Aja, here is my little 2c worth
I think you are right in a sense that if you just practice it kinda gets boring and start to feel lke work ?
This an approach that I started to use about 3 months back and it really started to keep me motivated and to keep it fun.
The first thing that I did is to set myself goals, these may include a combination of stuff (Technique, scales, chords, progressions and songs)
The second step was to keep track of my progress
The third part was to apply what I have practiced either in improv sessions or in certain songs / pieces that I know the specific thing I practiced is used
Ok I know this is vague but let me use an example of the above...
STEP 1: PLan / Goal
Before you can start practicing, you should know what you want to practice, because there are so many stuff that you can practice...
So for example, lets take yesterdays thread
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-music/playing-in-a-key/
and you want to know / learn the major scale and the pentatonic scales...
Now you have a plan at least...
STEP 2: Progress / Do
Now you know you must learn the major scale...
You start off by just memorising the scale
Now the fun starts, because now you can work on speed (by using the metronome) and being able to play it at various speeds. This will keep you motivated and when you reach certain stages you will conquer certain aspects, and that in itself will motivate you. (Start on 80bpm and play it on quarter notes, then increase the bpm or change the notes to eights etc)
STEP 3: Apply
Now you can start using this in certain songs, over a few progressions, and when you are comfortable you know you have got this down, you will know where your limits are for fast runs etc. Very important for me that you must be aware of what you don'n know and can't do. Actually a very good attribute.
This can be applied to anything that you want to learn or practice and will keep you motivated when achieving your goals and to be able to aplly it in certain scenarios will definitely keep it fun and interesting.
It worked for me, but does not by any means suggest that this is the only way. Other guys like to practice using different methods, but I found this to work for me, and the good thing is, I know what I know and what I don't know.
