I’m better than I was day 1 but not as good as I think I should be.
Keep that mindset every day right before practice. I'm sure Buddha can say better, but I used to record myself and then listen before I practiced later. I was a better critic of myself than well-wishing friends.
I will keep that in mind, currently trying to work up the nerve to let someone hear me play the scale I've been practicing.
I just found it motivating to listen back and see for myself I had made progress. There were many times I'd get so frustrated when I thought I wasn't getting better, then I could go back and prove to myself that I had. It was also an incentive to practice, on the days when it wasn't fun, to push through knowing in a week or months later I could see for myself it was worth it.
Oh at least for now I can see the difference every time I pick it back up, just in how easy the movements get compared to the day before, everyday I can move along the fret board a little easier, and it takes a little less effort to remember to pick up and down. I don't have to look at the fret board or which string I'm picking as often I see the progress, just I expect more of myself.
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