For Christmas, my big brother bought me a new guitar.

A very, very nice, Martin Guitar. (Willie Nelson’s guitar Trigger is also a Martin. You’re welcome for that bit of trivia).

I’ve played the guitar since I was 13 or 14, but I’m mostly a casual hack who plays whenever I feel like it. It’s a coping strategy, but not something I tend to do everyday. Years ago I had the chance to play a Martin in a music store, and I fell in love with it. But I’m not a musician, so while it was fun to play, I’ve always said that I’m not good enough to buy that kind of guitar.

But the funny thing is, since my brother gave me this guitar, I’ve played almost every day. I’m learning more songs - playing new licks. Picking it up and tooling around at night when I get home. I’ve played this new guitar more in a month than I’ve played in the past six months.

(I’d argue that I’m getting better, though Sheila might disagree.)

Which makes me think that I’ve had my belief system backwards.

Recently, in reading the book Atomic Habits, author James Clear discussed the part that beliefs play in developing habits. Well, for the last 20 years, my belief around playing the guitar has been, I’m a hack, so I’m not going to buy myself a nice guitar.

I don’t play well enough to buy a nice guitar.

I don’t deserve a nice guitar.

I won’t buy myself a new guitar until I’m good enough to play one. And yet, with a nicer instrument, I’m playing better.

What actions are you kicking down the road because you are waiting for something? I’d like to try yoga, but I’m not very flexible. I’d like to try Qicong, but I’m terrible with balance. I’d like to join a gym, but I just don’t have time.

In my case, I’m thankful that my brother decided to give me such a generous gift. In part because I’m enjoying the guitar so much, but also because of the awakening it’s brought to me.

Sometimes we get it backwards.

So maybe it’s time for you to flip the script on some of the stories you’ve been telling yourself.