Dear Ivy,

Practice is more important than you think. I learned this the hard way. You simply cannot master things by just reading about them or attending classes. It would be plausible to think that practice is arranged around the curriculum, but I would argue to see it in reverse. Books and courses should be tools built around your practice, with which you can apply your knowledges, get better at problem solving, and horn the skills that true to yourself. The various classes you are attending such as drawing, singing and piano are only to guide your practice. If you don’t practice, the whole setup falls apart.

It is also about allocating your time. It is about doing the right thing. It is about choosing what not to do. You only live once (YOLO). If you love something, ask yourself if it is true to yourself. Follow the 10,000-hour rule: keep practicing (around 10,000 hours) that aligns with your strength, you will nail it eventually. It sounds simple, but actually very difficult. You can get lost, and you will fight procrastination. It is just humanity. Push your boulder uphill everyday, and feel the gravity. Make them into your habits, your routine, and your identity. It will come all natural. Trust me, working hard is cool.

Next time when you say you love something or want to become something badly, ask yourself if you have invested the time and effort in practice. Next time when you feel too much resistance in your practice, ask yourself how badly you want it.