The Location

Make it easy to go right, and hard to go wrong. – Gretchen Rubin

Like all disciplines, studying music requires focus and clarity of thought. One of the best ways to achieve this is by creating a work space that enhances your ability to concentrate and helps you stay on target.

In her book, Better Than Before, author Gretchen Rubin explains that one of the most powerful strategies to create healthy habits is the Strategy of Convenience: “by making it convenient and pleasant, you make it easier on yourself to keep up with it.” It’s a Secret of Adulthood for Habits: Make it easy to go right, and hard to go wrong. You want to make it as easy as possible to just pop in your work space and get something done.

You need a few basics tools – your music, something to hold it, a metronome, a pencil, enough room to move your arms – and you need to work on your ability to zone out distractions and stay focused on the task at hand.