Edition 268 – Mick & Keith

I’d finished a client meeting and as I piled into the car, I flicked my phone onto my Spotify playlist and hit shuffle. With more than 1800 songs on my list, there’s a wide variety to listen to, from the ‘50s to now.

The rain is pouring down as the song hits the speakers. It’s going to be a long drive home as road closures and flooding have necessitated a deviation from my normal route. A Rolling Stones song comes on, though I can’t remember which one. Gimme Shelter is my favourite of their’s, it rawness and musical simplicity taking me back five decades.

As we’re all wont to do, my mind wanders as the song plays away. It wanders to “now there’s a band I’d love to see live, if and when they tour Australia again”. Though they’re not in my top league of admired bands, there is no denying their iconic status, nor their cultural influence.

As I mull it over, I say to myself “gee, wouldn’t it be great to grab one of those tickets where you get to meet the act before or after the concert?” I’ve seen it before when I’ve purchased concert tickets and I know they cost a bomb. But again, icons!

Next up, in my own mind, I’m asking Mick and Keith, “so if the music thing didn’t turn out, what would you have done with your lives?”

Here’s my guess – they would have continued to make music! Sure, one of them might have become an architect or an engineer, but I believe the music would have endured, simply because it’s what they love to do. Write music, record it, play it, tour, then repeat – that’s how I reckon it would have played out.

Great artists and sports people, in my opinion, prioritise “enjoying” what they do, everyday. They’re successful because they’re happy – it’s not that they’re happy because they’re successful

The same applies in business. I’ve seen plenty of people that aren’t enjoying what they’re doing. Most days are a struggle. They’d rather be elsewhere than inside their own business. As a result, their business isn’t successful, profits are low or non existent and their lack of enthusiasm for the business is infectious. It’s a bumpy road at best – and a downward spiral at worst.

Today, when you unlock the front door, take a moment to ask yourself, “do I really love what I’m doing?” If you do, then keep going as you’re already achieving success.

If you don’t, then just remember, the choice rests with you as to what happens next. Only yo

We’re here for a good time, not a long time, so we’d best get on with the good times.