in a long time. Fortunately, there is a simple strategy to turn things around. With it, you can transform stale practices into opportunities for unstoppable progress.
It’s easier to quadruple your drumming skill than it is to increase it by 50%. I realize that may sound crazy, but it’s absolutely true. The reason isn’t found in some complex mathematical formula. Instead it’s based on our need for momentum and motivation.
Do you remember what it was like when you learned your very first drum beat? Do you remember the feeling of achievement when you realized you could actually play the drums? Did that feeling of accomplishment motivate you to want to learn more?
The fact is, we are heavily motivated by seeing real results. Not just any results. We need irrefutable evidence of progress that our brains simply cannot ignore. That is the secret to creating the momentum needed to boost our drumming progress.
It’s not unusual to feel like we aren’t getting anywhere. I can’t count how many times it has felt like I haven’t done anything significant for several months – in drumming or any other major area of life. Then I look through my written goals and am absolutely amazed. My mood instantly changes as I review the many things I’ve accomplished. All of a sudden, I’m full of energy and ready to take on something new!
This is why it’s critical to keep track of our drumming progress. Specifically, I recommend keeping a practice journal to track your daily accomplishments. This simple act will have an immediate impact in how you perceive your practice sessions.
Tap into your natural human desire for ritual. In other words, turn the act of “journaling” into your own unique experience. For some this means using a special pen with uniquely colored ink – like brown or purple. For others, it means using several colored highlighters to make certain entries really stand out.
You might also consider getting a high quality leather notebook to further enhance the experience. The point is to have fun tracking your progress, so it’s something that you look forward to doing after every practice. When it’s fun, it’s easy to maintain.
Be very specific about what you’ve accomplished. Not only does this make it easier to review progress in the future, but it also affects the way we think while practicing. Knowing that we are going to write a detailed journal entry forces us to be clear about what we are practicing.
In addition to adding raw detail, make entries personal. Consider describing how you felt after learning something new, or listing what you are excited about accomplishing next. Take some time to really enjoy every step of the journey.
There is a fine line between focusing on the future and getting stuck in the past. It’s up to you to find the balance for yourself. Personally, I like to review the last day or two of my journal just for reference, and then focus on the future. It’s only every few months that I’ll take the time to browse much older entries to see how far I’ve come.
As described earlier, nothing beats the feeling of being pleasantly surprised by just how much has been accomplished. It’s very important to celebrate this progress and then use it as fuel for future goals – and it is the key to maintaining a steady source of momentum and motivation as a drummer.
Rick Kettner is an active drummer and the co-founder of Drumeo - an online community dedicated to the education, inspiration, and support of drummers.
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