heyamberrae:

“No one cares what you do. They care why you do it.”

That’s the premise of one of my favorite books, Start With Why, by Simon Sinek. In this book, Simon talks about how great leaders inspire action. He explains how the most innovative and influential people and organizations have an uncanny ability to articulate the why of their existence. 

For example, Martin Luther King didn’t give a 10-page presentation on the changes he envisioned with statistics on why it was a good idea. Instead, he got on stage and said, “I believe in a world…” He shared his driving belief, the reason he got out of bed, and the change he wished to see in the world. 

Apple didn’t say “we make great computers.” They said, “we challenge the status quo and believe in thinking differently.” Dell, on the other hand, talked about making great computers. Now which brand has built a cult following?

Zappos talks about a belief that happiness can be used as a model both in business, and in life. What other shoe company does this?

To explain the companies that are functioning at their highest ability, Simon developed a Why/How/What “Golden Circle” (pictured above) which is based on the biology of human decision making as it relates to how people interact with brands and organizations. 

No one cares what you do. They care why you do it.

So how does this apply to your life or business?

Yesterday, a close friend approached me for direction on the style/fashion business he’s building. For his own clarity, he was attempting to map out his Why/How/What. Within 30 seconds of chatting with him, I realized he didn’t actually understand what “why” “how” and “what” mean. 

Here’s the advice I gave him, which might assist you in evaluating your own ability to create influence and impact in everything that you do…

Why: A belief that drives you. The reason you get out of bed in the morning.

For example: my why is to inspire and enable people to unleash their full potential so that together, we change the world.

How: The actions you take. The things you do to realize your Why.

For example, my Hows are to…

1) challenge conformity and ignore what’s expected,

2) focus on positive long-term behavioral change (to change the world, I must first change myself),

3) see the good and opportunity in everything,

4) experiment to see what sticks, 

5) candidly share everything.

What: The tangible things that you can see and touch. The outcomes that prove your Why and How. 

For example, my Whats are…

1) Hey Amber Rae: I write. I experiment. I reflect.

2) Revolution.is: I tell stories of remarkable people living unconventional lives.

3) Passion Experiment: I work with high-potential people one-on-one to overcome obstacles and make positive change. 

What we do will evolve and grow and change over time. Why and how we do things will remain consistent, guiding the things we create to realize our full potential.

(via hey amber rae)

I really wish someone could beat this into the heads of those in the community in which I currently work/reside…

claudekelly:

Songwriters, regard your songs like a cat…you want them to have 9 lives.

Keep in mind, when writing your music, the current competition, but dont only chase today’s charts. 

Aim to create classics, songs that will stand the test of time and find new ways of shining next year, next decade, next century. 

the goals is to have a song that is so solidly crafted that it can be used in movies, television shows, remade, remixed and reformatted in the future. 

ultimately, a great song will not only make you money now, but will find new ways of making you money even after you’re dead and gone. 

With this in mind there are several rules i apply when writing:

1) Avoid slang, or trendy phrases that may only mean something to us NOW  and that may be extinct in the next few years. (unless im specifically asked to do it, i try my best to stay away from slang)

in 30 years, songs with the word “Swag”, “Shawty”, etc many not apply to pop culture. they also may not mean anything to listeners overseas. 

2) Dont Regionalize. its cool to write songs about your hometown, your hood, your local bar, club, etc. But music is an INTERNATIONAL language. will people in South Africa understand and relate to your song if its about things that only pertain to life in Houston, Texas?

3) Avoid mentioning products, designer labels, or items that easily become outdated. 

There are very few items or companies that are so tried and true that we KNOW they will here years down the road. 

think about how much it makes you cringe and sink down into your seat when you hear song that reference “pagers”, “caller ID”, “Coogi sweaters”, “jeeps”, “myspace” etc.

even those brands/items that are still around are no longer enough of a phenomenon to be bragged about in a song. 

my guess is that the next generation will feel the same way about songs that refer to “Google”, “iTunes”, “twitter”, etc. 

choose your words wisely.

4) strive to create amazing MELODIC songs.  great melody will work if arranged in almost any way. it will stand the test of time, and most likely find new homes with new artists or projects. 

aim to be be successful now, but always be futuristic. an ok song now, is just a ok song now. a great song now, becomes a classic tomorrow. classic = leaving a mark. 

see ya in the future!  :)

CK

(via Claude Kelly)