The Real Answer to Why You've Been Struggling - 412

If you've been practicing hard and still feel stuck, this episode is for you! It’s time for a reset—not just in what you practice, but in how you think about learning guitar.

Why You're Not Seeing Progress

Have you ever said:

“I should be better than this by now.”
“I’ve practiced for years, but I’m not getting anywhere.”
“No matter how much I play, it just feels like I’m going in circles.”

If so, you're not alone—and the problem isn't your effort.
It's your approach.

Practice Alone Isn’t Enough

Many guitar players:

Work through exercises
Memorize scale shapes
Learn song after song
Still feel like they’re spinning their wheels

Why? Because without a path, all that effort doesn’t move you forward.

You don’t need more information—you need a system that helps you apply it.

What Kind of Guitar Player Are You?

This episode breaks down several player types:

The beginner who doesn’t know what to expect
The career beginner who's been stuck in the same spot for years
The goal-setter who needs structure to progress
The open mic hopeful looking to join a band or church team
The content player who loves the instrument but has no clear next step
The serial starter who gets excited, then loses steam
The tinkerer who loves puzzles, tutorials, and rabbit holes

Chances are, you resonate with more than one. That’s normal. The fix? Reframe your approach.

The Shift That Changes Everything

Instead of chasing shiny goals or jumping into songs you’re not ready for...

Start by identifying your missing skills.

What foundational things did you skip over in the early days?
What bad habits never got corrected?
Where do you feel weak, uncertain, or inconsistent?

These are your real goals.
Refining the basics leads to mastery.

How to Reset the Right Way

1. Write It Down

Don't just think about your goals—make them real.
Put them on paper. Ask:

What do I want to be able to do?
What’s missing right now that’s stopping me?
Which skills do I need to build first?

Writing removes emotion and brings clarity.

2. Find a Rhythm That Works

Be flexible, but consistent.
Can’t commit to 30 minutes every day? Try 10 minutes, three times a week.

It’s not about volume.
It’s about staying in rhythm—just like in music.

3. Expect to Succeed

So many players get used to not meeting their goals.
Change that.

Choose realistic goals
Make them specific and measurable
Expect to hit them—and adjust if you don’t

Don’t forget where you started. Celebrate your small wins.

For Beginners: 3 Realistic Goals That Work

Play One Clean Chord

Focus for three days
Make it ring on every string
Adjust your hand and thumb placement until it works

Strum In Time

Use a metronome
Play four clean strums that land on beat

Start a Practice Log

Keep track of what you practiced and how it felt
Record yourself so you can see your progress

Don’t Trust How It Feels

Progress doesn’t always feel like progress.

You may be getting better every day and not notice—until someone else hears you and says, “Hey, that sounds good.”

Want a better way to track growth?

Record yourself.
Review. Reflect. Repeat.
You’ll see the truth your feelings miss.

Your Next Step: Get the Beginner’s Guide

If you’re starting over—or starting fresh—grab my free mini course:

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Starting Guitar
It’s a simple roadmap to get your skills in place, clean up your sound, and build a real foundation for future progress.

Want Help Setting Real Goals?

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start moving, join Play Guitar Academy or book a one-on-one coaching session.

Together, we’ll:

Diagnose your missing skills
Create realistic, personal goals
Build a step-by-step plan to finally get where you want to go

Thanks for listening to this special “reset” episode!
Let me know in the comments: Which type of player are you right now—and what’s your next goal?

See you in the next episode!

Listen to the Audio Podcast

▶▶ Absolute Beginners Guide to Guitar - https://www.playguitaracademy.com/absolutebeginnersguidetoguitar

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