DRUMMER CAFE

Just about everything you do during practice is goal-oriented to some degree.  Even playing to a CD usually has the simple goal of playing along at the same tempo.  Routines are just a means to an end......a tool to help reach your goal.

I think what needs to be distinguished here is whether you have poorly defined goals or clearly defined goals.  To determine your goals you need to first determine your needs.  Once you have the goals defined, how do you achieve them?  Well, a good drum teacher can usually provide knowledge of the tools that will allow you to achieve your goals most efficiently.  My observation is that drummers with well defined goals, knowledge on how to achieve the goals and who invest the time and effort, tend to be the drummers who progress much more quickly, all else being equal.