V.com weekend vote: What motivates you in your practice?

By Laurie Niles: For our weekend vote this week, I wanted to look at motivation, and how different kinds of motivation drive each of us. This vote was inspired by longtime V.commer Sander Marcus , who - beyond bringing humor to our discussions on this website for the past 20 years - also happens to be a licensed clinical psychologist. We all have our reasons for playing the violin or other stringed instrument, but what is the main thing that keeps you going? What makes you continue to practice, continue to play, what motivates you? Sander has broken down this idea in terms of psychology - the "elements of motivation" - and also relating them to music. Have a look at these descriptions and see which one you best relate to (and don't think too hard, just go with your gut!)

• Vision - motivation based on end goals - envisioning achieving the goal or artistic vision
• Inner Drive - motivation based on an internal push or need to achieve
• Strategy - motivation to create a plan: specific do-able steps like exercises, specific choice of repertoire, etc.
• Action - motivation based on the need to take action, to get things done.

Of course, we find our greatest success when we work with all of these aspects of motivation, but what is the one that drives you most these days? Please participate in the vote and then tell us about your sources of motivation in the comments. You might also like:

• How to Embrace the Discomfort of Striving
• Violinist Robert Gillespie: Motivating the Adolescent
• A Psychologist's Tips for Practicing

Thank you to Sander Marcus for this idea for this week's vote! If you have an idea for the Weekend Vote, please e-mail Laurie! * * *

Enjoying Violinist.com? Click here to sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter. And if you've already signed up, please invite your friends! Thank you.