I played the game casually as a kid, picked it back up and did some speedrunning, basically got a PB per day for about a year. It took about 11 months of playing not too seriously (but I did so every single day) before I got points, and I had to really grind and clutch a run to do it (Cavs 00).
I generally focused on cutting seconds since I had a total time of about 3 hours at that point, and SA and 00A offered better opportunities to improve. I also enjoyed playing a variety of levels and had fun getting decent at the game. My definition of easy points has changed but I believe the easiest I have would be Control 00a with NTSC-J or Depot Agent.
I joined the Elite around the time I got a CRT and started to get more focused. It took a lot of improvement; not just a lot of attempts but consciously working on my strategies and OCB. This included learning 1.2 and 2.x, as well as hanging out in streams to learn which I believe is the best method to improve next to going to meets. Irie streams once in a while btw.
Having gotten both points and a low tier WR, both were really satisfying. But getting easy points and easy WR times isn't as satisfying as finishing a real grind for an uncommon time I really wanted. Bopping 3 top 10 players > tying 100+ plebs even if it's worth more points. Getting into the top 100 time ranks milestone was cool too but not as fulfilling. Plus once you develop a rapport with other Eliters (Also best done via strim), every PB is much more notable and celebrated by all. Giving advice that leads another player to a PB is as good as getting a PB yourself too.
Getting a time you know is insane and seeing the endscreen can fill you with confidence and make you forget all the runs that made you doubt. It takes skill and patience, and above all desire. That or just play PD.
