By Aditya Shukla, psychologist and guitarist
Some licks are perfect, but most others are sloppy. You've practiced 1 thing too much and ignored other exercises/songs/licks.
1
You pick up the guitar and the first thing you play is the same every time. This means you've gotten stuck in a habit loop.
2
You've stopped analyzing your licks and have started forgetting the chord structures that pair with your licks.
3
At the end of your practice, you can't recall what you practiced and played. This means your practice routine runs on autopilot.
4
You replay things you already know but don't learn anything new.
5
You feel you are getting worse at things you used to play well. This means you are over-rehearsing and getting fatigued.
6
Start analyzing your licks for the chord structure, bass lines, etc.
Introduce 1 very small but new technique or lick to practice.
Mix and match guidelines from different pro guitarists.
Change the first thing you play after picking up the guitar every single time.
Skip things you can play really well and revisit them only once in a while.