A lot of people seem to think that since I am a touring “pro” guitarist with recordings and DVDs that I am “the expert” and that’s the end. Not the case! The truth is that I love studying, learning and practicing.
For example – over the last 2 weeks I’ve read 5 books on marketing, ad copyrighting and web technology – and I plan to re-read them because the info was so good.
Oh Goodness, Heavens Gracious! Did Adam the guitar player just admit this?
Yes! All this stuff other than playing guitar is also important for me to keep up on. They all serve my music, touring and career!
Discovering and realizing new things – musical and otherwise – is the fun part of the journey. See what I am saying?
Here’s some great advice that I’d like to pass on from Brian Tracy – and this helps me keep my mind fresh in the way I have described…
Read 30 minutes in your field each morning. This is called “The Golden Hour” when the mind is clear, receptive and the day’s “tone” is set. After a year – that’s a lot of reading. Just think how much you’d learn.
The more you read and learn, the more you want to read and learn. Like a muscle, the mind gets stronger when it’s used and weaker when it’s not.
Adam’s Advice:
Don’t check your email first thing in the morning. That’s right! – wait. That’s a “reactive” activity as opposed to an active one.
If you are spending senseless time on video games, news sites, entertainment, and sites like Facebook, fiddling with your “smart” phone – just say NO and set that time aside and read 30 minutes every morning.
Watch what happens to your life in a month.
Rock on!
Latest posts by adamrafferty (see all)
- FGH-0009: How can you overcome nervousness and panic when playing solo fingerstyle guitar onstage? - September 11, 2018
- FGH-0008: Interview with Robin Bullock – Celtic Guitar, Mandolin, Cittern and More… - August 30, 2018
- FGH-0007: Interview with Guitarist Mike Dowling – American Roots, Bottleneck Blues, Ragtime and More… - August 9, 2018
Really appreciate your emails and insight!
Rex
thank you Adam, I will do it.
Adam,
this simple advise is so much more than a great guitar show only and worth to be spread into the world!
Thank you mate and see you soon!
Cheers Bernd
I will try it out – 30 minutes, I think I can do that! Thanks Adam, I’ll tell how it worked!
Cheers, Hansel
Hi Adam, good thing, I already do so in the morning (and the evening as well;-) Reading ´bout music, learning from the others, the best deal to prepare for practising. I love reading how other centuries´composers thought about music and “marketing”. Mozart was the first who had the idea of getting paid for a composition whenever it´s performed, not only once. They got money only once for the work itself, but the next evening of an opera event wasn´t paid anymore;-)
Cheers from Germany, Frank
You are 100% right about this! Thanks!
Morning Adam!
For some reason I woke at 4:30 am. I’ve been working on tommy emmanuel’s arrangement of amazing grace and felt led to pick up my martin and practice, which I did (so far to go!)
Then…I checked my email. I know you’ll excuse me this time, for I read your email about starting the day with 30 min of reading.
You are right on! I’m going to do it for 30 days. No more reaching for the phone to check emails first thing in the morning. Will do some reading instead.
Thanks Adam for the real-time encouragement!
YES! Absolutly 100% right, Adam!!!
Adam; I had the pleasure of hearing you play in Niagara Falls last year with Jamie,my guitar teacher.I understand you are coming back in December.I want the first ticket!There is an old,wise expression:”That which is used will develop,that which is not used wastes away” Food for thought.Thanx,Bob C.
See you Dec 12 – I think 🙂
Thanks for the reminder! It can be easy to get distracted, if it’s allowed.
Distracted? Who gets distracted? (He says ironically)
– ADHDavid
Great advice! Now if I can just make myself do it.
You can do it!
Thanks a lot,
LOL
I like you Adam!
Thank you!
Thanks for this advice, i got it and will try it !!
Like your funky face : )
Thanks for commenting Rodrigo!
That is GOLDEN advice my friend, words to live by. Thanks bro.
I like to read your mails, any time at day! Always good thoughts. Can we see you in Sweden sometime? Gothenbourg?
I will also Take advantage of your advice! Thank you, Adam!
I’ve been trying to figure out how to control the email/web browser monster myself. My ADHD makes me particularly susceptible. I’m ashamed to say there are days when I never get out of that hole. But I think reading for content might just do it. After generally getting up and organized, then coffee and breakfast, another half hour should give me time for my ‘focus meds’ to kick in. I’ll give it a go, I’ve got a reading backlog, anyway.
David