For the adult beginner, it may be tempting to skim quickly through foundational material due to the perception that such content is for "children." Basic technique, however, is an absolute requisite for advancement on the instrument. Adult beginners should pay close attention to any material related to hand position, foot position and posture.
As many adult beginners will be juggling a job with their practice, the luxury of free time will not always be present. This shouldn't be an excuse, however, for skimming over technically difficult material and only half-learning the technical challenges presented. It is far better to practice an individual exercise for several days in a row instead of spending one or two days and not completely mastering the material. As muscle memory is a crucial element of piano technique, daily repetition will help solidify the motions and gestures needing to be learned.
Listening to recordings of famous pianists and quality performances will initially help the beginner adult student learn more about the styles of performance and capabilities of the instrument. Since adult student will have developed a longer attention span than most children, listening to piano literature for an extended amount of time should not be a problem.
For some adults, the opportunity to learn the piano could not have come at an earlier age due to one of several conditions. The "I could have been better than this" mentality, however, will only serve to slow progress and distract the student. Keeping a clear head is an absolute necessity for the adult student.