like the suggestion of thinking of playing the scales as practicing tones, i kind of do much of what he suggests already. One thing that i find important is to have a “PURPOSE” for playing. Playing alone all the time can get a little boring so that’s why i make so many videos, nothing helps keep you focused on playing well than recording a song and putting it on youtube, every mistake is there forever so you try not to make any, and hopefully get better each time.