What would Nirvana sound like if they were a jazz band?
How do animals celebrate Valentine's Day?
What is slowing your business down?
How can you expand your comfort zone?
Curious?
Keep reading...
For your ears
A jazz band led by drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. was challenged to sit in a recording studio and reimagine a grunge song "as an instrumental jazz piece." Except for one, none of the musicians had ever heard the song: Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box."
They listened to the song, had a quick discussion, and created a new Heart Shaped Box that sounded like their music. Most importantly, they enjoyed creating together and playing with a new melody.
"Not every end is the goal. The end of a melody is not its goal, and yet, as long as the melody has not reached its end, it also hasn't reached its goal." —Friedrich Nietzsche, The Wanderer and His Shadow
Watch the process and the final performance.
For your heart
Did you know that Valentine's Day is not just for humans?
All creatures have unique ways of showing love, but one species started the celebrations with its huge efforts to find a partner.
According to medieval French birdwatchers, birds began to choose their mates in mid-February, long before February 14th was adopted as a day to celebrate love. So, while you were celebrating/sulking last Friday, birds outside were doing their best to find or keep a partner.
Woodpeckers drum to find love, grebes dance to renew their partnership, and robins go above and beyond to find the juiciest treats for their partners to keep them healthy. They sing, dance, bow, build, hunt, and steal to make their potential partners happy.
As I write this, I see two magpies sitting on an apple tree, grooming each other. What better way to show your love than by caring for your partner?
Look out from your window or take a walk in the woods. You may be lucky enough to witness a mating ritual yourself.
For your business
You have your way of doing things. I get it; you're used to doing things in a certain way. But do you ever wonder if there's an easier and more efficient way? If so, how do you find that way?
Here is a quick exercise to review a specific process in your business.
Step 1: Choose a regular process that needs improvement. Maybe choose one that causes you stress/frustration or slows you down. It can be your content creation workflow, client onboarding process, or daily task management routine.
Step 2: Answer these questions to find the weak spots:
- How do I/we currently handle this operation?
- How much time do I/we spend on this daily/weekly?
- Is it smooth and easy for everyone involved?
- Is there any friction? If so, what is causing it?
- What would make this process easier?
Step 3: Take action. You may get many ideas while just going through these questions. Pick one improvement point and implement it. It could be as simple as creating a template for repeated tasks or automating a manual step.
If you need guidance or help, schedule a free call with me, and we'll review one of your processes together. (Limited spots)
Expanding your comfort zone
Stepping outside your comfort zone isn't just a one-time experience. Every time you do something that makes you uncomfortable, your comfort zone expands a little. This means that each successive time you try something, it won't feel as intimidating.
Pick one thing to do this week that will push you beyond your usual boundaries. Try a new activity, music/film/book genre, or a new approach to a regular activity. I believe I leave you with a little inspiration.
Happy Monday, Reader
Merve G.