Your resolution will be easier than it feels

Ah, the new year. A time to pile pressure on yourself to be better than last year, only to give up on your resolution by February.

There are some common ones: lose weight, travel more — good luck — or maybe you want to learn a new skill. As someone who’s going through that process, I’ll say it’s much more achievable as an adult than you think, so long as you’re willing to stuff it up a few times first.

I’ve recently picked up the bass guitar. It seems a simple instrument, but I still made some rookie mistakes that hopefully you can learn from.

The first one was buying the gear on a whim. Sure, I scored a nice bass for a decent price, but it sat in the corner for months, a stark reminder of my failed attempt to be the next Krist Novoselic.

People are generally keen to bring others into their world, especially with stranger hobbies. I’d give anyone a crack on my racing simulator, and I should’ve tried before I bought here too.

Do be aware that you are going to suck the first time though.

I went in expecting to be shredding like Flea, and I definitely was not. A bit of pre-performance research would have gone a long way to avoid me standing there asking “how do I play a G?”

I was lucky enough to find people who let me know if I was improving. It’s hard to tell, especially with creative things. Just someone saying “that was better” is a good enough measurement for me.

Despite going in blindfolded a couple of months ago, we’re now looking at recording. Not bad for a bloke who’s only just picked up the instrument.

So if you’re still pondering that new year’s resolution, take Daniel Ricciardo’s advice — lick the stamp and send it on a new skill.

You might find your new passion, or you might find what it isn’t — winning either way.

Edward Scown is a reporter at the Geraldton Guardian