I teach music. I sometimes prompt my students, “practice makes…” and if they’ve heard the expression they chime in, “perfect”. Then I tell them “I disagree, I think practice makes permanent!”
What I practice is what sticks. The more I practice it, the more indelibly it is written into my subconscious, wired into my nervous system, and I’m therefore able to perform it in that same manner with ease.
Next I exaggerate holding my instrument poorly, playing carelessly and sloppily. I ask “if I practice like this, what will I get good at? What’s gonna stick?”
“Playing like that!”
“Precisely! Practice makes permanent!”
Such a simple concept and yet so powerful. Just as I can practice carelessly, or fail to listen to the quality of my tone, or the intonation of my notes, so can I speak and think carelessly, falling into well-practiced patterns of fear and negativity.
I’ve been witness to this all week, and honestly quite aware of this habit even before I embarked on the Master Key Experience.
I’m really good at catastrophizing in my mind. I catch myself regularly thinking of the worst possible eventualities for the circumstances in my life, or in the lives of those I love most.
I have realized how often I make decisions based on these unreasonable fears. Through faulty thinking I somehow believe that by expecting the worst, I’m preparing myself to defend against whatever catastrophe may beset me.
This is the opposite of the constructive imagination that Haanel writes about in Part 8 – rather it is destructive imagination. It is a well-practiced skill that does not serve me well at all. So I am committing to a new practice!
I keep working on my mental diet, replacing fear and negativity with hope and constructive imagination. I am thankful to have some tools tucked inside my book, and to have a community of support in my MKE tribe. Practice makes permanent!
Dear Amy, I know this so well from everyday life, we battle with self-created “dragons” and hesitate to step into our own power. But what happens when I stand fully in my unique strength? What happens when I let my light shine? What happens when I live and show my love? What happens when I hold the instrument correctly and practice every day?
Music is one of the most beautiful forms of expression on Earth! And you are such a gift, the way you share it is truly unique!
Precisely! Thanks Candas
Love this Amy, “Practice Makes Permanent” such a simple and profoundly true aphorism. Makes me know I want to be very attuned to Mark’s PPPPP: Persistent Practice Produces Perfect Presentations
Thanks Janet! And thanks for your consistent support throughout this journey.
Thanks Chandrashekar. And thank you for your consistent words of encouragement on mine and everyone’s blogs!
Thanks Davene! I just submitted my bio. Mahalo!!!
Great comment as always, Arlene. Mahalo for your consistent conscientiousness and committment to the #MasterKeyExperience
You can’t, or maybe you can, imagine how ecstatic your blog makes me feel! Mahalo for your insights. I adore ‘practice makes permanent’ – that’s magic and I’m gonna use it LOL – Would you do me a favor and put your bio in because I’d love to feature your blog! All the instructions are here – https://2024-25.masterkeyexperience.blog/author-bio/
Congrats Amy on committing to a new practice! Practice does make permanent!
“Practice makes permanent” – I love that, Amy. This is such a clear and powerful way to frame the work of the mental diet. You’ve connected the dots perfectly between a musical instrument and the mind. Keep up the great work!
I love this, Amy. My daughter took voice lessons for a while, and she said pretty much the same thing. It is such a powerful reminder to practice correctly!