If you can do something three times in a row successfully, then it probably works.
If you can't, then there's probably a better way. But, how many of us keep hacking away at something unsuccessfully for the tenth, twentieth, or hundredth time?
Not just when practicing music, but when dealing with pretty much anything. Vending machines and trying to call a human at the DMV come to mind.
Next time you feel yourself running in a hamster wheel, try this. Whether you're practicing or anything else.
If it works the very first time, congratulations. You may move on.
If it doesn't work the first time, but you can get it to work three times in a row, then congratulations again. You may move on.
If it doesn't work three times in a row, then stop. Do something different. Break the problem down into smaller pieces. Try to do those things three times in a row.
Repeat.
What I love about this philosophy is that you always know what to do next. No banging your head against a wall. No guesswork.
Give it a try today and let us know what you think.