Go suck at something
Normally I don’t post these types of thoughts, but I had a conversation with an acquaintance a few weeks ago, and the thought of it has been compelling me to get this out there.
If I could only give you one tip on how to lead a better life, I would give you this:
Go suck at something.
At first it sounds like I’m putting you off, but don’t be deceived by the tone. The basic principle here is that if you go and try something you’ve never tried before, you won’t be any good at it; but that is the point.
There are literally hundreds of things you can try with very little cost or preceding effort (if any at all):
Do you have a car and a driver’s license? You can enter an autocross race! You probably won’t win, but what do you care?
Do you own a pistol? Do some searching for your local IDPA and go competition-shooting. It’s completely safe, and a hell of a good time! And, seriously… it’s like $20! If you don’t own a gun that’s fine! Call your local shooting range and RENT one for an hour.
Neither of the above mentioned require any training, classes, or special equipment. Just get in the car, and go!
Buy a camera, and learn to use it. There are hundreds of weekend photo courses you can take for as little as $25.
Need more horsepower than a camera can offer? Go get your motorcycle license. You may never use it, but so what? You can take the basic rider course for less than $150 in most places. They supply the motorcycle, the helmet and the instructors!
Want to impress the ladies (or men I’m not judging)? Go pick up a cheap guitar and watch some YouTube videos. You can learn basic chords and songs without ever leaving your house. You’ll sound like shit and have a blast doing it!
Looking for more of a challenge? Try an auto or motorcycle track day at your local race track, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) in the continental US.
Call your local skydiving school and jump out of a plane in just 5 steps! (OK, you probably don’t want to suck at this one but you get the point.)
I’m sure you’ve seen this famous quote (or some variation of it):
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!”
- Bill McKenna
Outside of it’s obvious intent to convey a feeling of wildness and reckless abandon, I think there is another message here. To me, there is more emphasis on the “get out there and do something” subtext than on its “burn the candle at both ends” connotation.
So get off your ass, get out there and go suck at something!