Business And Life Lessons From Songwriting?

Yes, amazingly, there’s a correlation. Here’s a short list:

1. Influences Are Important

Or at least count for a lot. For example, there are many great love songs in the world, but there are a lot of other songs — masquerading as love songs — that are really about taking hostages. They say things like:

• “I’m so miserable without you, it’s like you were here.”
• “If you won’t leave me I’ll find someone who will.”
• “Treat me like a fool, treat me cruel, but love me.”
• “You must think I look bad with a smile, ’cause you haven’t let me wear one in quite awhile.”

Whew, that’s some bad training! If we grow up listening to enough songs like that, we might need some therapy. These days I try to pay attention to what I’m paying attention to, and choose good influences.

2. Outbox The Outcome

“Railroad Bill” is a character in a song who tries to take over the song. This leads to shouting, fighting, and eventually being killed by the writer, who needs to take back control. (Since it’s only a song, it’s pretty funny.)

It’s a great reminder that we can’t always control what happens to our efforts. When I try to be too controlling, it’s usually frustrating and counter-productive. (Although so far, no deaths have resulted.) It also reminds me not to take things personally, or myself too seriously.

railroad bill

3. Self-Employment Is Better With A Good Boss

Studies show that the primary factor in employee satisfaction is our relationship with our boss. I have a great boss now, and in my office “more fun” equals “more done.”

(If you have a boss other than yourself, you’re still self-employed. Your boss is just your primary customer!)

4. Everyone Is Creative

Creativity is expression, it’s life-force in action. There are lots of ways to enhance it, including practice. Songwriting is most enjoyable when I have a great idea to play with because the song almost writes itself. But often putting in the work (habit) is where the great idea comes from in the first place.

5. Edison Was Right….to a point

“Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.” He also said “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” But it also helps a lot if you love what you do, or can find ways to inject what you love doing into your work.

6. Be Original - Use Your Strengths

Writing romantic love songs for the pop/country market was enjoyable, but not my strength. When I started started writing “life songs” about the attitudes and influences that make life rewarding is when I started loving songwriting and felt the limits come off.

Creative, original self-expression is what makes us interesting and life fun. What makes us successful is figuring out how to use our natural talents and gifts in the service of something larger than ourselves.

© 2010 Greg Tamblyn