We might make a conscious decision to play our favourite artist, or perhaps you’re being forced to listen to background music. Regardless, that piece of music is going to impact upon you in some way. Maybe big, maybe small. Sometimes we hear music that instantly brings back a memory. It takes you back to that very moment. More importantly, you re-live how you felt in that moment.  Other music will simply make you feel something – depending on the nature of the song.

If you create music, then it’s likely an expression of how you feel, or perhaps how you want to feel. In essence, we link our memories and feelings to music!

But what happens when  we just get out of bed the wrong way? It might be a bad hair day, getting stuck in traffic or sometimes we just feel like shit for no apparent reason. What do we instinctively do? We automatically adapt our music to how we feel. If we feel good, we listen to positive upbeat music (insert your favourite feel good music here), if we feel bad, we find appropriately depressing music to enhance how we feel in that moment.

Using Music as a Pattern Interruption

I’m a big believer in making a conscious choice in the selection of positive upbeat music that will influence our feelings and mood. It does feel quite strange to listen to overally positive music when you feel absolutely lousy. I think to myself ‘why the hell do I want to listen to this!’. But, my ultimate goal is help change my thoughts and feelings – even if only slight.

Top 15 Inspirational Songs

So, I thought I would share with you my current top 15 songs to motivate and inspire. Let me know if you can relate, and leave your song suggestions in a comment below!

01. Heather Small – Proud

Sample lyrics:

I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I’ve left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I’m on my way
Can’t stop me now
And you can do the same (yeah)
What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Why I like this song: To me, Proud is all about standing up tall and strong, exactly as you are – and learning to feel proud about being the ‘real’ you – with all eccentricities and unique talents and abilities included!  I found this song years ago as part of the Queer As Folk soundtrack, and it’s always stuck with me as a ‘pick me up’ song to be proud of who you are now and all your accomplishments!

02. Jimmy Eat World – The Middle

Sample lyrics:

Hey, don’t write yourself off yet
It’s only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don’t you worry what they tell themselves when you’re away.

Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough for someone else.

Why I like this song: I think this is a great reminder to stop ‘overthinking’ and live in the present moment. Who cares about what others think about you – it’s far more important to be yourself!

03. OneRepublic – Good Life

Sample Lyrics:

Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don’t really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don’t know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We’re young enough to say

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Why I like this song: This brings back many happy memories of travelling Europe with my sister. It’s upbeat, uplifting and always puts me in a great mood. It’s a great song to make you feel like the world is your oyster – ready and ripe for exploration with lots of new experiences to be had.

04. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

Sample Lyrics:

I gotta feeling (oooooo hoooo) that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good good night

Why I like this song: Ok, so the lyrics aren’t amazingly inspirational, but its a really fun song. A great mood booster!

05. Katy Perry – Firework

Sample lyrics:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you
‘Cause there’s a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Why I like this song: the lyrics really speak for themselves. I love the fact that it’s a really fun song, it’s upbeat, uplifting. More importantly, it’s about getting in touch with your inner power and being yourself. Looking beyond those self doubts and negative self talk.

06. Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten

Sample lyrics:

I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined
I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Why I like this song: Unwritten to me is a reminder that we can write the story of our life exactly as we wish. I think it makes a good morning song, as you could relate it to shaping your day ahead.

07. Haddaway – Life

Sample lyrics:

Time is gettin’ cold what is going on
What is on your mind are your feelings gone

Need to see it clear where do we go
Why are you doing things all the things you do yeah
Yeah

Life will never be the same life is changin’ yeah yeah
Life will never be the same life is changin’

Everybody needs somebody to love to love

Why I like this song: This song has obvious lyrics to do with relationships and needing somebody to love, but I love the line ‘Life will never be the same, life is changing’. To me it’s all about focusing on making positive changes in life. Taking one step forward, knowing that you can never go back but it’s all okay because the change is for the best!

08. David Guetta – Just for One Day (Heroes)

Sample lyrics:

We can be heroes, just for one day.

Why I like this song: David Guetta’s take on the song ‘Just for One Day’. The lyrics couldn’t be more obvious! It’s a ‘pick me up’ feel good song about being heroes. I’ll let you pick the meaning you get from it!

09. Widelife feat Simone Denny – All things

Sample lyrics:

You came into my life
And my world never looked so bright
It’s true, you bring out the best in me
When you are around
When you are around
All things just keep getting better!

Why I like this song: This song was the theme tune to the TV show ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’. The TV show highlighted a team of gay guys who would pick a straight male for a ‘makeover’. This would not only be a physical transformation, but a change in habits and mindset, more importantly a change in confidence. I think this song captures the element of ‘life getting better’, as well as you becoming more confident in your own skin.

10. LMC vs U2 – Take Me To The Clouds Above

Sample lyrics:

There’s a boy i know
He’s the one i dream of
Looked into my eyes
Take me to the clouds above
Take me to the clouds above
(clouds above clouds above…..)
Take me to the clouds above
(clouds above clouds above…..)

Why I like this song: Although still a happy / upbeat song, For me, ‘Take Me to The Clouds Above’ is a great ‘reflective’ / chill out song. It’s not heavy on lyrics, but makes great positive thinking music!

11. Ace of Base – Beautiful Life

Sample lyrics:

You can do what you want to, just seize the day
What you’re doing tomorrow’s gonna come your way
Don’t you ever consider givin’ up, you will find, oh

It’s a beautiful life, oh oh
It’s a beautiful life, oh oh
It’s a beautiful life, oh oh
I just wanna be here, beside you
And stay until the break of dawn

Why I like this song: Another song where the lyrics speak for themselves. A perfect song to help you feel more gratitude for your life, and keep working towards your dreams!

12. Enigma - Return to Innocence

Sample lyrics:

Love, devotion
Love, devotion
Feeling, emotion
Feeling, emotion
Don’t be afraid to be weak
Don’t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart, my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Why I like this song: This song is also another great chill out song with some really positive lyrics. I love the line ‘Just look into your heart, my friend, that will be the return to yourself’. To me, this makes for a strong reminder to continually reconnect with our inner self, our inner strength and talents. Time to be true to YOU!

13. Justice Crew – Best Night

Sample Lyrics:

This is, the best night night.
This is the best, This is the best night.
This is the best, and everything’s alright,We live the best life.
This is the best night of my life.

Why I like this song: Another fun / upbeat song which I think is important to help you get in the mood for many mini-celebrations (and I think we should all celebrate OFTEN!)

14. Matthew West – The Story of Your Life

Sample Lyrics:

Is this the end?

Or only the beginning?
The second chance
You never thought you’d get

The question is
Will you do something with it
Or spend your days
Lost in your regreat

This is the story of your life
You decide
How the rest is gonna read
This is your chance between the lines
To redefine what kind of legacy you leave
This is the story of your life
And it’s a story worth telling

Why I like this song: This is a really powerful song and a strong reminder to take charge of our lives, as we are the only one to be able to write our individual story.  I also love the line ‘And it’s a story worth telling’. Your life IS worth LIVING, and the story of your life is certainly worth TELLING!

15. Alesso – Years

Sample lyrics:

The sun hits like a bullet of faith
And then suddenly I’m wide awake
Fake bliss, our apologies made
Was an enemy with no escape
My hands were tied
But now they’re not
So grab on to desire and run away

These will be the years
These will be the years
Lights will all appear
These will be the years

Why I like this song: To me, this song is about a chance for freedom and the opportunity to live your life exactly as you planned. It’s about making the most of the NOW and removing any excuses that you previously were holding onto, because you are going to look back on now and realise just how amazing it was.

So that’s my list of top 15 inspirational,  motivational or just simply positive or fun songs! What songs do you listen to to keep you inspired and on track? Feel free to share your list, or individual songs in a comment below! 

My experience

I have no problems developing long term goals. In fact, I love goal setting and ‘thinking big’. However, it’s translating these goals into achievable ’bite sized’ steps with consistant action that I’ve struggled with in the past. I’m sure you know what I mean! Does the following description ring true for you?

You come home from a really long day at work, absolutely exhausted. You barely have enough energy to make it through the front door. The first thing you spot is the couch. You collapse. All you need now is a glass of your favourite wine (I’m not a beer person) and a snack. You take a few sips and life feels wonderful. The opportunity for rest is absolute bliss. You turn on the television, pop in a DVD and watch the hours go by.

Meanwhile your dreams are fading away, or being postponed into the distant future. Perhaps I’m dramatising a bit, but this has been my struggle. The requirement for rest seems to outweigh all other goals.

It’s all about motivation

If we really want to succeed, we need our passion and desire for change to outweigh the short term need for relaxation (to put in Tony Robbins terms, it’s what we associate with pain or pleasure). I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take time to relax and unwind, but we shouldn’t allow this process to engulf all of our remaining free time.

Visualise your goals

I’ve found that the more conscious of our goals we are, the more likely we will be motivated to work towards them. In order to do this, we need to surround ourselves with reminders that trigger the thought of accomplishing our goal. Our goal needs to make a lasting impression in the front of our mind for an extended period of time. Our decisions are based on what thoughts find their way from the sub-conscious to the conscious mind.

Celebrate small success

I’ve realised just how important this is. You’ve probably heard the old statement ‘it’s all about the journey, not the destination’.  We can get easily so caught up in where we want to be, that we forget to appreciate where we are now. How often do we achieve something small and forget to pat ourselves on the back?

In order to have the drive, the passion to continue reaching towards our goals, we need to feel like we are making progress. You can create this feeling by celebrating, rewarding yourself on a regular basis when you complete a task that is on track with your goals. Remember, it’s the small things you on a consistant basis that will get you there in the long term!

To conclude

To sum up, if you struggle with the motivation to work towards your goals, your goals aren’t concreate enough. Perhaps go back to the drawing board. How badly do you really want them? What are your underlying motivations? Are you motivated enough to create and stick with consistant actions on a daily basis? And… don’t forget to celebrate everyday success!

What tips do you have that keep you motivated? What is your secret to success? Comments are always welcome 

We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness – Unknown

Some years ago, I set myself the challenge to wake up before the sunrise and capture the sun rising on video. It was an awe-inspiring experience that I’ll always remember. Why?

I was Finally Living in the Moment!

For each day, I picked a different location around Brisbane. After setting up the tripod and hitting the ‘record’ button, the rest of my time was spent meditating. After completing the week, here were my observations:

• I was Overwhelmed with Gratitude: After each meditation, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my life. For the gift of being alive and being able to watch the birth of another day. When I finally arrived at work, I felt like I had a day just to myself and the rest was just a bonus. I was full of smiles and the overal feeling of gratitude extended throughout my day. 
• I had More Energy: Although running on less sleep, I still had the energy to make it through the day. I realised just how powerful the sun is to ‘recharge’ our own batteries. During my meditation, I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. I imagined the light and energy entering my body. I was ‘plugged in’ – and connected with my surrounds. Not only did I have more energy for the rest of the day, but I also had an increased level of clarity for the rest of the day.
• I felt Connected: To say that my life is busy is an understatement. At the time, life felt like it was running on ‘automatic’. I didn’t have time out for me, because I didn’t find time to make it. After the week of meditation in solitude, I felt not only much more grounded as a person, but also felt that I had connected with something far bigger. It was a feeling of ‘one-ness’, perhaps a deeper connection with my inner self, or the overwhelming feeling of being connected with nature or some sort of higher power!

This week taught me how important it is to take time out for yourself. If we aren’t careful, we can run on automatic and time passes by without much thought. Perhaps it’s a bit like that feeling of waking up from the Matrix and realising that there is so much more to life! Now I have to master the art of the Sun Salutation!

I’d love your thoughts on this! Do you make the time and give up your sleep-ins to meditate with the Sunrise? What impact does it have on your life?