How Effective Is Mental Practice for Memorizing New Pieces?
Subscribe to the weekly "audio edition" via iTunes Many well-known musicians have described using mental imagery to increase confidence, and hone and refine their skills over the years. There’s a lot of research support out there for imagery too, suggesting that mental practice can indeed be a useful supplement (though not replacement!) to your regular physical practice. So…if visualization can help us increase the level and consistency of our motor skills away from our instruments, could it…
Stressed, Anxious, and Feeling a Little Burned Out? Here’s How an “Awe Walk” Could Help.
Subscribe to the weekly “audio edition” via iTunes Whether it’s Zoom fatigue, pandemic fatigue, or just that part of the semester where the end is in sight but you’re not sure how you’re going to get there, learning to manage our stress and emotional well-being is an essential, but often neglected skill. One that can not only help us avoid burnout and “bonking” , but help us become more mentally tough, bounce back from adversity, and optimize performance too. That said,…
Bob Fisher: On How to Become Great at Something, and Setting Multiple World Records (at Age 50+)
A few years ago, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to get away from the computer now and again and be a little more active, I accompanied my son to his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, and signed up for some classes myself. Needless to say, rolling around on the ground, getting crushed and choked by a bunch of bigger, stronger, faster guys (and gals), many of whom were half my age, was totally out of my comfort zone. So I spent the first year or so feeling totally incompetent, very insecure, and wondering…
Having Long-Term Goals Is Important, but Research Suggests That We Should Enjoy the Little Things Too
Subscribe to the weekly "audio edition" via iTunes Greek philosopher Aristotle once argued that true well-being came from pursuing our best selves. On seeking to become the best versions of ourselves, maximizing our potential and acting in line with our deepest values and principles. Of course, there are others, like Socrates’ student Aristippus, who believed that the good life was all about doing things that are pleasant and enjoyable in the moment, and avoiding things that make us feel bad.…
Have a Tendency to Play “Too Safe” Under Pressure? Here’s a Daily Habit That Could Help You Play More Fearlessly on Stage.
Subscribe to the weekly "audio edition" via iTunes I was going through some old home videos the other day, and came across some clips of my kids jumping off of the diving board at the pool for the first time. Well, not jumping, so much as cautiously inching their way to the edge of the board in a half-crouch position with legs shaking and eyes wide open, and going into a full crouch before tottering over the edge into the waiting arms of their swimming instructor. Of course, as they grew older…