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Josiah wrote:just because you make a goal and can play X in the practice room, doesnt mean you can play X in a real world situation. that by definition is a "feel good list".

That depends on what your 'X' is. My X = Musical ideas that can be easily assimilated into my real world playing repertoire, due to the fact that this end was kept in mind whilst practicing. If my X = A paradiddle with my feet at 180 bpm, then not so much.

There doesn't have to be a divide between practicing and playing that is only bridged when one pulls an idea from practice land and plops it into playing land. The closer one simulates actual playing situations, via drawing on their past experience to guide their formulated practice routine, the more applicable and 'real' (i.e. valuable) these practice sessions should become, resulting in the gap between these two realms lessening.

littlegrooves wrote: The closer one simulates actual playing situations, via drawing on their past experience to guide their formulated practice routine, the more applicable and 'real' (i.e. valuable) these practice sessions should become, resulting in the gap between these two realms lessening.

...and that is exactly why a practice log is so useful. not as you put it, "a feel-good piece of paper to stick on the refrigerator."

Never mind.

It can help to look back as well as forward. Thats why it can be revealing to go through your bank statement each month:

"I spent HOW MUCH on itunes this month?! I need to address that."

Same for practice. Looking back on what you've done and reflecting on how successful (or not) it was can help you become more efficient in the future.

I'm not trying to convince anyone else. I just know it (really, really, really) works for me

Forgot to say... its the same reason I often record gigs/practice sessions.