Know Your Limitations: Push to Exceed Them

This post is about pacing yourself, understanding your limitations, and knowing how to set new limitations. With anything in life, there are limits to how far one can go, how far one is willing to go, and how to develop new limits. The same can be said for music and mindfulness.

Anytime you start something new, it is important to realize there will be limiting factors. Things such as knowledge, confortability, range, experience, and understanding can all be limiting factors for new challenges. Acknowledging these limitations is sometimes difficult, but always an important part of growth. If you are new to music, broadening your musical horizons, or trying to become more mindful/mentally sound, there will be barriers initially that can be discouraging. I am here to tell you it is normal and do not be discouraged.

Musically: Very few people pick up a musical instrument and are naturally gifted. No one that I have ever met has just miraculously awoken to find that they can read and interpret chords or sheet music, musical notes or tones, or all the learning needed to play an instrument (or sing) effectively. It takes practice, dedication, hard work, and this is accomplished by first realizing that there are limitations to what you can do and then working to exceed those limitations and set new ones.

Being Mindful: While some would have you believe that they wake everyday naturally sirene and peaceful, for most this is not the case. More often than not, people are greeted each day with the tasks and stressors before them already on their mind. Natural serenity is not likely for most and we have to work hard to find that internal peace that motivates us. But, new limitations can be achieved through that hard work and a closer walk with daily mindfulness is perfectly achievable.

Pointers: Some things that I have learned in this journey that may serve to help others are following: Learn no more than 2 new things at a time. All too often we try to learn multiple nuances simultaneously and we reach our burnout much faster. Initially limiting yourself to just 2 new things at a time will give you new skills to master without making you feel like you are failing at a multiplicity of things. Learn from failure, allow yourself to fail without anger or frustration, some of the greastest lessons we learn in life are motivated by our greatest failures. Meditate and reflect; spend time in meditation with soft music to reflect on perceived failures until you can see the lesson you have taught yourself through failing. Finally, set realistic expectations/limits for yourself and stick to your objective. Almost as important as learening from failure is the ability to realize when you have set yourself up for failure, this teaches a lesson in setting expectations that you know may be a challenge but are achievable. In other words, don't expect to learn every life lesson the first time you meditate, or an entire song the first day of playing an instrument, or expect to write a chart topper on the first draft of a new song. Set a pace that is aligned with your life and does not add undue stress right out of the gate.

In conclusion, think about your limitations before setting out on a new adventure. Think about what may present a barrier to learning something new. Once you have identified those barriers, begin setting objectives that will reach those barriers in a timely manner without adding stress and then break through those barriers and find the new limitations. Remember, the road to success is paved with all the best intentions, but as with the streets you drive down, you may find potholes that you need to fill! Best of luck on your journey and stay forever mindful.

~the Mindful Musician