PosidoVega
It’s inevitable—at some point in your career you’re going to feel like you’ve hit a musical rut. It happens to all of us. It certainly happened to me, when I became a parent.
I went from having a few hours of focused practice every day to barely touching my bass guitar for more than 10 minutes. My chops took a serious hit, and as the years passed, I realized just how rusty my musical vocabulary had become.
Now that my child is a bit older and more independent, I’m finding more time to practice consistently, and I’m starting to make progress again.
Surprisingly, much of my progress has come from a shift in mindset rather than from practicing more. I used to resist the fact that my time was limited and my environment was chaotic. When I noticed my playing was stagnating, it only added to my negativity. It felt like things were always doom and gloom 24/7. It’s when I decided to adopt a more positive mindset, I began to notice improvement.
If you can relate, here are 10 daily affirmations to help you stay positive, notice improvements in your playing, and rediscover joy in the journey.
Let’s dive in.
What Are Affirmations?
Affirmations are positive statements or phrases that you repeat to yourself, often with the intention of influencing your mindset and behavior.
They’re designed to challenge and overcome negative thoughts, encouraging a more optimistic outlook and reinforcing a belief in your abilities and goals.
How Reframing Your Thoughts and Beliefs Can Get You Unstuck
When you repeat affirmations regularly, they can help you shift away from negative thinking patterns by focusing on your strengths, goals, and progress.
Having a positive shift in your thoughts and beliefs can profoundly impact how you experience your current reality. It made a difference for me, and I hope it will do the same for you.
The affirmations I used were ones that kept my mindset positive, reinforced my progress, and encouraged continuous learning.
When you remain in a positive state, you break the cycle of frustration and self-doubt.
When you remain in a positive state, you break the cycle of frustration and self-doubt.
You see, feeling stuck often leads to negative self-talk, which can further hinder creativity and motivation. By using affirmations, you can cultivate a more positive and constructive mindset. This helps you regain confidence, stay motivated, and ultimately find joy in your practice and growth again.
To sum it up, affirmations can help remind you that progress is possible and that each small step forward is a meaningful part of your journey.
10 Affirmations to Overcome a Musical Rut
When you’re stuck in a rut and trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts, use these affirmations to break free, shift your mindset, and reignite your motivation:
Affirmation #1: I am capable of growth and improvement, no matter where I am right now.
This affirmation is a good reminder that growth is always possible, regardless of your current situation or perceived limitations.
What I like to do is repeat this affirmation in my mind, or sometimes say it aloud a few times. Then, I like to set a small, achievable goal for my practice session.
This practice will guarantee that you are at the very least improving in some way—even if just 1% improvement.
Affirmation #2: Every practice session brings me closer to mastering my craft.
Consistent practice with your instrument is crucial. Reinforcing that every effort you make contributes to your overall mastery will help you maintain momentum.
After saying this affirmation a few times and internalizing what it means, I like to schedule regular practice sessions, even if they’re short. I find that when I put something down on my calendar, I am able to communicate that boundary with my family and they are able to support me when I am unavailable.
Affirmation #3: It’s okay to have setbacks; they are part of my journey to success.
This affirmation acknowledges that setbacks are normal and part of the learning process. When you acknowledge and accept that a setback happened, you’re able to reduce frustration and self-criticism. Take a setback as a matter of fact. There’s no need to wallow in self-pity.
Repeat this affirmation a few times after a setback. Then, identify what you can learn from your setback.
Affirmation #4: I’m creative and resourceful, and I can find new ways to express myself musically.
This affirmation encourages you to tap into your creativity and find unique ways to express your musical ideas.
When you find ways to break old habits, creativity is sure to spark, which leads to inspiration and new musical ideas.
After saying this affirmation and really feeling it in your core, try to experiment with new music from different musical styles or genres. Even the simple act to seek out and find new music can ignite your creativity in ways you’d never imagine.
Affirmation #5: Each challenge I face makes me a stronger and more resilient musician.
This affirmation focuses on the idea that overcoming challenges builds resilience and strength, making you a better musician.
Struggling doesn’t have to be experienced as a bad thing.
Repeat this affirmation when you’re feeling defeated. After that, remind yourself of past challenges you’ve overcome. This will give you the strength to keep going.
Affirmation #6: I trust the process and know that progress takes time and patience.
Stay patient and trust that progress will come with time and consistent effort.
A diamond isn’t made overnight. It’s a slow process that involves a lot of pressure.
Say this affirmation and feel your trust in the process. Then, break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. That way, you’ll see progress every step of the way.
Affirmation #7: I’m grateful for the opportunity to play music and express myself.
This affirmation fosters gratitude, which can help shift focus from frustration to appreciation for the ability to make music.
Practice gratitude often. I like to say this affirmation at the start and end of each practice session. I started doing this when I developed tendonitis in my forearms. There are some days when the pain is too much to do anything involving my hands, let alone play the bass guitar.
Affirmation #8: Every mistake is a learning opportunity that helps me grow as a musician.
This affirmation encourages a growth mindset, seeing mistakes not as failures but as valuable lessons.
Analyze your mistakes to understand why they happened and how to correct them.
If you’re coming back from a hiatus from your instrument, think about what you’d practice differently if you were to start all over again. Then go about and do that.
Affirmation #9: I believe in my talent and my ability to improve with consistent effort.
This affirmation boosts self-confidence and reinforces the belief that talent combined with hard work leads to success. In short, belief in yourself.
Stop telling yourself that you suck. Even if negative self-talk motivated you to practice in the past, that motivation came from a place of anxiety.
Affirmation #10: I release the need for perfection and allow myself to enjoy the process of making music.
Finally, this affirmation helps reduce pressure and anxiety, allowing you to enjoy music for its own sake rather than striving for perfection.
I encourage you to focus on playing music that you love and enjoy without worrying about mistakes. This will help you keep a curious childlike mindset.
Now It’s Your Turn
Embracing these affirmations can transform the way you think about your musical journey.
Instead of being weighed down by negative thoughts, you can lift yourself up with positivity, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Remember, every musician faces challenges, but it’s how you respond to them that defines your growth.
To keep evolving as a musician, check out my articles on boundless growth.
