May 12, 2019 by Klaus Crow
You are busy, you’re making late hours, you’re weekends are full, and you’re just too tired. The moment you finally can sit down to relax, it’s hard to pick up the guitar. You really love playing, but at the end of the day you’re worn out.
Feeling tired after a hard days work is a reality, no doubt about it, but somewhere in that tired feeling there is also a part of the story you are telling yourself. Often when we feel too tired to do something and we do it anyway the story and the feeling disappears.
Especially when you start doing something that will make you feel better when you do it like exercise or playing guitar.
So, along with this knowledge you also need a trigger that makes you want to pick up your guitar.
Again, it all has to do with the story you tell yourself.
The moment you come home from work and sit down, start to be aware of your thoughts and the inevitable excuses your mind is going to make up to escape practicing.
Stop those thoughts immediately! They are just lazy thoughts, banish ‘m.
It could also be that you aren’t thinking about practicing at all, because of everything else in your life that comes first, like making dinner, errands, kids, homework, temptations and distractions.
So you got to negotiate with your family some fixed times to practice each week in a quiet space somewhere in the house where you won’t be disturbed.
You also got to set up reminders in your phone and on calendars when it’s time to practice so that you can’t forget.
Now those excuses are out of the way, it’s only a matter of telling yourself the right story when you’re really not feeling it.
You are probably telling yourself things like “I don’t have the time or energy to practice for half an hour, or an hour or whatever”, “I really first need to do this or that”, I will practice tomorrow, I promise”.
But what if instead you’d tell yourself “I will practice for only 5 minutes”. Yes I said 5 minutes, and 5 minutes only. Everyone can practice for 5 minutes. 5 minutes is like nothing. It’s like almost zero. Set a timer if it helps.
The point is, 5 minutes is all you need to get started. Once you get started everything changes. Your story changes, your feeling changes and you start getting excited and fuelled without even realizing it. You will totally forget the time and practice even more than 5 minutes. You will probably also turn off your timer and continue playing, because you’re not ready to stop yet.
The thing is, you don’t have to practice more than 5 minutes but you probably will, because it’s not about being too tired, or not wanting, or not being excited. It’s the “tired” story that needs to change and all you need to do is to start playing. The 5 minutes is the only thing you need to be on your way.
And 5 minutes (or more) a day is a lot better than “maybe” an hour tomorrow or the day after. 5 minutes accumulates. It adds up and you getter better and better.
The next step is to prepare what you want to practice, so when you start you will be super productive and improve when it all adds up.
Even, if only for 5 minutes.
Now don’t think, just start!
…and you’ll feel a lot better.
Yes, I mean now, at this very moment.
Go!
Hi all. Love this site. I h want to know if anyone has issues with carpel tunnel in their fret playing hand. I’ve tried splints, stretching exercises, and now get cortisone shots every three months but it doesn’t completely take the tingling and numbness away. Don’t want surgery . Thoughts?
Hey,
I’ve been using the 5 minute trick for quite a while now. I heard about it from another Klaus. (also an Internet guitar teacher) It is fairly effective. Another one of his gems was while you’re sitting there thinking about how you should be practicing it only takes a second of mental effort to stand up and go do it. When you find yourself thinking I should practice just stand up and go practice, it works well with the 5 minute trick because we are often thinking I should but I can’t be bothered. Turn that I can’t be bothered into I will for 5 minutes then I’ll go back to being lazy. As you say above 5 minutes often turns into much longer. If it doesn’t at least you’ve done 5 minutes more than you would have!
Another tip probably obvious but maybe some haven’t thought of it. Keep a guitar out on a stand, if it’s in a case that just adds another barrier to practice. I also keep a guitar in the room next to my kitchen so when I go boil the kettle etc I often pick up the guitar even if it’s just a couple of minutes.
I still don’t practice as much as I’d like or should but with the above tips I certainly practice/play more than I would without.
Cheers
Matt
Hi Becky,
My wife who also plays guitar had carpel tunnel syndrome. She had the same symptoms you describe.
When she played chords, especially bar chords her hand went numb right away.
I know you don’t want to, but my wife had surgery with good results.
It’s now like 8 years ago and she’s still doing fine.
Disclaimer:
I’m not a doctor and I don’t want to play one on the internet, so I suggest you to seek advice from your doctor.
Hope that helps.
Best,
Klaus Crow
Hi Matt,
That’s a good addition. A guitar on your guitar stand in eye sight is a great reminder. Whatever your eye picks up on will be the focus of your attention.
Great one there Matt!
Thanks,
Klaus Crow
trying to remember at 71 .
Hi Danny,
What a beautiful age to play guitar. Go for it!
Best,
Klaus Crow