439 - How To Beat The Danger of Distractions (Dojo Conversations Episode 109)

Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Ever tried to multitask? Putting aside the fact that multitasking is a myth (more on that in the episode...) did you end up doing any of those many things *well*? Multitasking doesn’t work, especially if you’re trying to master a musical instrument. As soon as you allow a single distraction into a practice session, you've cheated yourself out of precious time it will take you to return to a singular focus – and on the flip side, if you can zero in with no distractions, you'll be stunned at how much faster you progress... This week, Andrew and Jim tackle the myth of multitasking, and the importance of creating dedicated practice spaces, minimizing distractions, and adopting short, highly-focused practice sessions. Got a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [e-mail]. Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Welcome to 2025: A Lighthearted Start 01:08 The Enigma of Time 02:03 Sam Kuypers and the Mystery of Time 02:33 The Base 12 Counting System 05:39 The Art of Multitasking 06:40 The Struggles of Focus 07:31 The Commandment: Reject Multitasking 09:02 The Reality of Multitasking 13:31 The Importance of Focused Practice 17:55 Managing Distractions 23:37 The Challenge of Task Lists 26:54 The Power of Single-Tasking 31:25 Breaking the Phone Habit 31:37 Morning Routines and Struggles 33:41 Dealing with Notifications 35:01 The Importance of a Distraction-Free Zone 37:57 Dedicated Spaces for Bagpiping 44:47 Effective Practice Techniques 48:50 Focusing on One Thing 50:18 Building Up Practice Sessions 55:18 Simplifying Your Music 57:00 Actionable Steps to Minimize Distractions