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

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: [email protected].  

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