May 14, 2019 by Klaus Crow
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Setting goals and writing them down in a notebook is a fun activity that gives your guitar life a meaningful direction. It’s one of my favorite hobbies.
For me that’s the easy part. The second part is a little trickier: Accomplishing those goals.
I can’t say I’ve been lousy at accomplishing my guitar goals, but in the past there were always some goals that I somehow couldn’t get off the ground.
Maybe one reason is that I had too many goals (blame it on my enthusiasm). Well, we all have excuses.
I eventually tackled this hurdle by creating accountability. When you feel accountable you are assured of achieving your goals. The steps you have to take become a priority!
For me, playing in a band is the perfect way to learn and become skilled at a new style of music (pop, rock, blues, folk, metal, jazz). I really get on top of it. I make sure I do everything in my power to be ready for the next band rehearsal. I respect the people I’m playing with and I don’t want to let them down.
Another example is that I often create a challenge for my guitar students to study a song or solo within a couple of weeks and then have them perform it in front of their co-students. It works.
Accountability gives you the boost you need to get things done!
Here are the keys to accomplish your guitar goals:
Get an accountability partner
Both of you set one or two goals and meet once every week for an hour to discuss your progress, failures, ideas and what steps to take this week to meet those goals (take notes). Support each other through this journey.
Send each other emails, text messages to create accountability and pick up the phone when you feel one of you needs help to get over the next hurdle that might slow down the process of achieving the goals. Inspire and motivate each other.
Start a band
Want to learn a particular style of music, learn to play solo guitar, write your own songs or record an album? Start your own band and find people who have similar interests, are motivated and have a good attitude.
Rehearsing with a band and showing up every week means you’ve got to learn your stuff. Your band members are counting on you. You can learn so much from playing in a band and it gives you the accountability you need to keep things moving.
Create a challenge
Create a challenge with fellow musicians or friends. Your challenge could be playing and performing a song in front of your friends, improvising a guitar solo or writing a song and recording a demo.
Share on social media
Post your goal on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or your blog and keep your friends up to date. Tell your friends to hold you accountable and to ask for daily updates on your progress.
Get a guitar teacher
Getting a real guitar teacher is a great way to accomplish goals in improving your guitar skills. Ask your teacher to set up a plan for you to achieve a goal within a certain amount of time like learning to play some blues rhythm, country soloing, basic jazz improv or playing your favorite song.
Create a consequence and reward
Ask your partner or friend (someone you respect) to hold you accountable and remind you of the consequence for procrastinating, not showing up or not meeting your goal and also the reward that is attached to the goal. Rewards are fun and stimulating. Find a consequence you don’t want to face and a reward to look forward to besides the reward of achieving the goal.
Self accountability
Besides letting others hold you accountable, you also have the power to hold yourself accountable for every goal you want to accomplish and every step you need to take towards that goal.
Remind yourself of the rewards of self accountability (feeling good about yourself, becoming a awesome guitar player) and the consequences of giving up and not following your dreams (feeling miserable and stuck).
Write down the 2 most important steps you have to take every day to get closer to your guitar goal. Put up reminders on your calendar. Let your phone notify you on what steps to take. Tell people about your goals. Take notes, measure your progress and build your own personal accountability habit.
Benefit from accountability.
Get out of that comfy chair and start realizing your guitar dreams!
I am interested in starting a band for old guys. I am 51 and just now getting serious about guitar. Just a casual band. Any suggestions?
Stan, I’d say focus less on age and more on people who like to play the same kind of music you like. Just do it, you’ll have fun!
Glad I found this on google .