Self-starters know the madness of the success cycle: up at 5AM, exercise, try to eat right, burn at your highest performance levels all day long, then return to your bedside for just enough sleep to keep your dark circles from becoming villainous.
But as the saying goes, “the juice is worth the squeeze,” so most of us dreamers & doers are willing to pay the price for success now, to reap the rewards tomorrow.
But what’s the cost? And do all the “double shifts” and extra reps really pay off? Well, usually... for those who stay in the game long enough. But for many, burnout, stress, and extreme exhaustion not only prevent us from doing our best work, but if we don’t find ways to alleviate stress and increase mental clarity, our futures may be grim.
Now, I’m not a salesman of fear. I don’t find it ethical to use scare-tactics to persuade people to act. But look around you. Notice anything strange? There’s a lot of sickness in the world, a lot of anger, and in some ways - disconnectedness greater now than in any time I’ve seen in my life.
Whilst technology provides so many upsides, if we don’t find ways to step outside the perpetual box and enjoy our lives for what they can be here, now, as they are, they just might slip through our fingers.
I lost my father to Cancer in 2013. He was my best friend and hero. As a desperate attempt to help work beyond the aftermath of a major loss, I started meditating shortly thereafter in 2014. Though the trials and tribulations of healing a wounded heart were real, my learning and applying meditation has not only soothed and uplifted me emotionally, it’s allowed me to do the best and most fulfilling work and business of my life.
I am a music producer, and I run two recording studios in Southern California. One is in Malibu, and the other, Burbank. I’m blessed to be surround by an incredibly successful team that drives me to do better for myself. Starwest Studios in Burbank is partnered with Randy Jackson of American Idol, TV producer and musical wizard Sammy Oriti, and legendary business man Richard G. Stewart.
Through their guidance and expertise, I’ve learned a great deal, and have come to realize how much I still have yet to learn.
One shocking, yet incredibly exciting discovery I made about our company, is that our CEO actually cares about his people. One Monday morning, as our extended team piled into the office for our 9:00 AM meeting, something different occurred. The boss had gone ahead and hired a cloistered nun (whatever the heck that is, I thought) to guide us through a long meditation.
I was of course very excited, knowing what meditation had already begun to do for my life and business. As things proceeded, I began observing a variety of reactions within the company toward the idea of meditation. Some thought it was weird! Some didn’t really care. Others were open enough to give it a try, and a smaller handful (including myself) had already experienced a few benefits of the practice.
What I found was, through this experience, people were able to open up like a flower. We chose to share our experiences after each meditation, and the insights were so moving. Some had been carrying a tremendous burden, and were momentarily relieved by the silence of the mind. Some have children and grandchildren to be raised, others struggling with health, some thinking of our shareholders, and doing the best we can for them - it all added up to one resounding message: our minds, bodies, and hearts all need a break.
Seeing the impact and connectedness that the meditation and sharing brought forth was profound to me. People shed tears, shared laughter, and gained new insights on how we can work more closely and harmoniously together as a team.
The growth for me in my business as a music producer and songwriter, due to meditation, has been phenomenal. I trust in the process, and encourage anyone who has an open mind to give it a shot.
Here are three simple and extremely short tips:
1. Do it regularly.
I practice Transcendental Meditation, which is one of many effective methods. It’s a twice a day, 20 minutes per day habit. The regularity is where all the gains are made. www.tm.org for more info.
2. It’s ok if it doesn’t feel like you’re doing it right. There’s really no wrong way. Silence and stillness of the mind are some of the most incredibly beneficial states we can reach in our awareness.
3. Don’t give up. Just because you’ve tried it once or twice and didn’t see results shouldn’t impede you from stepping further. The process should be as easy as breathing, and the more you allow it to be so, the greater the gifts it will give to you.
In closing, I care about you, even though I may not know you. Seeing the wonderful improvements in my life and business are more than enough reason to share it with the world.
I hope this helps you in some way.
Brett Pemberton
Music Producer
www.PlatinumProphecy.com
www.StarwestStudios.com
bpemberton@starweststudios.com
917.545.6748