10 Stoic Principles to Improve Your Guitar Skills

May 11, 2025 by Klaus Crow

I’m a big fan of both guitar playing and philosophy, and if one philosophy stands out for its practical value—especially through Marcus Aurelius (read below)—it’s Stoicism. That’s why I’ve put together 10 Stoic Principles to Improve Your Guitar Skills to help you stay focused, disciplined, and motivated in your daily practice.

Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, shared his thoughts on virtue, mindset, and resilience in his personal notebook, Meditations, which made him widely popular. His philosophy was focused on self-control, rationality, and the ability to face life’s challenges with grace. Who doesn’t want that?

When you apply his stoic principles to your guitar practice things will start to change for you. You will get better through self-discipline, patience, and a focus on what you can control, instead of letting frustration, comparison, or the need for quick results drive you mad.

This mindset not only builds a more consistent and effective practice routine but also helps you become a confident guitar player over time.

Now we know how important this philosophy is, let’s dive into these 10 Stoic Principles from Marcus Aurelius to Improve Your Guitar Skills and get you on the right track!

1. “Let no day pass without a little bit of practice.”

In his book Meditations, Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of daily effort:
‘Let no day pass without a little bit of practice.’

For you that means, make it a habit to practice guitar every day, even if only for a few minutes. Consistency, no matter how small the effort, is key to steady improvement. Set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes on a fixed time and stick to it. Mark it on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone.

2. “Nothing should be done without a purpose.”

Marcus urged people to guide their actions with clear purpose, rather than letting impulse, distraction, or mindless repetition take control.

Similarly, each practice session should be approached with a specific goal in mind, whether it’s mastering a chord, a scale or working on your technique.

Write down your practice goals the day before so you can get right to work and don’t waste anytime rambling on your guitar. There’s a time and place for everything, but the rambling is for enjoyment, it’s not part of the focused practice when you want to aim for better results.

3. “Confine yourself to the present.”

When Marcus Aurelius said, “Confine yourself to the present,” he was urging us to focus on the here and now, letting go of distractions and not worrying about past mistakes or future outcomes.

Apply this mindset to your guitar practice by immersing yourself fully in the moment, focusing on the task at hand without letting distractions like Netflix, TV, social media, or your phone pull you away. Let go of past struggles or future goals and focus on the progress you’re making right now.

4. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

Aurelius believed that obstacles serve as opportunities for growth.

When encountering difficult passages or techniques, view them as chances to develop your abilities. Embrace these challenges, knowing that overcoming them will push your guitar playing to new heights and expand your musical understanding.

This mindset is also explored in Ryan Holiday’s excellent book, The Obstacle Is the Way, which delves into how we can turn obstacles into advantages in every aspect of life.

5. “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Aurelius taught that our reactions are within our control, regardless of external circumstances.

In your guitar practice, focus on what you can control like your mindset and effort, rather than allowing setbacks and daily challenges affect your progress.

By learning to maintain composure and discipline you’ll cultivate a more resilient and productive practice routine, which results in better guitar playing.

6. “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

Aurelius highlights the profound impact our mindset has on our experience and progress.

In your guitar practice, it’s important to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset, especially when faced with setbacks like a bad day or self-doubt.

After all, your thoughts shape your experience; therefore, focus on nurturing the ones that drive you forward and help you grow.

A mindset focused on growth and perseverance will help you navigate through frustration, turning moments of struggle into stepping stones for improvement.

7. “Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?'”

Aurelius encourages us to act with intention and cut out what doesn’t serve us.

In your guitar practice, this means focusing only on what truly moves you forward—exercises with clear purpose, techniques that challenge you, and routines that build real progress. Skip the mindless noodling or going through the motions. Every minute should serve a goal, not just fill time.

8. “Set thyself in motion, if it is in thy power, and do not look about thee to see if any one will observe it.”

Aurelius reminds us to take action for its own sake, not for praise or attention.

In your musical journey, the value lies in showing up and doing the work—whether anyone sees it or not. Let your motivation come from within. Become a guitar monk, focus on the quiet, consistent effort of practice, not the applause, likes, or recognition that might follow.

9. “You have to assemble your life yourself—action by action.”

Aurelius emphasizes building progress through small, deliberate steps.

In guitar practice, this means approaching each session with intention—breaking down complex pieces into manageable parts and patiently working through them. Every focused repetition is a building block in your larger musical journey.

Over time, these small efforts compound, leading to leading to lasting improvement and greater confidence in your playing.

10. “Each day provides its own gifts.”

Aurelius invites us to recognize the unique value in every moment.

In your guitar practice, treat each session as an opportunity—no matter how small—to discover something new. Even on tough days, there’s always a lesson to learn or a small win to appreciate. Be grateful for the practice.

Show up, stay open, and find joy in the process!