Less Meetings, More Music

“It was an okay day.”

“What could have made your OK day better?”

“Less meetings and more music.”

Hmmm…there’s an idea. Why not have both? Music Meetings.

I have a playlist on my iTunes titled, YES that I play right before I give a keynote. It puts me in the right state of mind, an Empire State of Mind.

You know that song you play to get amped up. You blast it out your speakers while driving to a big sales call, or during a race, or before taking the field. You are thinking of it right now. It’s full of rhythmic beats, melodies, bridges, choruses, storytelling lyrics and high notes that swallow your soul.

Music has a way of doing that. Scooping you up and whisking you to another place and time. To other memories, full of past places, tastes, and people.

What’s playing in your soul right now?

What lyrics are your heart writing and your mind singing?

Today, I’m a little New York (Snow Patrol) and a little Flake (Jack Johnson). And I’m always a little You and Tequila(Kenny Chesney).

I bet I just got you thinking of a song that reflects how you are feeling right now. And I can list a number of songs that will transport me somewhere else. So can you.

Get Low – Post Georgia vs. Clemson football game in the parking lot with Kristen.

Not Ready to Make Nice – 2am singing session with Nata and Ris

When I Get Where I’m Going – Grandpa’s viewing

Lady in Red – My Mom. Every. Single. Time.

Wonderful Tonight – Sandy Cayman beach with a harpist and a proposal.

Changes – Ready to take stage and take control with my keynote about change.

There is a special connection between music and mind. But what’s behind the music? Behind the melody, the bridge, the chorus and the voice? 

Words.

Lyrics.

Musical mantra’s.

The way these musical mantras affects you is two-part.

Part-circumstance: Where was I? Who was I with? What was I doing when I heard this song?

Part-emotion: How does this make me feel? How do the lyrics speak to me?

It’s pretty powerful – music is language in the ultimate communicative state. More people listen to music than read. Disagree? Gleemuch? American Idol? The Voice? MTV? You don’t see Reading Rainbow on the television anymore these days, a sad truth.

Music has and will always be the great connector of the masses. There may be 50 Shades of Grey to challenge my theory on this.

What’s so attractive about music? It’s the songwriter’s ability to convey a message and an emotion through their words and melody.

                                                                           

What’s your song? What’s your message? What are you trying to convey that will transport people to another time and evoke pure emotion?

The next time you want to be persuasive in a board meeting, or during a performance review, or asking for a raise, or leading the team project, or even asking someone out on a date, I challenge you to write your words like a songwriter to tell your lyrical story. Make it a music meeting.

What's stopping you from presenting a musical mantra at your next meeting?

Write it. And then sing it out loud. Sing it loud. Sing it proud. Dare to go there. Be inspired. Be real. Be the next American Idol. Be You. And don’t be afraid to say what you really want to say. Risk it all.

Here’s my stab at a broken-hearted music mantra:

Was I just something to pass your time, fill your silence, and break your boredom?

Or was I someone who passed through your dreams, filled your mind, and broke your heart too?

Step aside Adele. Step aside.

I’m your Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?

Stephanie Melish, one of the few, hand-selected, Gitomer-Certified Speakers is the ONLY Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista in the world! Stephanie trains, sells, and speaks to companies and associations all over the country. To book Stephanie for your next event, please visit www.GitomerCertified.com or contact the friendly folks at Buy Gitomer via email at hirestephanie@gitomer.com or by calling 704-333-1112.

Read and Renew

Where is your passion?

Is it in your work, your friends, your hobbies, your family?

I re-found my passion in a book. A good friend of mine had been telling me about this book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, for years. I had put off reading it because I thought, "Why in the world would I want to read a story about an alchemist?"

More importantly I thought, "What is an alchemist?"

Then a few Christmas' ago, I received the book as a gift. I was immediately interested -- now there were two people, who knew me well, leading me to open the pages of this mysterious book.

I quickly began on a literary journey that only lasted two days. As I was reading, it was as if each page was speaking to me. It had been a long time since a book had touched my soul in this way. I was mesmerized!

Overall, it was a quick and easy read, but more importantly, it was a read that changed my outlook on my life. You see, at the time, I had become bored with my job. I was lackluster, robotic, and completely unsatisfied with my work.

The Alchemist changed this. When I closed the book, a light switch clicked on. I re-discovered my purpose in life. My passion. My passion of teaching others.

That led me to where I am today… into my role as the Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. A job where I wear many hats (designer of course)! I sell, I speak, I share, I write, I train -- all allowing me to teach others along the way.

There was one simple line in the book that specifically re-sparked my love of teaching and confirmed that this is my life's purpose: "Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is."

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. Plain and simple. Over the years, I have found that when I am helping another person learn how to do something new, like helping my dad with a computer, cell phone, GPS, or pretty much any new-age electronic, I am fulfilled with joy.

What did you dream to be when you grew up?

Where is your passion? Is it alive in you and the other lives you touch daily? Or is it lackluster, robotic, and unsatisfied?

The Alchemist helped me uncover or simply rediscover my life's purpose. If you are that lackluster, robotic, unsatisfied person I was, I challenge you to remember your dreams and take action!

What actions can you take to rediscover your passion?

1. Think Big – dream of what you wanted to do as a child, when you had no concept of limitations. What was it that you loved to pretend to be or do?

2. Act Big – take action steps to make that dream a reality. Look at ways that your passion appears in your day-to-day life and take action to spend more time doing those things.

3. Change Big – make changes that allow your passion to shine. Did you dream of being a veterinarian as a child? Maybe that isn't feasible now (or maybe it is), but volunteering for your local animal shelter is!

My passion was recently confirmed. After attending one of my Yes! Attitude training workshops, a young man was inspired to take action by my teaching. I see it everyday on his Facebook page and I smile. Passion accomplished!

Email me, subject PASSION! with YOUR best espresso shot tip on how you combine your passion with your work! One lucky person will win their own copy of The Alchemist and have their tip posted on my facebook page!

I'm your Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?

Stephanie Melish, one of the few, hand-selected, Gitomer-Certified Speakers is the ONLY Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista in the world! Stephanie trains, sells, and speaks to companies and associations all over the country. To book Stephanie for your next event, please visit www.GitomerCertified.com or contact the friendly folks at Buy Gitomer via email or by calling 704-333-1112.