Guitarists...Are You A Victim and A Loser?

I was thinking today about THE most dangerous enemy of musical progress?the victim mentality. What do I mean by this?

Often we can let our personal circumstances dictate our progress. For example, someone may let their guitar practice slide because they were really busy at work. This person may start making excuses such as "I didn't have time". This is victim mentality. It is believing that your musical progress is only possible when external circumstances allow it.

What they are really saying to themselves is that their musical dreams and goals are not as important as paying a few lousy bills.They are letting their boss's goals get in the way of their own.

Now?I can't point fingers at anyone. I've been guilty of having a victim mentality plenty of times! Especially when it comes to things like going to the gym :) But I don't have a victim mentality when it comes to guitar practice. There is virtually nothing that I will allow to get in the way of my musical progress.

So?how can you stop yourself from becoming a victim and a loser?

1.Stop making excuses.
I can guarantee that for every excuse you can make there is someone out there who has overcome that obstacle. Don't allow yourself to make excuses. They are the death of your musical dreams.

2. Watch your language.
For example, rather than saying "I couldn't find the time" say "I am acting like a complete and absolute loser and if I continue acting like this I will NEVER achieve my musical goals". Because that statement is pretty painful to say, you'll soon stop making excuses!

3. Think of solutions.
For excuses that you normally make, think of ways of overcoming those obstacles. For example, if you are constantly using your work as a reason why you can't practice, ask yourself questions like?

"How can I get paid more but work less hours?".
"How can I get paid while I sleep?".
"How can I stay home all day and practice?".

If you ask enough questions like this on a daily basis, you will find a solution eventually.

4. Think of your "Why".
These are the reasons why you want to achieve your musical goals. If your why is strong enough, You will NEVER want to stop practicing for any reason.

5. Think of your role models.
Use your role models to motivate and inspire you to keep on practicing. Every time you start to make an excuse, ask yourself "Would__________make this excuse?" For example, one of my favourite guitarists is Steve Vai. I could NEVER imagine making him excuses for not practicing!

To finish off here's a quote that you may want to memorize?

"You can either become a great guitarist, or you can make excuses, but you can't do both".

Craig Bassett (The Guitar Solutions Expert) is a professional guitarist, guitar tutor and author living in Auckland, New Zealand.

For free online guitar lessons go to:
Free Online Guitar Lessons.

---

Why Learning How to Improvise is So Important

Imagine asking a beginning writer to write a short story... Read More

Music for Cross Cultural Accelerated Learning

The Search for the Right MusicEver since Georgi Lozonav, the... Read More

If Setting The Gain Correctly is So Important, Why Dont Mic Preamplifiers Have Meters?

When you first learn how to use a mixing console,... Read More

Buying A Guitar - Do You Know What To Look For?

Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students... Read More

Shut Up And Sing

What is it with these performers and their politics? Do... Read More

Things To Know When Shopping For A Guitar Amplifier

Guitar amplifiers are a major part of your tone. Some... Read More

Playing The Violin Is For Everyone Who Loves Music

Every day musical instruments enrich the lives of people around... Read More

Guitar Humidification

Problems with humidity can lead to heartbreak for the classical... Read More

Music Bytes - Tips For Saving On Professional Software For Musicians, Part I

If you are outraged by the prices software giants demand... Read More

Effective Band Rehearsal

If your band is in rehearsals, either preparing for gigging,... Read More

Interview With Josh Epstein of Vision Music USA

Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service... Read More

Canadian Stars: The Marble Index and the Waking Eyes

Canadian Indie bands are dominating the music scene and it... Read More

How To Make Money On A Music Website Through Pay-Per-Click?

Interested in making money while you're asleep, or making money... Read More

Top Rap Song

After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More

Green Day: Punk Rock Masters Taming Mainstream Radio Their Way

Before they got together as Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong,... Read More

Discover The Perfect Place To Perform

Once you know what your Unique Selling Proposition is as... Read More

Hip Hop Clothing

Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More

Sheet Music ? Violin and Other String Instruments

The violin is a bowed stringed instrument and is the... Read More

Jazzing Up Your Leadership Style

I met New York jazzman Tim Armacost in college almost... Read More

Pakistani Pop Music

Pakistan is blessed with talent and when we talk about... Read More

How to Create an Original Melody

Here's a method I use that works. First, sit down... Read More

The Revolution has begun - and it will not be Televised The new Artist Development Paradigm

In reflecting on the world of the Music Business in... Read More

Visualization Techniques for the Pianist

Controlling the images of the mind through image projection has... Read More

The Gong - An Instrument Everyone Can Play

What exactly is a Gong?The gong is a musical instrument... Read More

Legal Music Downloads

On July 28, 2004, French Internet access providers and music... Read More