Whether you’re going it alone or seemingly swimming upstream with your group, you can reset your motivational mindset in just a few simple steps.
There lies within us the potential for greatness. I believe it is ever present and awaiting the dawn when we will remove our self-imposed success limitations that are not conducive to our success.
But what if you are giving it your best already, yet you continue to face obstacle after obstacle? What can you do when there’s seemingly no one in your corner, on your team, or by your side?
Reset Your Motivational Mindset:
Pump Up the Jam!
Mindlessly clicking through your station in life isn’t going to get you tuned into the situation you want to be. It’s like late-night television. You grab the remote and click through station after station until you finally land on something just to stop the channel surfing pain. Go one better: Find your favorite song and pump it up!
I love music because it can change your state of mind in an instant. Don’t believe me?
Sing a Song
I find it interesting when someone starts to get into a song. Inevitably, someone will cheer them on and say, “Go on girl, sing!” and although the person likes the song, she sheepishly backs away from it declaring, “I can’t sing.”
Really? Who says you need to?
In the ’80s one of the most unique sounds coming from the radio was the beat box. Arguably, Biz Markie was the most unique artists of his time. He was so unique, he could make music with his mouth; I’m not talking about singing. I’m talking about his own language, his own code, dialect, inflection. He would gyrate, gesticulate, and manipulate his voice to create something so unique that no one could touch it. It was as if he could bend sound. He was beat boxing, and that was Biz’s trademark. A sound so unique, only he could give it to the world. Granted, the sound wasn’t for everybody, but it was for him. He chose to sing a song like no one else. Make the Music with your mouth. Bring forth your unique sound. Sing YOUR song.
Everybody Dance Now
What’s more motivating than motion? Have you ever watched a sporting event where the game gets good? As soon as the action breaks, everyone gets up to cheer and dance, and there isn’t even any music playing! Cheer yourself with a dance. It’s seemingly impossible to dance to upbeat music and be depressed. Just talking about dancing tips your timidity toward temptation! Move your molecules!
Walk on Sunshine
Louis Armstrong said in his song, “When you’re smilin’, the whole world smiles at you.” Imagine what this can do for your motivational mood to have an entire block, town, or city of people reflecting back what you put out into the world. Walk on sunshine. Put a smile on your face, and some pep in your step, and watch the world accept and reflect that pep. Imagine the empowering feeling of being able to walk on sunshine. Superhero? Perhaps. Motivational magic? Definitely!
Don’t Stop Believin’
Pursuing motivation doesn’t have to be like seeking a brass ring; however, I do believe it is a journey. Like most journeys, it begins with a step within ourselves to seek out truer meaning, deeper truth, and insightful enlightenment. I’ve placed below a short list of motivational music:
1. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now (McFadden & Whitehead)
2. I’m Every Woman (Whitney Houston)
3. Boogie Shoes (KC and the Sunshine Band)
4. Everybody Dance Now (C & C music Factory)
5. I can see Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)
6. Don’t Worry Be Happy (Bobby McFarren)
7. Don’t Stop Til you Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
8. Shackles (Mary, Mary)
9. Don’t Stop Believing (Journey)
10. Lovely Day (Bill Withers)
11. Let’s Go Crazy (Prince)
12. Dancing on the Ceiling (Lionel Richie)
13. Whip it (Willow Smith)
14. Make the Music with your Mouth (Biz Markie)
15. Twist Again (Chubby Checker)
16. I’ll Take You There (Mavis Staples)
17. Sing A Song (Earth Wind and Fire)
18. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
Although these artists represent different genres, they still share common threads. Each of them had a burning passion within them to share their song with the world. Whether individual or group, they persevered through the most difficult situations. They kept the faith, and delivered.
You can make your own M.U.S.I.C., and make it motivational, too!
You can Make YoUr self Shine and your spirit soar In spite of your Circumstances.
Like most journeys, you often find someone along the way who helps you get to the next destination. Whether you listen to these songs, or any others that motivate you, remember this: You are not alone. You are in the company of determined and destined doers who held steadfast to their dreams, and won. They are proof that no matter how dark it may seem, there is a victory around the corner. Pump up the jam and reset your motivational mindset with your favorite unconditional supporters.
Keep the faith, and remember, if you’re ever running low on energy, We Are Family (Sister Sledge), and we will be here to motivate, encourage, and inspire you.
About the Author:
Shonn Scott is a professional speaker and facilitator who has presented to small to large groups at Morgan State University, Community College of Baltimore County, Project Second Start; the State of Maryland Department of Human Resources, (DHR) and the Maryland State Department of Education, to name a few.
Click the following link to learn more about: Shonn Scott