Want to know what creates the fastest progress you will ever see in music?
Not small progress.
I’m talking about the kind of leap where suddenly you’re doing things you couldn’t do a few weeks earlier.
The secret is simple.
Burn the boats.
There’s an old story about a general who lands his army on enemy territory, and the first thing he does is order the ships burned.
No way back.
No retreat.
Now the only option is to move forward and win.
When people know there is no escape, something changes.
Focus sharpens.
Energy rises.
People figure things out.
I was reminded of this today.
Someone in the music industry sent me an opportunity for my band. A really good one.
But the truth is… we’re not fully prepared for it yet.
So I had two options.
I could say, "Sounds great, but maybe later when we’re more ready."
Or I could say yes and figure it out.
So I said:
"Yes. 100%. Count us in."
I can’t tell you what the opportunity is yet. Some things in the music world have to stay quiet until official announcements.
But the point that matters for you, is this:
The moment you commit, everything changes.
Your brain switches into problem-solving mode.
This reminded me of something that happened when I was young.
I was working in a music store called Music Machine in Napier, New Zealand. My coworker Jeff was on the phone one day talking to someone about a gig.
He hangs up, turns to me, and says:
"I got you a gig."
I said, "What do you mean? I don’t even have a band."
Jeff just shrugged and said, "Well… you’re going to have to sort that out."
And he gave me the date.
There was no backing out.
Suddenly there was no option to sit around thinking about it.
I had to find players.
Write songs.
Rehearse.
Get ready.
And that’s exactly what happened.
We built the band and played the gig on a big stage in front of a packed room.
The pressure created the progress.
A few years later I did the same thing to a couple of younger musicians I knew. They were great players but didn’t have a full band yet.
So I told them they were opening for my band at a show.
They looked at me and said, "But we don’t even have a band."
I said, "Then you’d better get one. You’ve got a 30-minute set and this is the date."
I totally stole Jeff’s line. And it worked.
They found a drummer.
The guitarist started singing.
They wrote songs.
They played the show.
That band went on to tour around New Zealand and release multiple records.
All because the boats were burned.
So here’s the challenge for you today.
What would burning the boats look like for your guitar playing?
Maybe it’s telling your family that at the next gathering you’re going to perform something.
Maybe it’s signing up for an open mic night and putting your name on the list.
Maybe it’s starting a band and booking your first gig.
Maybe it’s booking studio time to record something.
The specific decision doesn’t matter.
What matters is removing the escape route.
Because the moment you commit, your brain starts solving the problem.
You start practicing with purpose.
You start moving forward.
So here’s the challenge.
Burn the boats.
Make a decision.
Tell someone close to you about it so it’s real.
Then tune in tomorrow, because I’m going to show you how to take that decision and turn it into focused momentum so you start moving in exactly the right direction.
Charlie
P.S. Hit reply and tell me what your "burn the boats" commitment is and who you’re telling about it. I read every reply.
Tomorrow I’ll show you how to turn that decision into real momentum.
P.P.S. If you can bring someone with you, do it. Start a band. Get a friend to learn bass. Book an open mic together. Progress is faster when you’re not doing it alone.
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Guitar Mastery Method
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