Want Better Singing Results? - Here's A Great Way To Track Your Progress

Want better results?
How are you tracking your vocal progress?

In this video, I’m offering a practice suggestion to take your time invested to a new level of satisfaction and results.

So, often when a person wants to improve their eating habits a trainer will suggest keeping a food journal. If you join a gym and want to lose weight or improve muscle tone, you are asked to track your reps. If you are wanting to improve productivity in your business a time tracker is a great tool.

So, if you are wanting to improve your voice, your singing, your performing… I’m going to ask you to do the same with your vocal training… in a sense, we are gonna track your reps.

Tracking progress is a suggestion given in Geoffry Colvin’s book "Talent is Overrated." He breaks down what amateurs and professionals do differently and outlines the “deliberate” practice methods of professionals. Keeping a record of practice sessions is a professional method he recommends.

It is often difficult for us to accurately assess if we are making progress. We may reflect back on the week and think, "Wow, I did a lot of singing this week."… or we may look back on the week and think, "I didn’t have any breakthroughs at all."… when in reality neither may be true.

Colvin writes… “People have a tendency to misremember what they thought in the past, we almost always adjust our recollections flatteringly, in light of how events actually turned out. But there’s no escaping the written word.”

In his book, “How Champions Think”, Sports and Performance Psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella calls this misremembering, “… Perceived exertion.” And, goes on to say, “Average people tend to overestimate how hard they are working.”

By keeping a log, we are keeping track of the facts. This helps us to stay on target every day, refine our practice strategy, and reach our goals... rather than being subject to the various emotions, or swayed perceptions that can show up during the week. We are focusing on the process.

Colvin, shares, “The best performers set goals that are not about the outcome but about the process of reaching this outcome.” Dr. Bob chimes in saying, “Exceptional people… know that if they honor the preparation and performance process they’ve determined what will work for them, the outcome will take care of itself. They’re process-oriented not because they don’t care about outcomes, but because they know this attitude leads to the best outcomes.”

My little notebook plays a major role in that strategy.

In this simple notebook, I keep track of 5 things
1. my time invested
2. what I worked on
3. any insights or
4. questions I may have
5. what I want to work on in the next practice session

I’ll also keep notes about my voice coaching session and performances.

Tracking my time invested is valuable to me. I know that if I show up, I will make progress. And, noting what I will work on in the next session, helps my clarity and focus and saves time. I don’t need to wonder what needs my attention tomorrow… I already have a game plan in place.

At the end of the week, I look at the facts. I review how much time I put in, where I made progress and what questions I may have to take to my coach. I make sure I am addressing my priorities and make notes of anything I want to shift in the following week. I then celebrate all this… now this celebration is me just doing a little happy dance in my head. I give myself a high-five for making me and my creativity a priority. I am proud of myself for what I have done and I take time to feel that.

So grab yourself a notebook… put it right where you do your warming up and singing… and each time you dive into your music just write down what you did… start by noticing how you are practicing, then build your habit around tracking your practice, your progress, your strategy and the goals you are meeting. And take time to celebrate.

I hope this practice tool helps you reach all the vocal outcomes you desire.

I am cheering for you!
Until next time,
Rejoice in Your Voice!
Hugs, Tricia
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