Lead Guitar Tactics

Archive for March, 2010

I have just returned from the trip of a lifetime. As I sit here trying to put it all in perspective it’s hard to believe that it really happened at all. I have so much I could share but I have one really big takeaway that I want to share with you.

I went with a group of nine to Nepal and India. The group included 4 teens (including my twin sons, now 14) and 5 adults. The main objective of the trip was to visit schools to contribute and deliver much needed supplies like backpacks, paper and pencils, things we often take for granted.

The backpacks were the big donation as some of these kids walk up to two hours each day downhill and back up again just to get to school. Before we left we organized some fundraising to help provide the materials. I am happy to say we were able to provide materials for 280 students.

Here are a few photos from one our school visits in Nepal.

I forgot to mention that upon our arrival we were given flower leis and appropriately ordained by the children. You can see me in all my glory in the last photo.

The other two pictures show us giving out the backpacks and a few of the children with their new backpacks.

We had to trek for two days just to reach our campsite and from there we had to hike down to visit the school and back up again to our campsite, just like many of the school kids.

Now here’s the deal. Our first two days of trekking involved about six hours of walking each day and I am not exaggerating when I say most of it was uphill. It is the Himalayas after all. I have to tell you it was not easy. There were times when I wanted to quit.

And there were other times when I just had to stop and remind myself…

One Foot In Front Of The Other

The switchbacks just went on forever. You could see the top of the switchback and think, “finally I am at the top.” And you would get there only to find another switchback. But you could not quit. You had to make it to the campsite. Really…what was the alternative? Just lay on the ground and sleep on the trail?

Eventually we all made it our own due time. We did not all arrive together. We went at our own pace
but we made it!

Now I ask you, isn’t this like life? And I don’t mean to compare various life situations with learning the guitar but since this is a guitar website I will throw this out as well. Isn’t this like learning the guitar too?

Now matter what you are up to there are going to be times when it’s a struggle to take that next step. And beyond that…

How Many Times Do We Not Even Get Off The Trail?

Think about it. Don’t you often start something only to give up? Or you just wander around the trail aimlessly never really seeming to get anywhere.

When I was out there walking in the Himalayas I knew where I had to go…to the next campsite, school, etc. Stopping and giving up was not an option. I had a clearly defined destination and I had to get there.

What if you approached things in your life that way or learning the guitar? What if you had clearly defined goals and that stopping or giving up was not an option? What kind of difference would that make for you.

A few years ago I wrote a report on achieving your guitar goals. It would be easy to dismiss it as having no value and in fact, I am sure many people have. But I have received messages from other that recognized the value in it. I would like to offer it here again now…

http://leadguitartactics.com/8steps.pdf

I am serious about. Take some time to think about what you want out of life. Set some goals and don’t let the naysayers stop you. Most important of all, don’t stop yourself. It’s easy to give up and quit when the going is difficult. Act as if you have no choice…you have to make it.

Best Wishes,

Bob

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