Have you ever poured hours into practicing, only to come back the next day and feel like… nothing stuck?
Or maybe you’re working harder than ever, but your progress still feels slow. Frustrating, right?
Here’s the thing: more practice isn’t always better practice.
If you’re not approaching it the right way, you’re just reinforcing bad habits and wasting precious time.
That’s why I want to share a simple 3-step system that will help you get more focus, more clarity, and better results in the practice room—without adding extra hours to your day.
These steps are built on what we know about how the brain actually learns—so instead of just repeating things endlessly, you’re helping your brain absorb, retain, and apply what you practice.
And trust me, when you work with your brain instead of against it, your progress will skyrocket.
Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Prime Your Mind (1 Minute That Changes Everything)
Most people jump straight into practicing without a second thought. But have you ever noticed how much better your sessions go when you feel focused, clear, and motivated?
That’s where priming comes in.
Before you even play a note:
Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Set an intention for your session—what do you want to accomplish?
Visualize yourself playing with ease and confidence.
Channel feelings of excitement and gratitude instead of stress and pressure.
Why does this work? Because your brain follows your focus. If you start with frustration or overwhelm, your brain goes into survival mode. But if you start with clarity and purpose, your brain optimizes for learning.
This tiny mindset shift trains your brain to work with you, not against you.
Step 2: Take Micro Rests (10 Seconds of Magic)
Here’s a fun fact: your brain actually learns more during breaks than when you’re actively practicing.
Wait… what?!
Yes! Studies show that when we pause for just a few seconds, our brain replays and reinforces what we just worked on. It’s like hitting the “save” button in your practice.
So instead of grinding through a passage 20 times in a row, try this:
After a few reps, pause for 10 seconds.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and do nothing.
Let your brain process what you just played.
It sounds almost too simple to work, but it does!
And the best part? These short rests also reset your focus and prevent mental fatigue, meaning you’ll practice longer with better concentration.
A simple way to remind yourself:
Set a timer every 2-3 minutes as a cue to pause.
Use a post-it note on your stand as a reminder to rest every time you see it.
Take a break every 5 repetitions of a passage.
Try it—your brain (and fingers!) will thank you.
Step 3: Use Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) to Lock It In
You’ve finished practicing… now what?
Most musicians walk away and move on with their day. But what if you could supercharge everything you just learned in just 10 minutes?
Enter Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR).
This is a simple guided relaxation technique that helps your brain store and organize everything from your session, making it easier to recall later.
It’s like giving your computer time to process a big download so everything is ready when you need it.
Here’s how to do it:
Lie down or sit comfortably.
Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
Listen to a guided NSDR session (search “NSDR” or “Yoga Nidra” on YouTube—there are tons of free options).
Not only will this help lock in your progress, but it also reduces stress, increases focus, and improves overall performance.
Don’t skip this step—it’s a game-changer!
Your 3-Step Practice Boost (Recap)
To get better results in LESS time, try this simple practice routine:
1️⃣ Prime Your Mind – Take 1 minute to set your focus and channel confidence.2️⃣ Take Micro Rests – Pause for 10 seconds every few minutes to help your brain absorb what you’re practicing.3️⃣ Do NSDR After You Play – Spend 10 minutes on guided relaxation to lock in your learning.
That’s just 15 minutes total to completely transform the way you practice.
Try It for a Week—You’ll Be Shocked at the Difference
I challenge you to try this for one week and see how much faster and easier your progress feels.
Instead of practicing harder, practice smarter.
If you want to hear me break this down in even more detail, listen to Episode 214 of the Mind Over Finger Podcast now!
And if you’re ready to go even deeper—if you want to create a personalized practice plan that works for YOU—let’s talk!
Book a free discovery call with me at www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching, and let’s make sure your practice is helping you reach your biggest goals.
🚀 Let’s make every practice session count!
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