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It's the first Monday of the New Year, a special day, a new chance to motivate yourself professionally and personally. The opportunities before you are limitless (and for some of you, we're sure your to-do lists are as well). With this in mind we knew we needed a special DJ to take to this week's Motivation Mix decks. Someone who is not only an entrepreneur, but a supporter of small business in a BIG way.
Tory is the founder of of the beyond motivating Spark & Hustle (which recently wrapped it's national tour) where she helps entrepreneurs create profitable lives and businesses based on their passion and purpose. She is also the founder of Women for Hire (for employees), and for six year has been a regular contributor on Good Morning America. PHEW. What I also admire about Tory is she clearly values and takes the time for family, a balancing act every entrepreneur knows can be tricky.
(Tory "live" at Spark & Hustle)
Now perhaps you can see why in the weeks leading up to the New Year I just knew Tory would be the first person to spin some motivating tunes for us. Not only is she a mentor and role model to so many of us in the world of small business, but on a selfish level, *I* want to know what Tory is listening to that keeps her going, keeps her positive and keeps her motivated. She did not disappoint!
See below for Tory's top music picks for this Monday's Motivation Mix. Don't forget, as always, you can click on them and download them straight to your computer should you need a little pick-me-up this morning!
PLAYLIST OF TORY JOHNSON
It’s My Life > Bon Jovi
This was the theme song for my first series on Good Morning America called “Take Control of Your Life.” I traveled to 9 cities to report on the workplace issues that mattered most to women. We had custom tshirts for the big crowds that gathered to appear on TV and everyone rocked out to this Bon Jovi classic. My favorite lyrics: “I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd. You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud. It's my life. It's now or never. I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive.”
Firework > Katy Perry
Russell Brand may be over Katy Perry, but I’ll never tire of these lyrics, which always put me in a great mood and remind me that I have what it takes to make big things happen if I just do it. “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine. Just own the night like the 4th of July. Baby, you’re a firework. Come on, let your colors burst.”
Unwritten > Natasha Bedingfield
On the days when nothing seems to go right, this sweet song shakes me up and reminds me that it’s ok to make mistakes and it’s ok not to have all the answers—and it’s perfectly acceptable to just start over: “I break tradition. Sometimes my tries are outside the lines. We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins.
God Bless the USA > Lee Greenwood
This may seem like an untraditional pick, but my eyes tear up every time I blast this favorite. After 9/11 when I held my biggest Women For Hire career expo ever, I got a very brief phone call from President Clinton who told me that at the core of our financial freedom in this country is the right to work—and he congratulated me on our event. With millions of people so hard hit in the last few years, it’s essential to remember that there’s no better place to start over than right here. “If tomorrow all the things were gone, I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars, to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away.”
Price Tag > Jessie J
Even though I spend so much time encouraging women to focus on money—asking for it, growing it, valuing their time and talent—I know that it’s not boatloads of cash that drive most of us. It’s something bigger than just money. It’s more about what the money can do for us and the people we love—whether it’s giving us better choices in childcare or eldercare, allowing us to travel the world with our families, enabling us to raise awareness for causes we believe in. That’s what this song reminds me of: “It's not about the money, money, money. We don't need your money, money, money. We just wanna make the world dance. Forget about the price tag. Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching. Ain't about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling. Wanna make the world dance. Forget about the price tag.”
The World’s Greatest > R Kelly
I’m crazy about this song. My kids learned this in middle school chorus and to hear it belted a cappella by a bunch of sixth graders was pretty powerful. This is one to sing with crazy passion in the shower—or when you’re frustrated at your desk—go wild! “If anybody asks you who I am, Just stand up tall, Look 'em in the face and say: I'm that star up in the sky. I'm that mountain peak up high. Hey, I made it. I'm the world's greatest. And I'm that little bit of hope, when my back's against the ropes, I can feel it, I'm the world's greatest.”
EXTRA BONUS!!!!!
Want to see YOUR product on the Good Morning America with Tory? As you've read, for six years she’s been a contributor for ABC where she now has a weekly segment featuring exclusive deals for GMA viewers. She’s passionate about including products from small business owners in her segments, so if have the inventory and capacity to deliver thousands of timely orders, send her your ideas at tory@sparkandhustle.com.
