Interior monologue?

For learning rhythm, most teachers seem to think it's very important to count.  I think Phil might be an exception there.

I mostly try to focus on what's coming up next to make sure I'm mentally ready for it, because I find that one of the biggest causes of mistakes.  I hate those "oh sh*t" moments when I remember the next thing I need to do when it's too late (like noticing the sign for the street where you're supposed to turn just as you're passing it).  When flying airplanes (especially instrument flying), there's an expression "staying ahead of the airplane" which is sort of the same idea.

My biggest problem is that when I'm practicing slowly, there's enough idle time that my mind will wander completely off of what I'm doing and it's hard to stay focused on what's coming up next.  The worst is when muscle memory starts to set in, so that it feels like I can play on autopilot when I really can't and it's very easy to get distracted by other thoughts.

Interesting question. I've never really thought about what I think about. ;^)

My enjoyment in playing comes largely from letting go of the mundane and getting absorbed in the sound and the feedback between my gestures and the sound. Most often I think I'm focused on the nuances of the sound that my articulation is producing, and trying to control it to get exactly the effect I want. As a non-sight-reader who mostly improvises and occasionally learns other things by ear (or a combination of slow-reading and ear), note choice and rhythm is mostly muscle memory for me though I might make spontaneous decisions about the arrangement or when to play a "known" variation of notes/rhythm or improvise something new. I tend to be a little more deliberate and analytical about these choices when I'm playing for an audience (i.e. my wife and/or friends) and more spontaneous when playing/improvising purely for myself. YMMV but, In general, I find that the lizard brain is a better musician than the frontal cortex, and "thinking" too much tends to be detrimental to the music.

Yes, for me it is interesting. Thank you, wws. Very interesting. I took lessons when I was young, but the teacher said I will never be a pianist as I couldn't keep rhythm and beat.... Very sad I quit and since then have taught myself and am still learning in this forum. And have now participated 10 times in the video contest, uploaded 500 pieces Ptq and Orgtq in recordings so far,  so even though I'm not a pianist, I've learned quite a lot as I play both ptq and orgtq. I am playing every day, been retired 15 years. There were people who during the "journey"  encouraged me, and still encourage me here in the forum as well.
Wish you good luck, never give up.  I didn’t and am glad for that

All the best,

Stig