Motivation vs momentum

Motivation is what we need to get started with any new pursuit. Momentum is what we need to keep going at it. If we aren't motivated to start doing something, we won't start. We need a reason. Motivation is excellent for providing us this reason. Without any sense of momentum however, a feeling that our work is moving forward without us having to cheer-lead ourselves into it, we won't continue.

Motivation wimps out at the first sign of discomfort, but momentum is the stoic counterpart that keeps on ticking. Momentum is self-propelling energy. When we feel a lot of momentum, there is no talking ourselves into playing guitar. We see the guitar, we want to play it, and we want to learn more. If you're feeling deprived if you didn't get to practice as much as you usually do, you have momentum. 

Momentum could naturally carry forward the process of learning guitar. Each day could be a wonderful experience of watching your skills grow. Would you like to have more momentum? 

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish."

The biggest obstacle to gaining momentum lies in the mistaken belief that there is a place in guitar that we can get to where we will be good, settled, and satisfied with how we are playing. The trouble is, getting that satisfaction might butt heads with your enjoyment of guitar. 

If you have reached or accomplished a place of satisfaction, you'll feel content to rest on your laurels. That'd feel good if that place even existed. Many professional guitarists will tell you point blank that there is no arrival to complete mastery. There is no place where you are 100% comfortable with your ability on guitar. Sorry! For guitar to enrich your life, it takes getting down and dirty with the process of learning, and that takes time.

Sometimes, you'll learn something immediately. To get better at guitar, you'll need to make a friend out of practicing each day for five-minutes because it will take time. Many beginners feel accomplished for having urgently practiced an hour on one day, and end up skipping the next because they just spent their enthusiasm the day before. The temporary feeling of satisfaction of having practiced so much on one day robs them of enjoying the guitar the next. The trouble with feeling sated, with feeling accomplished, is that the impetus to come back the day after is harder to find. 

I'm reminded of the now-immortal words of Steve Jobs. Perhaps they can help you on your path towards more momentum: 

Stay Hungry, stay foolish. 

Please consider that gaining a feeling of satisfaction won't propel you forward into accomplishing what you want to accomplish on guitar.