In the previous session, we talked about some ways that taking on a practice routine shares some similarities to taking up an exercise regimen. Exercises, whether physical or mental, require careful form, worthy challenges, and repetition over time.
Speaking of repetition, an easy way to organize the things you need to learn is by writing them down as repetitions (reps) and sets.
- Doing one rep would mean doing a particular exercise one time.
- The number of “reps” refers to how many times you’ll repeat that exercise in a single set.
- Finally, you decide how many sets of that exercise you want to perform.
Sample Practice Plan
Let’s say you’ve reviewed all the things you need to work on as a songwriter, and you’ve come up with the following practice plan:
- Performing — Practice singing chorus melody of [song name]. 3 sets, 10 reps per set
- Guitar — Select a tone at random and find it on each string of the guitar. 3 sets, 5 reps per set
- Writing — Freewrite for 10 minutes. 1 set, 1 rep
You can then approach this practice plan as a “circuit” workout, which means that you mix up your sets. You could do one set of the first exercise, one set of the second exercise, one set of the third, and then start over again until you’ve completed all the sets of each exercise.
In the worksheet for this session, you’ll make your own plan for working out desired skills.