The Enthusiasm Paradox

I want him to like it.

I don't want to have to ask him to practice.

I don't want to dampen her creative spirit.

Over the years, these parent quotes have become almost synonymous with:

We're not going to be in music lessons for very long.

They're understandable statements. And of course, we want our kids to enjoy their musical studies and be creative people. 

But, these notions come from a misunderstanding.

A misunderstanding that pushing through a little hardship or following some instructions will decrease enjoyment or creativity.

This is cycling the wrong way.

Practicing, following the teacher's instructions, and learning how to push through to the next level fuels enthusiasm. Not the other way around.

I mean, think about it.

Have you ever enjoyed something before actually trying it?

On the flip side, do you enjoy something once you realize you've leveled up in skill?

Practice builds skill.

Pushing through the hard parts in a logical way builds skill.

Building skill increases enthusiasm. 

Therefore, practice increases enthusiasm (one of those transitive property things, or whatever it was called in geometry...) 

And enthusiasm leads to more practice.

Go through enough cycles, and you have what is referred to as momentum. 

And that is when things really start to get exciting.