So what are you going to practise ?

Hi guys,
long time no update. I'm sorry I've been really busy with school and lots of playing around on my drumset. I can honestly say that during these, let's say 4 weeks since I first posted on this blog, I haven't really advanced at all.
I started to ask myself why, when every day after school I went to my rehearsing space and play for 2-3 hours or have 2 band rehearsals and sit behind the kit for as long as 5 hours.

The answer is simple - just sitting behind the kit = 0 progress. When playing you're making the things you know solid, but you're not learning new things effectively.
Jamming around on the kit is sure fun and sometimes it's good to forget practising and just play around. In fact when you are having the fun of your life, just have fun . But when you're going to practise, you should practise, in order to establish a form of discipline.

So how to practise effectively ?
I've found these points online, I will post the full link at the end of this blog.
Honestly - which do you actually do each session ? ;)

+spend most time on new challenges
+concentrate on point of exercise
+visualize before playing; get away from the ‘body leading the mind’ angle
+play as if in performance
+repeat exercises slowly to build muscle memory
+keep a positive mental attitude
+record yourself regularly to gauge improvement and spot weaknesses
+plan your work and work your plan

I think MOST of us know these things already, but we just sometimes try to block it out.
I know I sure am', and by writing this blog I hope to change this and really get my butt to practise properly.

So start by asking yourself - what am I going to practise today ? :)

Good luck and keep practising, but above all --- HAVE FUN !!!

ps.- this is a WONDERFUL link about effective practise, definetely check it out. http://www.jazzwise.com/catalog/media/pracrout/practiceroutine.pdf

-and some motivation, this guys is simply great :D