It's Hard To Be Proactive - But You Can

Being someone who procrastinates and becomes easily overwhelmed by choice you would imagine that I would NOT be naturally proactive and you'd be right. However, the circumstances of my life (including my husband being totally useless at getting anything done!!), running my business and raising my kids pretty much without any support forced me to change.

Not having a support cushion of friends or family I HAD to become proactive and that is now one of the most crucial skills that is supporting me on this journey.

So how do you 'become' proactive?

For me the biggest and hardest thing was being honest with myself which is something everyone thinks they do but most do not (sorry but it's true). The harsh truth, sometimes life is full on and there's no more room but usually if you want to do something you will & if you need to find time for something or someone you will. If you can't chances are you simply don't want to or don't care enough to (yes of course there are exceptions but mostly this is true). If you accept this and be hard on yourself when you make excuses you will improve straight away. This is not easy but it is true - try it.

Next thing I learned was what I call the 'jump' skill, that hold your breath and just go mechanism that we all use to jump into a cold pool or eat something we really don't want to!! You have the skill already, training yourself to use it at will is hard. Next time you begin to think of a reason you can't or think about doing it later - jump - just do it .... NOW. It really works.

IMPORTANT - A little proviso on the aforementioned tips - If you are not ready, if your heart isn't in it you will not be able to do this properly and it could do more harm than good so make sure your head is in the right place because you will be going far outside your comfort zone. Once you are ready being able to do this is life changing, at least it was for me.

And lastly think ahead, plan, set goals and tell people about them .... commit. Take away the option to not do something. See excuses as something to avoid not something to depend on.

When you learn to do these you will find you can achieve so much more. It's HARD, finding excuses is so much easier and I never ever judge others by what I can or cannot do. Just because I can find the time, I respect that others can't whatever their reason. This is a personal skill to enhance me and help with my goals not a contest. 😊. I am still very much developing this myself especially in areas of extreme discomfort but I am aware of them. I'm aware of the excuses I make, of things I avoid but I'm not ready to confront everything YET! One step at a time and every time you take one be proud of yourself, just always keep your eyes forward.

I hope those few tips helps you in not just your music practice but life in general.