Invocation of a song
I’ve been reading and re-reading a book titled War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Anyway, something in it sparked a train of thought that lead to this question:
What’s your song?
War of Art, in its third and final “book” (a section within the book), talks a lot about divine intervention, or Muse. It gives a quite compelling argument for why we need help from the above to create something transcendent, and why it’s a good idea to start your day with a prayer, invocation for such help. In one such instance—the beginning passage of Odyssey, which Prssfield quote in its entirety—Homer refers to his saga as “this song.” Pressfield declares: “That about covers it. From the Brothers Karamazov to your new venture in the plumbing-supply business.”
That stopped me cold.
The song. That does about cover it. What’s mine?
The business. Venture. Or the idea; whatever it is, we all have a reason why we do what we do, and why it’s important to us. I don’t know about you, but thinking about it as a “song” is a lot more exciting than thinking about it as a “mission” to me.
A song has a structure: beginning, middle and the end. It rises to a climax, and conclude itself in the end. But above all, each song has its personality, a stamp by a songwriter. Some people are drawn to it, some repulsed, but there’s no mistaking the bond created when a good song connects the singer (you) and the listener (customer).
So, let’s see if we can hone our ideas by comparing it to a good song:
Does it have a good story arc?
A good song tells a well-crafted story. Your idea should, too. For example: a problem; an elegant solution; and a happy customer at the end.
Does it have a signature hook that’s recognizable?
It’s like “name that tune.” What makes your idea/solution/service stand out, so much so that a piece of your brand is enough to be recognized as yours?
Is it memorable?
What makes your idea easy to remember? A good “hook” to hang your idea on, such as a name, logo, or a tagline, helps your prospects remember you by anchoring the idea.
Is it easy to sing along?
Can someone from your audience relate to your idea? I think that it’s better to relate to someone really well, even if that’s not everyone, than trying to relate to everyone (and fail). Make it personal, for that special someone in your mind.
Is it fresh?
What’s new about it? Do you offer a fresh take on an old problem? Is your idea about something that’s up-and-coming? Sometimes, the timing is everything.
Is it timeless?
A good song gets covered, reworked, copied and sampled, over and over. Is your idea about something that’s so universal that it will stay relevant in ten years? Is there something in it that’s so valuable that people will be talking about it for years?
I am working on mine. How about yours?
