HERE’S A MAP TO THE ONE. (coming soon)
The post The One appeared first on The Official Smokstik Site.
Source: Smokstik Official
Frustration is My Fuel
As I sit here in a Starbucks feeling a bit frustrated I’m reminded that frustration is actually a fuel for me. It pushes me into taking new kinds of actions. When I get tired and frustrated enough of my current situation I finally stop beating my head against the same wall and look for a door or a window or something.
Progress is made not only by regular application of effort but changing who and what you are in the process. Not just playing your instrument but digesting new material, mastering new techniques, writing new songs and so forth. Playing the same material that you already know is like working the same job and doing it the same way over and over again. Until you get to the level that you want to be at you have to constantly be pushing onward and upward. Once you reach “that level” it probably won’t be enough, either so you will continue to learn, master material and grow.
When you start feeling frustrated it’s a signal that you are not satisfied with the situation that you are in. What can you do to improve you circumstances? Are you doing the work and acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to get to the next level? Are you surrounding yourself with others of a like mind? Are you seeking out new ideas and opportunities for growth and progress?
My challenge is to turn frustration into productive action and not allowing it to turn to anger and getting caught up in my feelings. I must recognize the frustration and realize that I need to step back and take a look at what I’m doing and what changes I need to make in myself and/or my situation. The frustration is a little fire in my gut to help me to expend the time and energy to make the changes necessary for me to get past (and over) whatever is making me frustrated.
I find that it’s also helpful to have your goals written down somewhere where you will see them. When I feel myself getting frustrated I can look at what it is I’m trying to do, what I have accomplished and what my next steps are so that I can “stay in the zone” so to speak. In my case I’m working on using a website as a place to keep my goals, my lists, to document my efforts and so forth. When I open up a browser that’s my homepage so I can check my lists, note my progress, document thoughts and ideas and so forth. Though I prefer to write things down I find that I end up with tons of pieces of paper all over so the digital workflow scrapbook is a better way.
So a reminder to myself- TURN FRUSTRATION INTO FUEL.
The post Frustration is My Fuel appeared first on Kingvegas.
Source: Kingvegas Blog
Running Things- New Smokstik Single
Running Things by Smokstik Smokstik has released a new single called Running Things. This song was written as a reminder for Kingvegas to stay focused and get things done. more »
The post Running Things- New Smokstik Single appeared first on The Official Smokstik Site.
Source: Smokstik Official
What You Do and Don’t Do
When trying to make progress in life (or even just stay afloat) we are often looking for advice on what to do but sometimes it’s what we don’t do that will make a big impact in how quickly we progress (or if we do at all!)
I first came to this conclusion when I was trying to lose a little weight and I was running on the treadmill watching the calorie counter go up oh so slowly… It occurred to me that instead of trudging along on this treadmill I could just pass on the bag of chips. Boom! There’s 160 fewer bad calories with not even an iota of physical effort.
Now if I would pass on the bag of chips and do my cardio then I was making some real progress. I find that progress builds on progress. When I see myself moving forward it inspires me to stay the course and continue to progress. If I’m working out regularly but not seeing much improvement in my body composition then do I just work harder or eliminate the real problem- a poor diet?
When practicing it can be easy to fall into old habits, play old licks that are comfortable, try to play things without slowing them down and cleaning them up, etc. The time saved in tackling new material as well as starting at the beginning and working up instead of just haphazardly throwing stuff together saves a lot of time in the long run and you will see your playing improve dramatically. I have to check myself on this pretty much daily. Yes- warm up with something familiar for a few minutes but always be looking for new ideas and learn them correctly then play them at tempo.
Do your best not to engage in behaviors that are bad or non-productive habits and make it a habit to work hard and smart. By eliminating the non-productive habits from our lives we can really enhance the positive work that we are already doing. The effect is truly exponential.
I challenge you to find just one habit that is setting you back- whether it’s alcohol, ice cream, too much non-productive time on social media, watching TV or playing the same old licks over and over. Replace those habits with healthier and more productive habits. But try just one. Give it 30 days. See what happens!
(my challenge is to lay off the ice cream. my goal is to lower my body fat. just one thing…)
The post What You Do and Don’t Do appeared first on Kingvegas.
Source: Kingvegas Blog
The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks)
The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks) by Smokstik
Here’s the first Smokstik release of 2016. I’ve been working on this tune for a few years and finally got it finished. I hope that my output of new Smokstik material will be much better in 2016. I have a bunch of unfinished tunes that just need a little polish to be ready to go. I play Warr Guitar, sing and program the drums on this one. (as well as writing and recording it)
For more info about this track check out the full post at Smokstik.com.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL POST
The post The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks) appeared first on Kingvegas.
Source: Kingvegas Blog
The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks)- the New Smokstik Single
The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks) by Smokstik Here’s the first Smokstik release of 2016. I’ve been working on this tune for a few years and finally got it finished. more »
The post The 500 Song (The Abarth Rocks)- the New Smokstik Single appeared first on The Official Smokstik Site.
Source: Smokstik Official