Procrastinating is something that we all do from time to time and some do it more than others. It seems innocent enough, but really procrastination and excuses can get in the way of doing what we really want to do.
I have been teaching many years and ever since I could say to people that I was a piano teacher, people have been telling me that they either have always wanted to learn to play the piano but never had the opportunity when they were younger, or that they had learned for a few years but stopped lessons. Sometimes those reasons were because the family moved, which was out of their control, or sometimes they simply decided that they wanted to hang out with their friends more. I have heard such a vast array of stories of why people quit learning to play the piano from literally hundreds of people.
For quite a long time now I have thought that retirement was often a good time to take up learning to play the piano or to return to playing the piano after a hiatus of many years. The reasons why I think it is a good time in life to pursue playing the piano is because retirement usually means a lot more spare time. Family commitments are also much less compared with being in the midst of raising children. I also believe that money usually isn’t as tight, again, because retirees are usually finished paying for their kids and therefore can have a bit more money to spend on the non-necessities.
I have shared this idea with many people who have told me that they would really love to be able to play the piano. I know that when they are telling me that they would really like to learn to play the piano, they are not saying this on a whim. They are very sincere because their body language, facial expression and tone of voice demonstrates a real yearning to be able to play the piano. Some people have responded to me in a very positive way, while others have murmured a reply that indicates that they know I am right but they just want to keep their excuses.
Maybe it’s just me but I would have thought that if you had been wanting to play the piano for decades, then you would eventually find a way to make it happen. Unfortunately, I think that there is some people who would rather have their ‘poor me’ attitude and have people feel sorry for them. I suppose some people complain because it is easier than taking the time, effort and money to actually learn to play the piano.
So to those of you that are busy making excuses or are retired and procrastinating about learning to play the piano: Stop making excuses, stop putting it off. If you want to learn to play the piano, then GET STARTED. I don’t mean any disrespect or malice but I’m tired of hearing excuses. I want people that have a real desire to learn to play the piano to take action so that they can experience the joy and pleasure that comes from playing the piano.
If you think that you might be delaying or putting off reaching your goal of being able to play the piano, then I say to you with respect and kindness: just STOP PROCRASTINATING.