{"id":84431,"date":"2020-01-28T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/?p=84431"},"modified":"2020-10-22T03:12:46","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T10:12:46","slug":"tq-michael-john-bobak-comfort-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/tq-michael-john-bobak-comfort-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Artist Michael John Bobak on Practicing Outside the Comfort Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll progress takes place outside the comfort zone.\u201d <\/em><\/p> Michael John Bobak<\/em> <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

To\nlearn and grow most quickly, we can seek the very edge of our current\nability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To\npractice, we need to find challenge, but not too much challenge. It\nneeds to be hard, but not too hard. We should be able to succeed, but\nonly if we give our complete attention and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nthe challenge is too easy, we become bored. This often happens when\nwe play guitar only for fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While\nit\u2019s great to play for relaxation and entertainment, this only goes\nso far. Eventually, we grow tired of doing the \u201csame old stuff\u201d.\nWithout proper challenge, we don\u2019t enjoy it as much as we could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we need meaningful work. We need to strive and stretch. We need ride the edge, and not know for certain whether we\u2019ll succeed or not. It\u2019s this element of danger that brings the thrill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But\nwhat do we do when we go too far outside of our comfort zone? We may\nfeel overwhelmed. We may get discouraged. We may feel hopeless or\ndefeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this happens, we need only take a short break<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcus Aurelius<\/a> wrote about this in his personal journal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNowhere\nyou can go is more peaceful, more free of interruptions, than your\nown soul\u2026Retreat to consult your own soul and then return to face\nwhat awaits you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we return, we can adjust the challenge to rebuild our confidence. We can slow down<\/a>, or reduce complexity<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then,\nas we can, we can flirt with the other side of the ledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, as we meet challenge after challenge, we push our abilities further and further. We get better. What used to be impossible becomes our new comfort zone. And so we find new challenges<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By learning this way, music never becomes easier. It\u2019s always hard. But the challenges change. They become greater and we are more able to meet them. We play at a higher level<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But learning at any level, from beginner<\/a> to master, feels about the same, so long as we stay just outside the comfort zone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here. \u201cAll progress takes place outside the comfort zone.\u201d Michael John Bobak To learn and grow most quickly, we can seek the very edge of our current ability. To practice, we need to find challenge, but not too much challenge. It needs … <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2973,"featured_media":84433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[328],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tuesday-quotes"],"yoast_head":"\nArtist Michael John Bobak on Practicing Outside the Comfort Zone<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Artist Michael John Bobak on Practicing Outside the Comfort Zone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. 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