Motivation for Guitarists - Small Goals for Huge Gains

What Makes Some Guitarists Special?
The primary difference between an average guitar player and a great guitar player is motivation. A great guitar player is obviously more motivated than the average player. There are many factors that affect motivation. Some are easy. For example, great guitarists have found something so fascinating about guitar that practice is almost effortless. What they've found may be as simple as learning to enjoy the puzzle-like aspect of guitar playing. If you've ever tried to copy a song note-for-note you realize that it's actually a huge puzzle that needs to be solved. Some people give up because they find the process frustrating, others can't give up because they find the puzzle fascinating. They're the lucky ones.

As I mentioned, this kind of motivation comes naturally if it comes at all. The other type of motivation results from self-discipline. I view self-discipline as simply a promise we make to ourself and the ability to keep that promise. This aspect of motivation is something that we can control if we choose to. This process doesn't need to be difficult.

Small Goals Add Up To Huge Gains
It's important to realize that major goals are attained by achieving several smaller goals. I'll give you an example. I was recently discussing songwriting and performing with Michael Angelo Batio. I commented that what he does is impossible. The truth is, it would be impossible to write and perform a song as complex as "Hands Without Shadows" without a great deal of effort. I said to Michael, "People have no idea of how much time it takes to write something like that. They think it's completed in a week or two." Michael replied, "Three years. It took me three years to write that." So, what appears to be impossible can be achieved by patiently working toward a goal step-by-step.

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." - Thomas Edison

You must promise yourself that the overall goal will be completed. In this example the goal is composing and performing a song. This is achieved by promising yourself to patiently work on the song a section at a time week after week.

I use this technique in The Complete Basic Course. In three of the Stages I divide songs and leads into four sections. I teach each section as a weekly lesson. The end result of the four week step-by-step process is that you have learned the complete lead. The trick is to break things down into manageable sections and promise yourself to complete each of the manageable sections. Just make small, easy to keep promises to yourself.

The problem most people experience with "promises that we make to ourself" is, there's too much wiggle room. You must be very specific about the plan of action and not allow yourself to deviate from that plan.

Here's an example. Let's say that the goal is to learn a complete song in a week. First decide exactly what it will take for you to achieve the goal. Put this in writing. It could be as simple as, you need to work on the song for forty-five minutes every day for the next week. Think of this as the rule that you must follow for the next week to achieve your goal. Do not allow yourself to deviate from the rule one bit. That's the promise you must make and keep to attain the goal.

You must act as if there is nothing more important than sticking to your plan for the week. It's more important than getting together with friends. It's more important than having fun. It's more important than most other obligations in your life. So when other things "come up" act like this goal is truly important. Make it a priority.

You must accomplish these goals to believe that you can accomplish future goals. Success breeds success.

This article was inspired by a conversation on our forum:
What do you guys do when you're feeling lost?

Series Continued: Part 2