Written By: Daniel Bryant
Business Instructor | Aston American University
There is a saying made popular from the American film, “The Shining” that says: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” What this expression means is that without time away from work, one may become bored, boring or worse, simply unhappy. It is therefore common in the United States that even for those of us with very rigorous work and family schedules, pursuing a hobby is necessary to de-stress. One of my favorite hobbies is playing the guitar, an activity that has provided many benefits to my life over the last 20+ years.
I first picked up a guitar at the age of 10! Yes, that is younger than most budding musicians, but for me, the allure was simple: I grew up watching my father play and was in awe by the way he turned his amplifier up loud and lost himself in his passion – sometimes for hours on end. I asked him to teach me and my younger brother (who was 9 years old at the time) a few “scales,” which are drills that allow the beginner to develop the rhythm and finger dexterity needed to navigate the fretboard. He obliged, but for whatever reason, I did not find scaling all that exciting; alas, it appeared my dream to be a famous guitar player was doomed from the start. That is until one day my brother showed me how to make a “power cord.” My fingers struggled to get into proper position, but once they did, I stroked my picking hand across the strings and “BOOOOOOOOM!” A louder and more ferocious sound I had yet to hear, capturing my imagination instantly.
For the next several years, my brother and I played feverishly, fantasizing about our fictional heavy metal band and coming up with band names constantly for our group. We went through about 30 or so names, never truly settling on one, but nevertheless, kept playing. In fact, we continue the tradition of playing together (which we call “jamming”) whenever we see each other.
Nowadays, playing my guitar offers me many benefits, some of which extend beyond being just one of my creative outlets. In fact, continuing to play has taught me a lot about life; in that, how much effort I put into something, is exactly what I am going to get out of it. Let me give an example:
Let’s say I have not been practicing my scales for 3 months. When it comes time to play a new song for my wife, she will be unimpressed, as my playing will have lost some of its crispness – talk about embarrassing. However, by continuing to be diligent in my practice, I will sometimes amaze her in what I have been able to write. She is not easy to impress, by the way.
Last and perhaps most important, playing my guitar provides me with a much needed distraction from the stressors of everyday life. One does not have time to worry about things like work deadlines when the pursuit of writing the perfect song is in motion. While many might read this and encourage me to put my time into more “adult” pursuits, I would tell these well-meaning individuals that by allowing myself time to “play,” I am able to recharge myself, which makes me a better husband, instructor, friend, employee, etc. I would encourage anyone reading this to find an activity that you are truly passionate about and dive headlong into it. You cannot possibly know how impactful it may be in your life!
