Psychology is always finding better ways for the brain to acquire and recall information, but the latest research is challenging the way we think about practice in profound ways:
Repetition is Out - It has long been believed that if you want to progress, you must repeat things hundreds, if not thousands of times. However, repetition does not necessarily induce problem solving. You might try to solve a math problem like 7+2+4+1 = ?, but when asked the exact same math problem again, chances are that you'll simply recall the solution from the first time you solved it, instead of going through the entire problem-solving process again. The real trouble starts when we come up with the wrong answer the first time. Now, we're not only repeating incorrect information, we're also doing very little processing or refinement.
Interleaving - The answer to mindless repetition is to interleave your practice, which means to rotate between several different practice objectives instead of spending a block of time mastering one objective before moving onto another. This method may not make intuitive sense, but study after study shows that interleaved practice creates a problem-solving environment, or what psychologists refer to as "effortful processing", which ultimately leads to long-term retention. It can feel unnatural at first, but try it for a couple weeks!
Spacing - Another highly effective strategy is spacing - spreading multiple practice sessions throughout the day instead of one large block of time. This has mostly to do with focus, as when we are shown the same stimulus over and over again, a process called "habituation" occurs and our response to a repeated stimulus diminishes over time. Think about how many reminders you need to complete a task or how many times you need to hit the snooze button on your alarm clock. The reason it's difficult to focus on those stimuli is because you are used to them. Try changing your alarm sound or use a different strategy to remind yourself to get something done!
Use a Timer - On average, adults have about three minutes of focused attention span before they start thinking about what's for lunch. Younger people have even shorter attention spans. The "Virtuous Moments" method created by pedagogue Kurt Sassmanhaus involves setting a three-minute timer and dividing the practice day up into three-minute chunks. If you didn't accomplish your goal within the three-minute window, then the goal you set was too large or not specific enough. This method not only naturally incorporates interleaving, but it also helps promote realistic goal setting. And remember, if you are getting bored or distracted during practice, it's not because you're losing focus; it's because you're not being challenged enough!