I’ve always loved playing the drums. For a few short but incredibly fun years, I was a semi-professional local drummer here in the Portland area. And while I don’t get to play much anymore, I still am a drummer at heart.
But what most people don’t realize is that behind the boom, crash, and splash of a good groove lie some surprisingly deep life lessons. Like what? Well I’m glad you asked!
Life Lessons from the Drum Kit
1. Timing is Everything
If you hit the snare too early, the whole song sounds like it’s tripping over itself. Too late, and it’s dragging like Monday morning. Life’s kind of like that. Whether it’s relationships, careers, or planning your retirement, timing is the difference between smooth and awkward. Learning to wait, to sense the rhythm of the moment, and fall in step - that’s the way to play a perfect groove!
2. You Have to Start With the Basics
Before you can unleash your inner rockstar drummer, you’ve got to get really, really good at playing boring stuff - like quarter notes and (ugh) rudiments. In life, too, greatness and success come from attention to the basics: showing up, doing the work, and not skipping the fundamentals. Behind every sold-out 3 hour concert there are thousands of lonely hours of rehearsal and practice. Same with life.
3. Sometimes, Less is More
A rookie wants to fill every silence with a flashy drum fill. A pro knows when to leave space. Silence can be powerful. Not cramming 16th notes in where 8th notes will do is a sign of maturity and wisdom. The same goes for conversations, plans, and emails. (Especially emails!)
4. You’ll Mess Up (And That’s Okay!)
When a drummer screws up, everyone else in the band turns back and stares. (Yes, I am speaking from experience!) But you can’t stop and cry mid-song. You have to keep going, find the beat again, and act like it was totally on purpose. So don’t worry if you miss that snare shot or drop a stick from time to time. Making mistakes is part of the gig. Just keep playing! If that’s not a metaphor for life, I don’t know what is.
5. Consistency Beats Perfection
Listen, nobody cares if you can pull off a 27-stroke roll if you can’t keep a steady beat. Life works the same way. You don’t have to be perfect or flashy, as long as you’re consistently working to be a happier and healthier person. Be the person people can count on, and that you can count on. Just show up and give it your best, every single day.
Find Your Rhythm
So if life feels out of sync sometimes, grab some drumsticks or bongos (or heck, some pans from the kitchen) and find your rhythm!
You know, every time I write about music, I hear from so many of you. So tell me! Do you play any musical instruments? Is there one you always wanted to learn? How does music help you reconnect with the beat of your life?
And that’s me, just checking in!
Marc Gilson
Director of Client Services & Product Development
