The word universe means the one song or poem: uni-one and verse – sound
or poetry. So sound – so music – so poetry has an inherent capacity to change
our mood, and from this our motivational energies. What we listen to, and when,
is significant.
As Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice, “The man that hath no
music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for
treasons, stratagems, and spoils”. So it is that all highly motivated people
listen to music often, and should do more so.
Personally
I love the music of JS Bach, which I listen to on an almost daily basis, but I
also love a small number of great rock/pop stars of the last 40 years. I wonder
who your heroes are?
For
me Mark Knopfler, erstwhile Dire Straits – with as many great tracks solo as he
had in those earlier, halcyon days – is one of the greats. His music is
simultaneously melodic, intricate and epic. The epic comes from those great
guitar finales he plays – think, Tunnel of Love.
Last
night at the Bournemouth International Centre I had the pleasure of seeing him
live. My wife, my son Joe, and I were all swept away with an awesome
performance of music that had us spellbound. His live version of Farmer Blues,
for example, was just staggeringly great. I could go on – but you get my drift.
As
we walked back to the car, I said to my son: Joe, well, what the three
important lessons from Mark Knopfler that anyone could apply to becoming
mega-successful and possibly mega-happy?
If
being a member of a rock and roll band is analogous to running a business, what
do you think they might be? Tell you in the next blog!
The Mapping Motivation Series 