Though I rarely watch television, I was recently visiting family for a few days. After a full day of activity, we gathered in the den to relax and watch a reality-style documentary that sounded interesting. The series followed the real-life adventures and challenges of six outdoor survival experts living in remote wooded regions of Canada. Each individual was rugged, resourceful, and deliberate in facing both the elements and the dangers of wilderness survival. From gathering food and building sturdy shelters to protecting themselves from wild animals, these men and women were truly impressive.

In one interview, a French woman commented on the importance of planning each day's activities with great deliberation. She explained that every decision required a careful assessment of safety, potential dangers, available provisions, and the demands of the environment. Essential considerations included the limited daylight available for work, changing weather conditions, the need for rest, food supplies, and personal safety. One point captured my attention: the constant awareness of the energy required for every task. An honest assessment of her physical limitations was not merely wise—it could prove to be the difference between life and death.

Most of us live surrounded by modern conveniences that make many daily tasks efficient and, at times, almost effortless. Even so, our days remain limited, and so does our physical and mental energy. We make lists, run errands, answer emails, texts, and phone calls, and attend to the practical needs of ourselves and those who depend on us. These responsibilities are important and necessary, and they consume a significant portion of our available resources.

Alongside these ordinary responsibilities, we also make room for creative pursuits. Piano study invites us to engage deeply, to explore, and to cultivate artistic skill. Yet how often do we thoughtfully assess the genuine demands of meaningful practice? Do we count the cost of working through each stage of the learning process? Like the wilderness survivor who carefully measures the energy required for every undertaking, the thoughtful pianist benefits from recognizing that artistic growth also requires wise stewardship of time, attention, and effort. Progress is not simply a matter of working harder, but of investing our limited resources deliberately in the tasks that matter most.

Practice Hints for Effective Time and Mental Management

Just as careful management of physical energy is essential for sustaining technical control and expressive playing, effective practice also depends on the thoughtful management of time, attention, and mental effort. Productive practice is not determined by the number of hours spent at the keyboard, but by the quality and focus of those hours.

The following strategies can help pianists practice more efficiently:

• Set clear objectives. Begin each session with one or two specific goals, such as mastering a difficult passage, improving rhythmic precision, or refining tone quality. Clear goals provide direction and prevent unfocused repetition.
• Practice in focused intervals. Work in concentrated blocks of 20–40 minutes, followed by short breaks. Brief periods of rest help restore concentration and reduce mental fatigue, allowing for greater efficiency over longer practice sessions.
• Prioritize difficult material. Tackle technically or musically demanding passages early in the session, when concentration and mental energy are at their highest. Easier or review material can be practiced later.
• Use deliberate repetition. Rather than repeating passages mechanically, identify specific problems, test possible solutions, and evaluate the results. Each repetition should have a clear purpose.
• Alternate practice tasks. Switching periodically between technical exercises, repertoire, sight-reading, and musical interpretation helps maintain attention while engaging different cognitive processes.
• Practice mentally away from the keyboard. Score study, visualization, silent fingering, and auditory imagination strengthen memory and deepen musical understanding while reducing physical fatigue.
• Monitor concentration. When attention begins to decline or errors increase consistently, take a brief break or change activities instead of continuing ineffective practice.
• Reflect after each session. Spend a few minutes reviewing what was accomplished, identifying remaining challenges, and planning the next practice session. This reinforces learning and promotes continuous improvement.

By managing time, attention, and mental effort as carefully as physical energy, pianists can achieve more consistent progress, reduce inefficient practice habits, and maintain both motivation and long-term performance quality. Just a few lessons from the North Woods. 

Dr. Steven L. Havens