Two of the biggest roadblocks to progress in playing the classical guitar are intrusive thoughts: negative self-talk and random mental chatter. These distracting thoughts seem to pop into your head despite your best intentions.

Negative self-talk is the collection of put-downs that form inside of your head when you are experiencing a roadblock in your practice session, or perhaps after a mistake during a performance. Mental chatter often intrudes during practice, especially when you must perform a repetitive task which bores you, perhaps a scale or fingering which you must do over many times in order to master.

To have a productive practice session with your classical guitar, become aware of these all-too-human tendencies, and learn how to let go of the internal chatter and the self-criticism. When you notice that you are talking to yourself too much, let go of that inner voice which interrupts your session with random thoughts, then turn your attention back to your music.

Employ frequent breaks, especially when repetitive work becomes boring. During performances and challenging practice sessions, foster an attitude of acceptance. Avoid labeling your work "good" or "bad." If your playing is going well, leave it as it is; if you are having difficulties, make the necessary changes without self-condemnation. Take the time to affirm yourself, remembering your accomplishments.

With this calm approach, you will be able to perceive your playing in a more realistic frame of mind--and thus evaluate it in perspective. Moreover, you will allow your body and your mind to function freely and naturally. Dropping needless mental chatter helps to develop a calm, noncritical awareness of your playing. Even when you become aware of the chatter, however, it can be difficult to overcome. Techniques which boost focus, such as deep breathing, can be very helpful for reducing such "mental noise."

Exercise, adequate hydration, proper nutrition, as well as adequate amounts of sleep each night contribute much to your brain's health. Paying attention to those lifestyle choices can make the difference between a wandering mind and a focused one.

As you master your tendency to let your mind wander during times of stress or boredom, you will find that both practice and performance will become more productive in less time. These habits will soon become second nature and pay off big dividends in improvement in your technique and artistry on the classical guitar.