Learn to Paint the Ukulele Way

I am reading an excellent book called How to Be Alive: A Guide to the Kind of Happiness That Helps the World by Colin Beavan . It is about getting back to living life fully. Getting off the hamster-wheel of life where we chase things and waste out personal resources - including our precious time.

One story in the book is about a guy on holiday who gets an opportunity to play a ukulele. I think they were in Hawaii. He has never played an instrument before. A friend shows him four chords and he slowly learns them. He gets a kick out of learning these simple chords. A ukulele is much easier to learn than a guitar. He feels good.

Before going home he sees a second hand ukulele going cheap and buys it on the spur of the moment. When he gets back home he looks up a few ukulele lessons on YouTube. He practices off and on making quick progress with these simple lessons. Minutes a day. He focuses on one simple tune and soon can play this melody. He feels great.

Little by little our ukulele player gains confidence and even starts to sing a bit too. After a time he plays his ukulele in front of his friends and they love it. Some time later, after more practice, he performs for a larger group. He is appreciated by strangers for his ukulele playing. He is amazed about where he has reached considering his lack of musical education.

The Takeaways are:

1. He did not run out to buy a new and expensive guitar or even a ukulele;
2. He spent a few bucks on a second hand ukulele,
3. He found free lessons on YouTube
4. He practiced a little here and there when he had time
5. He only learnt one simple tune
6. He took his time

This story moved me because of the simplicity of our hero's approach to learning. No brash talk, no big money spent. No big talk about learning a difficult instrument only to grow bored and abandon the project later on. Then move onto the next one. This reminds me of how we sabotage our efforts by heading in the wrong direction. These days it is about instant gratification, spending money on professional kit and stopping when it gets difficult.

No Fear and No Pressure
By taking a simple and honest approach he also put aside the fears that come with unreasonable expectations. Spending too much money can bring on guilt. The pressure to justify the expense. Then there is the self-defeating mantra that comes when the activity is inevitably abandoned. How often have you felt bad about not meeting unreasonable expectations? Yes we have all been there. Instead take a simple and genuine approach. One that does not set you up for failure. Embrace the journey and see it through to the end. That is the way to build confidence and achieve results.

Why not follow the ukulele approach for everything? Take it easy and learn comfortably. Not spending too much money. Getting the job done a little step at a time and being humble. Not comparing ourselves to others. Taking pleasure in the process.

​PS: A reminder that you can find a Free painting course on my website. Use the ukulele approach and have fun painting.

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