Effortless vs. no effort
Effortlessness is an integral part of my strategy to guitar playing. In fact, it is the defining principle of my life.
But words have their limitations and the term ‘effortless’ is full of ambiguities. I’ve had at least one YSA (Young Smart Aleck) come and tell me he doesn’t practice because he’s doing it the “effortless” way.
Well, there’s a huge difference between effortless playing and not playing at all.
One describes a state of mastery, the other describes a state of general laziness (to use a politically incorrect word).
It got me thinking; how do you distinguish between effortless and no effort?
Here’re a few key differences that come to mind:
Effortless
Exerts minimal effort
Clearly defined goals
Practices intensely
Finds shortcuts to reduce effort
Gets results
Taps into nature’s energy
A state of mastery
No effort
Exerts zero effort
No goals
Does not practice
Finds excuses to avoid effort
No results
No effort, no energy required
A state of cluelessness
January 7th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Thanks for posting this. -Jim, recovering YSA
January 8th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hi Jim, thanks for dropping by again.