Here is a chart you can download that I created for tracking your time when you are learning a skill (like, for instance, playing the harmonica). I have read that it takes about 10,000 hours to truly master an instrument, or master a skill such as writing or painting. Well, here is a way to keep track of all those hours.
Each square represents an hour. If I put in 15 minutes, I color in one corner of a square. The blocks are 100 hours. The darker lines map out 1000 hours. This page shows 3000 hours.
I am also using different colors for different harmonica projects. Red for metronome practice. Yellow for a song that I am learning at the moment. I figure that it will end up being like a tapestry with different patterns as I continue to try different ways of filling it in.
If the thought of 10,000 hours makes you want to quietly start weeping, here are some other ways to think about it: You have about 8760 hours a year to use one way or another. It takes about 600 – 1000 hours to become reasonably competent at a new skill like learning an instrument. So it is not like you are a bumbling jerk for 9999 hours and then suddenly become godlike. There are many rewards well before you reach the top. Getting good at something is well within anyone’s grasp.
It can be humbling or inspiring. I intend to use this grid it long enough to become addicted to coloring in the squares. Anything that makes the journey more interesting works for me.
Enjoy the ride!