My Favorite Practice Aid: A Timer

Do you ever get distracted during your practice sessions? Do you find it hard to focus on the task at hand? I work at night, and that means most of my practicing has to take place during the day. My brain is constantly processing random to-dos. I find that I can start a long tone, and halfway through the tone, my mind wanders to my grocery list. This frustration led me to incorporate a simple kitchen timer into my practice sessions.

For example, if I am buzzing on the mouthpiece, I will set the timer for as little as five minutes at a time. While the timer is ticking, my priority has to be the task at hand. If I find that I am getting distracted, I simply acknowledge the distraction, file it away for later, and remind myself that I am currently in the process of doing something else. 

Sharp focus is like a muscle - it takes some exercise to build up. After working with this method for awhile, you may find that you can bump up the length of the timer. While this timer trick works for any task, I have found it invaluable for making the most out of my practice sessions. 

What tricks do you use to help yourself focus?