True. And also smell some flowers right in front of you^^
Balance, as always.
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congrats ! 
now give it your all to make it come true
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@MacOneill It’s gonna take a while because I’m an introvert and ‘ugh, people!’ you know? But now that I know I want it, it’s going to happen sooner or later. Thank you for being patient with me today 
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These are all good thoughts from reliable community voices. @sevi like you, two years I wanted to learn everything NOW and bounced around some in the JG courses. You have the inspiration, so try to focus on doing one or two aspects of learning guitar at a time until you feel competent at them. I decided last year not to sign up for Justin’s blues immersion course, and rather to focus on learning fingerstyle and playing chord melodies. I also took the Strumming SOS courses. Those things helped me be able to take songs that pop randomly into my nebulous brain and learn to play them, and to start to play little solos. That’s where the fun is. This morning I took a trip back to 1964 and learned to strum and play some of the picked lines the Beatles’ And I Love Her.
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Are you performing anywhere?
If not - try. It will motivate you 
Hi Eva,
What you describe mirrors my comment in the 2024 Top 1 Guitar related Frustrating Aspect topic. I hit a plateau, and feel like I can’t advance. I’ve come to accept that this is part of the journey.
My own story: I had completed Grade 2 in late 2023, was trying to consolidate, and felt stuck - much as you describe. I’ve engaged one of Justin’s teachers to help me through this. It’s been fabulous - the focus is on learning songs, and those songs use techniques that I’ve been stuck on. At the same time, I’m slowly working my way through the Grade 3 lessons, continue to think about theory, and am doing ear training. Now when I hit the inevitable plateau I mentioned above - whether in the songs from the teacher or from Justin’s lessons - I set the thing aside for a while. I’ll return to it, and it’s fresh again. I don’t expect to be an “intermediate” player for at least another year, and perhaps it will be longer. It’s all good - I can play things I never thought possible and I’m still learning, even if I don’t yet play as well as I’d like.
I also found a class through our local community college. I didn’t learn much from class itself, but I did meet a few people to play with. I even participated in a Christmas concert with the group - my first public performance! Be aware, though: each of the folks I’ve met have different personal goals, and most have fairly strong personalities. I’ve chosen to interact as “the new player” and follow their leads even though they go in directions I personally wouldn’t choose. It’s interesting!
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I felt like that Eva. The real change for me happened when I started to learn and memorise things using my ear. I’m afraid this will sound weird to many, like “well of course! You’re playing Music, what else are you supposed to use?!” But it’s not something I could give for granted, while I was paying attention to other important aspects like timing or the fretting hand I was not able to actively listen to myself while playing and I was unable to feel really connected with my guitar. I’m not sure I can explain it effectively with words. It’s like feeling the magic of being able to play Music, being in the Music and know what you’re doing note by note, chord by chord…knowing what is to play next because you hear in your mind you should play an A or a G and you just know while you’re doing it, not just because you’ve memorised a chord progression.
Maybe you already are experiencing all this and this not your case then, what I’ve been describing insofar.
Rick! Over 30?!! Do the 2 chords C and G count?
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I just pause and smile when those occasions happen. Playing songs that I know in my “musical mind” because I’ve been listening to and singing along with them since my teens helps. Knowing the fretboard without having to look too much makes it smooth.
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@sevi
Maybe the recording of my live club could inspire you
It is about self-assessment, (SWOT), mindmapping opportunities and goal setting.
At this point I probably couldn’t play one from memory. To be honest I’m not that bothered as have no intention of playing for anyone but me. It all depends on your goals and motivations.
Hi!
What worked for me was buying the Justin song app after doing his free lessons for 3 months. Playing music that sounds like the song was important to me. I have owned my guitar for 2 years now and also bought justins music theory class when it was 1/2 price. Almost finished theory but for me an in person or online class with an instructor would be preferable. At a certain point it is too complex.
About 8 months ago after watching various other youtube instructors I found a great teacher in the UK for zoom lessons. That has quickly propelled me into learning more difficult songs using advanced chords, timing, finger style techniques that would take forever without personal coaching and feedback.
Find a great instructor who plays music you love. Even one lesson a month ( record them and replay!) is so valuable. Learn basics of music theory but dont get bogged down if not your thing. Just one day at a time. So much to learn so let your heart steer the journey. Many paths to get where you want to go.
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Do you ever play with other people? For me, playing with others is what music is about & being able to play with other people is what motivates me most. I go to a weekly jam with 5-15 people at various levels of playing ability… usually there’s a drummer and bass player, a bunch of guitarists and a smattering of other instruments. It’s low pressure and a great place to learn to play better.
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I’ve been doing the modules for 2.5 years and am at the end of grade 3/beginning of grade 4. I couldn’t tell you what keeps me motivated other than to say I have spent a buttload of money and two years of my life, I don’t want it to go to waste. I don’t even like playing songs that much, I just want to demystify the instrument. I feel a little uninterested in grade 4, partially because the structure goes away, but also because I’m not that interested in blues. I wish there was a rock path. But I think it’s generally viewed that blues is the foundation of rock so I guess I should do the blues stuff. At this point in my mindset I’ll keep going, partially because I simply like Justin, partially because of the money, and partially because I still have a lot of curiosity about guitar.
I’d say you could find something about the guitar that piques your curiosity, be it how and why techniques are the way they are and study it from that standpoint. Or just decide whether your current investment is enough to keep you going. Or if you just like having a cool hobby that one day might impress somebody.
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I agree! It does help.
This is something I don’t relate to, looking at the fretboard actually helps me to be in the zone. I’ve been wondering about unfretted instruments like the violin for example though and how that works. My Classical Guitar heroine, Ana Vidovic always has her eyes on her fingers or fretboard, and that’s the example I decided to follow. I’m pretty sure it’s different depending on the genre one plays.
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Hi Eva
You are ahead of me but I can relate to your thoughts. Personally because I enjoy singing and playing enables that, I find that my motivation stays solid as long as I continue to be able to add songs that I enjoy to my repertoire.
I guess it’s really about what motivates you to play 
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I feel that, over the years on this forum, that this topic is common. Somewhere in grade 3 we have learned enough to be able to see what is really ahead better. It is daunting and there are choices to make.
It seems to take a little of the wind out of our sails.
I guess I would just try to be reassured that it is normal to be experiencing this and keep plugging along. For me, I took a break from specific lessons and played songs, played songs, played songs. It was fun, let me consolidate somewhat and got me through.
I still like to play songs and learn songs rather than do too many lessons. So that works for me. Could I progress faster or more efficiently with a different approach? Maybe, probably, but I like what I do.
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Hi @sevi I had the same problem towards the end of grade 3. My solution was taking a 1-2-1 lesson with a teacher to try out Classical guitar. I have spent the last year working on a formal path with the option of taking grade exams. (Trinity College London Classical Guitar). Rewatch (or watch if haven’t already seen it) Justin’s goals video. He tells you to go exploring.
Try somewhere like LessonFace to find a teacher who teaches a different style of guitar that may interest you - I joined a free Flamenco taster session, it wasn’t for me long term but great fun to try. I have really enjoyed the achievement of learning to read music over the last year and apply it to some new pieces.
Your thing is out there, have a look round.
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Hi Eva!
As an 18 year old, just out of high school, I found myself in a sales job. My boss had me listening to motivational speakers on cassette tapes whenever we weren’t busy & the overwhelmingly common advice was to SET GOALS. Most of them advocated writing them down - if they’re not written down, they’re dreams - not goals.
My favorite story was about a man who wanted a Lear jet… that was his ultimate dream. He had an 8"x10" picture of a Lear in flight on his refrigerator. He had a picture posted on his sun visor in the car. He had a picture on his bulletin board at work. Finally, all his hard work paid off & he got to buy the Lear! He was so excited that he went to the airport in San Francisco & told his pilots to file a flight plan to Chicago so he could have lunch at his favorite restaurant in the whole world. Off they went to Chicago, he had his favorite meal! What a great day! He got back to the airport & the pilot handed him a bill - for $20,000! “What’s this?” he exclaimed! “That’s the fuel bill, sir.” replied the pilot… 
His point, set your goals, but take into account not only what it takes to get there & ALSO what you’ll do once it’s been achieved!
We’re pretty lucky that with guitar, no matter how well you play & what skills you master, there’s always more to learn & always another “hill” to climb. I think this is a good thing… the curious cat inside that wants to see over the next hill, what’s around the next corner, who’s going to listen to my next virtuoso performance!!! 
I’ve found that thinking deeply about what you want to get/do & then posting goals in places that you look at often helps to keep them in mind & keeps you motivated to work towards them!
Good luck finding your “mojo”!!!
Tod
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It can also be important to set limits, or you may find yourself spending $20,000 on guitar gear! I imagine a few people in this community have reached that unexpected goal.
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Ummmmm… 
I don’t THINK so… 
Quite consciously have NOT added up the total… nor has my wife. That way, if she EVER ASKS, I can, in complete honesty, say that I do not know!!! 
Tod
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