Keeping it fresh

We are only as fresh as our practice habits dictate.  

We have all been there, the rut.  I suppose it is part of any learning curve.  We pick up the instrument, the sticks, the bow and simply rehash what we already know.  Over and over.  If we let this go on for too long we can get bored, look for other things to amuse us.  Growth and learning has stopped.

We are only as fresh as our practice habits dictate.

Here is the challenge, heed this and you will minimize the rut:  Every day intentionally learn one new thing.  Consider every new technique, fill, new chord, style, phrasing and philosophy to your instrument a tool to add to your toolbox.  Every day add a new one.  Maybe you can't spend hours practicing your instrument, but if you add one tool daily, soon you will have a toolbox full skills.  You will never get bored building this habit, scour the internet for sites that provide material you can use, study music theory, explore different genres.  Create a notebook for your skills to review occasionally.  You will find that there is no reason to be bored.