I think I'm finally getting it.

You see my friends, it's all about control. And not just control, but effortless control. So effortless, in fact, that it becomes a habit -- requires little to no thinking. Yet you have the perfect control.

I used to practice/noodle on my guitar for hours, but you know what I did? I played faster than the rate I could control. I'd make mistakes and noises all over the place. And when I perform, I still play that way.

The way to get better is to practice playing effortlessly. Slow down to the point where I have perfect control over ever aspect. Repeat, practice. Soon the effort becomes effortless. Then, and only then, I can speed it up to a point, but only to a point where I am still maintaining that perfect, effortless control.

Same thing happens with money. You can't hang on to more money than what you can control. You may stumble onto a nice lump, sure, but you won't be able to keep it. You have to control what you have. Every dollar spent and not spent must be results of clear intentions, not fear- or habit-driven impulses. Then when you have more money, you can keep it.

It's never about instant gratification -- in fact, that will keep you from having more of what you want. The illusion of pretending that I can play fast , the rush of buying stuff, or comfort of not spending money even when you should b/c spending money is "evil" -- all are counterproductive to my growth. If you want to go fast, then you got to go slowly. Taking each step with clear intentions and perfect control.

Wow, I have a lot of unlearning to do. Away with old habits! In with new!