When to Power Down

​I recently conducted an experiment during my personal practice time. I made the decision to power down all of my electronic devices while practicing including my cell phone and computer. I believe that successful practice is predicated upon eliminating distractions so I was hopeful that it would improve my ability to focus. I discovered that I began to practice with more intensity and accomplish more. 

Smartphones have permeated every aspect of modern society. Most of us would feel naked without one. I advocate the use of technology in music instruction, its benefits are immeasurable! But we need to know when it is time to power down and tune in to the task at hand.
 
You might be surprised to know the extent that the average person checks their smartphone in a day.  If you practice as much as Dan Perantoni suggests (a minimum of three hours a day) and check your phone nine times in an hour you have been distracted a total of 27 times! That is nearly 10,000 interruptions within a calendar year.
 
We practice our instruments to get better, and we play our instruments because it is fun. So it why not devote our full attention in the moment?