Many experts agree that becoming a "master" in any particular field or pursuit requires one to put in a minimum of 10,000 hours of deliberate practice in that area. It's certainly true that it takes more than only time (e.g. proper technique; correct decisions about what specifically to be working on; etc.), but logging that much focused time will most definitely be beneficial to anyone striving to increase their abilities and realize their dreams.
If you're truly dead serious about that instrument you want to play professionally, or that art career you want, isn't it time to step up your game, start tracking those hours, and do the work?
This practice log/journal is the perfect tool for that purpose. You'll be guided along page-by-page, prompted to enter details about each practice session, including the date, time and duration; your mood and/or energy level going into the session; goals for that specific practice stretch; and what went well/poorly. There will also be room to write additional notes about that particular session, or perhaps thoughts for the next one.
Used daily, this log will help you record approximately three months' worth of practices. Near the back of the book, you'll find graphs that you can use to track your progress toward that 10,000-hour milestone.
Throughout these pages, you'll also find occasional journal pages, which will cue you to reflect and write your thoughts on a variety of matters related to the hard work you're undergoing.
Space will be reserved for you to list long-term goals, for your reference while working through this log, and for transferring into future logs that you move into. You should refer to this list as you plan goals and exercises for your individual practice sessions.
After completely filling this log, enter your date range and total hour information in the spots designated for each on the front/back covers, and do the accompanying math to find your total accumulated hours. As you work through additional logs, this will give you a quick reference of what you've accomplished and how the progress you're making toward that magical 10,000 hours!
About the Author: Mark Powers has studied, performed and taught throughout North America, as well as in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the South Pacific. As a teaching artist, he facilitates a variety of percussion programs - educating students of all ages in schools, presenting at youth/adult correctional facilities and leading businesses and organizations in rhythm-based leadership and team building workshops. Mark is a two-time TEDx speaker, co-author of "Alfred's Drumset Method: Book 2" and "The 2-in-1 Drummer," and author of "Solo in Style" (all three published by Alfred Music), as well as author of a children's board book titled, "I Want To Be A Drummer" (published by blue manatee press). He has written for Modern Drummer Magazine, Percussive Notes and other percussion publications, and releases 60-second video drum lessons on DrumItInAMinute.com Mark plays and endorses Tycoon Percussion instruments, REMO drumheads, Cajon Brush, and SABIAN cymbals. Find out more at PowersPercussion.com
