Fearless

 According to Joe Serio, trainer, author, Russian Mafia expert, and author of Overcoming Fear: 50 Lessons on Being Bold and Living the Dream.

1. Begin by acknowledging your fear.

"Say to yourself, 'Yes, I am afraid,' Serio advises. "This helps to reduce feelings of perfectionism or curb your procrastination." You don't have to tell the world, he adds, but say it to someone you trust, a loved one or a friend. Or if you prefer, just say it to yourself.

2. Get specific about what you're afraid of.

Figure out precisely what's causing you to be afraid, he says. "Is it fear of making a mistake or is it really fear of your perception of the consequences of making a mistake?" It's important to make that distinction, he says. "It's difficult to solve a problem when you don't know what the real problem is."

3. Give your fear a number from 1 to 10.

Rank your fear and then compare your fear to something worse. "Years ago my fear of public speaking was 10-plus," Serio says. "But compared to getting eaten by wolves, my fear of public speaking changed to 2 or 3." That made it much more manageable to face that fear -- not to mention start a business based on public speaking, he says.

4. Imagine the worst-case scenario.

What's the worst that could happen? Put some thought into answering that question. "So often your perception is worse than reality," Serio notes. "As Mark Twain said, 'I've suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.'"

Determine what's at risk and whether your fear is justified, he says. With everyday decisions, he adds, it often isn't.

5. Do some research.

"A great way to reduce fear is to talk with experienced people," Serio says. "They will bring some perspective and proportion to your interpretation of the situation. Chances are high that they too were afraid when they started out."

Beyond that, he says, try reading books and magazine articles about whatever it is you're setting out to do, taking classes, or finding groups around that area of interest. Almost nothing is as scary as the unknown, so the more you know, the more confident you will be.

6. Review your past successes.

You've had countless successes in life, beginning with learning to speak and walk, Serio says. "Frequently, you forget that you're powerful," he says. "If you need a reminder, set up a praise file of letters, emails, or cards thanking you for doing a good job. When fear gets inside of you, open the file and remind yourself you can do it."

7. Celebrate your successes, even small ones.

"It doesn't have to be loud and obnoxious," Serio says. "You can simply give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done or share it with people who are closest to you. Often, we believe that our accomplishments have to be huge to be worthy of celebrating." Remembering to celebrate small successes will reward you for the effort you've put in. And it will make it easier to make that effort the next time.

Eli & Fur - You're So High (Music Video)

The Charm Of Fame

"The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death."

Pascal

Sick world

At the moment, who you know (nepotism and cronyism) is vastly more important than what you know (merit).

How often do we hear the mantra, 'Networking is the fastest way up the ladder.

' Meritocracy will push this toxic ladder over.

From now on, demonstrable talent, not your social connections, will be the fastest way to make progress in life.

Society is organised around the systematic denial of equal opportunities to the vast majority of citizens.

They buy into the ludicrous myth that the only thing holding them back is themselves

MERESHA // NEW REVOLUTION (Official Video)

The Music Business

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side...."

- Hunter S. Thompson

7 Core Beliefs

Of People Over Profit Companies

Belief 1
People Matter

How you make customers and employees feel about themselves, says a lot about your business. Learn the 3 key mindsets required to treat team members like people, not parts.

Belief 2
Truth Wins

Leaders must tell the truth completely, tell the truth quickly, and tell the truth clearly. Understand how the best companies have harnessed truth to drive sales, exposure, and loyalty.

Belief 3
Transparency Frees

Company vulnerability + management accessibility = transparency. Learn how the best leaders found profitability and performance in the absence of hiding, shielding, or manipulating information.

Belief 4
Authenticity Attracts

Fight the lie and resist the urge to become someone else. Become who you really are by discovering the 5 questions defining the world's most connected brands.

( credit to Dale Partridge )

AT 40

After many years I listen to American Top 40.

Number 1. - Can't feel my face.

- synths

- AutoTune correction

- sleazy singing

- clapping

- dance

- Mjackson back vocals

- too much baby in the lyrics

- melody line bad

- nice groove

- mantra-like

Number 2. - Omi - Cheerleader

- nice intro

- summer hit

- pool and margaritas

- simple lines

- treble

- synth voice

Other numbers:

- drum machines

- synth voice

- summer

- clapping x x

- krispy voice

- a cappela - like

- video game music

- rapping

- space

- industrial

- mic whispering

- harem dance

- breakdance

- R & B

- got my body on your mind

- have some fun

- it's summer, let's do everything

Composing Music

Writing a unique song through melodic, rhythmic and lyrical ingenuity.

Music is organized sound.

It is melody, harmony, rhythm, lyrics, and form.


The structure:

- intro - mirrors chord progression in 1st verse

- first verse

- muted chorus

- second verse

- bridge

- full chorus

- modified verse with backvocals

- regular verse

- full chorus 2 x

- outro

Formula would be:

A (verse modified as an intro, with no vocals)
A (verse)
B' (modified chorus - we use the apostrophe here to denote that this is a modified version of the principle chorus)
A (verse)
B (full chorus - note that we have the full, regular chorus here, so no modifier)
A' (modified verse - now with a slightly altered melody and backing vocals)
A (verse - back to our primary verse)
B (chorus)
B (chorus)
B' (chorus modified as an outro)