With the first month of 2016 under your belt, it’s time that you admit something. You’re a procrastinator. Say it out loud. Don’t be ashamed; accept who you are and own it. So what if New Year’s Eve has come and gone and you haven’t made a resolution yet? There’s no rule saying resolutions must be made and started on the 1st of January. There’s no reason to tuck your tail between your legs and wait for 2017 to make a resolution. You can make a list of goals and jump into them whenever you like—whether that’s in February, July, or December 31st.
The important part is that you set a goal and make a point to achieve it. While many of your friends and family planned to add another fitness-inspired resolution to their goals in 2016, don’t be fooled into making the same mistake. Yes—a mistake; for resolutions related to diet and exercise are the first ones to be broken. You may be a procrastinator who’s late for the party, but you’re no quitter. Instead, you want to make sure you can proudly strike off your single goal or whole list of objectives for 2016.
If diet and exercise are out, what’s a worthy resolution to make it to the top of your list? Don’t get sucked in by fad resolutions that don’t offer long-term benefits to you or your lifestyle. As you brainstorm, consider taking a music lesson and make learning an instrument your goal for this year.
Picking up an instrument isn’t just a way to fill your time with a new hobby. It comes with a whole list of mental, physical, and emotional benefits that can make you a smarter, more fulfilled human being in 2016. Dedicated practice to any instrument can
- Improve memory
- Improve hand-eye co-ordination
- Strengthen cognitive abilities, including reading comprehension, organizational, and mathematical skills
- Provide emotional outlet for self-expression
- Improve mood through the release of endorphins
- Relieve stress
- Boost social skills and build team work (when playing with others)
- Inspire creativity
It’s quite an impressive list, proving that learning an instrument can keep your brain and soul fitter than any resolution for a new diet or weight lifting regiment. But the only way to reap all of these benefits is by starting.
Just because you’re a procrastinator doesn’t mean you can’t get things done. Forget that you’re starting later than most people, and think about what musical instrument you want to learn. When you’re just starting out, you can rent an instrument until you’re ready to commit. Once you have one in mind (and your hands), find a local instructor who can guide you through learning the basics. Before you know it, you’ll be taking on advanced challenges and your favourite songs.Own your penchant for procrastination and proudly start your New Year’s resolution in February.
