Music in Miami: how to overcome mental blocks

I got super flustered during my work trip to Miami.

It was an absolutely fabulous trip, but I can’t think while music is playing in the background, and there was music playing during our brainstorming sessions.

To set the scene: I attended a workshop led by the fabulous Dave Moreno and other folks from his Next Level Academy program.

Dave would teach a concept, ask a thought-provoking question, unleash us to write, and then turn on inspiring music in the background.

That’s when I got flustered 🙃. I thought “Ahhhhh I can’t think with music playing!”.

I looked around the room wondering HOW were people concentrating with this music on?!
Again I thought “I can’t think with music playing.” So I struggled to get any thoughts out at all.

This happened for 2 rounds.

Then finally, on the 3rd round, I thought to myself. “Lauren, you can’t think because you have the thought ‘I can’t think with music playing’. Why don’t you just TRY it? Just let yourself go, let yourself actually THINK, and try it”.

And the words started flowing. And after a while, I found myself either not hearing the music at all, or, on a pause between thoughts, moving along to the music 🎶.

Turns out, the music wasn’t what hindered my thinking, it was the thought “I can’t think with music playing” that created stress and made me flustered, which ultimately impeded my ability to think.

I was reminded of a powerful yet simple truth:

🙌🏼 My thoughts create my feelings and ultimately my results 🙌🏼

Next time you’re feeling flustered (or stressed or anxious), see if you can pinpoint the thought causing the feeling. Maybe you’re telling yourself you can’t think. Or you’re not good at your job. Or you’re not smart enough. It’s simply NOT true. Try a new thought out, and see if it helps.

The real win here? Perhaps I’m ready to try playing Garth Brooks while I work. 🤔🎉