What's your next big thing? Let's face it - if you're not planning for what you want to become, then you're planning to remain the same. We all need to assume future roles right now and begin taking daily actions towards them.
"When you assume future roles today, you begin to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be."
Tina Turner wills herself into her role and character of Tina Turner. Born Anna Mae Bullock, she looks into a mirror backstage before performing and begins speaking to herself in the third person - "Here she comes..." she chants.
Here's an exercise to help you conjure each role you play. It's called Around the World. Sit down and close your eyes to calm your mind. GO through each of your 15-20 roles one at a time and observe the thoughts that come up for each. You may think of a to-do list, improve your vision for that role, or just be in the role. Ask: what do I need to do or think to be at my best in this role?
We all have roles we'd like to become. Carols Powell, a shoe salesman, is passionate about perfume. So, he started a Youtube channel and discusses his love for all things perfume. Think of herby the Elf in Rudoplh the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He was an elf that yearned to be a dentist. What are you yearning to become? Begin moving towards it now!
Steven van Zandt, guitarist for the Bruce Springsteen band, admitted he did 100 different projects in the 90s but they weren't related to any one purpose. He vowed never to do the again. He has an umbrella company, Renegade Nation, and within it he runs many business all related to his passions. When asked about all of the roles he plays, he said, "the effect of wearing all these hats is that they strengthen each other - I'm constantly moving from thing to thing and come back fresh." So great!!
One benefit of having mentors is the you get advice you'd never think of! You need a sounding board of mentors in every area of your life. You want to have people with different strengths than you.
In the classic entrepreneurial book, The E-myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber, he gives a beautiful exercise to do in order to discover your "primary aim" (purpose of your life): imagine you're observing the wake of your funeral. As your visitors are sitting around you as you're in your coffin, an audio recording is played of you talking about the story of your life - that's you primary aim!
So, what's your next big role?
Here's the Role List tool I mentioned in today's podcast.
Podcast Outline:
1:00 Your Setlist
4:20 Tina Turner's Role Transition Technique
6:00 Around the World
6:35 My Roles
7:45 The Perfume Man
9:06 Steven van Zandt
11:40 Five Steps for Boston
13:15 Francis Jackson's Obituary
13:52 E-myth Revisted and Your Primary Aim
14:45 Worksheet: Your Role List
Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/style/perfume-youtube.html?searchResultPosition=1
https://www.wsj.com/articles/steven-van-zandt-was-an-actor-without-knowing-it-11631896013?page=1
Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life. He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.