The Simple Stress-Buster Every Entrepreneur Needs

Everyone who is out doing big things in the world experiences “it”.

That moment where uncertainty rolls in like a thick fog. When you start questioning everything. And when you start comparing yourself to others… resulting in the mother of all entrepreneurial stresses:

Imposter syndrome.

In my experience, there’s nothing more stressful. Nothing that overwhelms me faster. And it’s usually a surefire way to suck every last ounce of motivation out of me, to leave me wanting to curl up on the couch and binge Netflix for the rest of my life. Because, really. Who needs that kind of stress in their life?

But, rather than succumbing to the fetal position, there’s a sure-fire way kiss this kind of stress goodbye.

Stress. Busted.

Let me tell you a little story.

Last week, I was stuck. I was in what I’ll call really crappy headspace. Questioning everything. Feeling totally overwhelmed.

I sat at my computer for a while, staring at the list of priorities I wanted to tackle. And I couldn’t motivate myself to do anything.

So I sat there, feeling sorry for myself. And… I may have cried a little bit, too (if I’m being totally honest).

But the last thing on my to-do list was simple. I wanted to clean up the house. And it felt like if I couldn’t accomplish anything else, I could at least do a little dusting.

So I forced myself out of my chair, grabbed my phone, pulled up Pandora, and put on one of my favorite playlists.

And then, something remarkable happened.

The Magic of the Perfect Playlist

Pandora served me up a big ‘ole smack in the face of musical inspiration and awesomeness. I finished up the dusting, and decided I also wanted to vacuum. And by the time I was done cleaning the house, I had worked my way out of my funk.

You may not know this about me, but I was a music major in college. I’ve listened to and played music for most of my life, and yet I still manage to occasionally (okay, regularly) forget the power of music.

It’s a totally individual experience, and everyone will have a slightly different type of music and general vibe that’s their perfect mix. But I truly believe that everyone who’s out there in the world trying to make a difference needs their own “resilience” mix.

(Side note, I find that randomly shuffled playlists have the tendency to play just the right song, at just the right time. Maybe I attribute it to lucky coincidence. Or maybe I attribute it to signs from the universe… #nojudging)

Either way, music is a powerful – and ridiculously simple – tool we can add to our entrepreneurial toolbox.

Curate Your Mood

So how do you curate your list? Simple. Pick music that makes you want to shake your booty. Music that inspires you, and leaves you with a smile on your face.

If you’re still having trouble getting started, I’ve curated a list of a few songs you can start with to build a playlist of your own, including the lyrics that speak to the entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s a taste of what your stress-busting, imposter-syndrome-overcoming playlist might include:

Rachel Platten: Fight Song

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion

I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

My power’s turned on
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

X-Ambassadors: Renegades

Long live the pioneers
Rebels and mutineers
Go forth and have no fear
Come close the end is near

It’s our time to make a move
It’s our time to make amends
It’s our time to break the rules
Let’s begin

Phillip Phillips: Home

Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone

American Authors: Go Big or Go Home

I’m thinking life’s too short it’s passing by
So if I’m gonna go at all
Go big or go home

Sheppard: Geronimo

Well we rushed it
Moving way too fast
That we crushed it
But it’s in the past

We can make this leap
Through the curtains of the waterfall
So say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!

Shakira: Try Everything

I messed up tonight
I lost another fight
I still mess up but I’ll just start again
I keep falling down
I keep on hitting the ground
I always get up now to see what’s next

I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
I won’t give up, no I won’t give in
Till I reach the end
And then I’ll start again

American Authors: Best Day of My Life

I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds
I’m never gonna look back
Woah, never gonna give it up

But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies
No, just don’t wake me now
This is gonna be the best day of my life

Andy Grammer: Good to Be Alive

I’ve been grinding so long, been trying this shit for years
and I got nothing to show, just climbing this rope right here
and if there’s a man upstairs, he kept bringing me rain
but I’ve been sending up prayers and something’s changed

I think I finally found my hallelujah
I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life
Now all my dreams are coming true, yeah
I’ve been waiting for this moment

Feels good to be alive right about now

Eminem: Lose Yourself

Look
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture
Or just let it slip?

Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’

Do I really need to explain this one? (Yeah, didn’t think so.)

Get Up Off That Thang

So my challenge for you today? Go create your own “get outta this funk” playlist.

Open up Pandora (you can sign up for a free account with just your email address), search for “Shut Up and Dance“, and create a station from that song. Then go to station details, and “add variety.” Add the other songs above, or some of your favorites.

Then, any time you’re feeling stuck or otherwise questioning everything in your life, open up the station, crank the volume, and dance around your house like no one is watching.

Here’s to rising above the funk, getting inspired to do big world-changing things, and celebrating the small things in life. Including booty-shaking playlists.

And if you’re feeling like you could use more than just a little booty shaking to cultivate all-around resilience and flow in your life and business, sign up to learn more about my new online program MindFULL to Mindful: A Guided Journey to a Balanced Modern Life.