What’s one of the all-time scariest things to say?
Spoiler: “I love you.” (haha, but seriously, read on will you?)
“I know one thing… that I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Michael Franti & Spearhead (Just To Say I Love You)
Dear Storyteller,
I’ve got something to tell you (I love you, hahah).
You don’t have to be a songwriter to benefit from this: What I’m about to share goes for writing books, poetry, screenplays, and anything else worth expressing in creative form.
Psst, there’s something else you need to know, too! The not-so-secret sauce to so many creative careers is so simple, yet our human nature consistently has us turning a blind eye to it.
Let’s say you’ve been putting the work in, learning and mastering your craft, yet the further you get into this creative career, the more unachievable your original goals become. You know the one:
I want to be recognized for putting out brilliant work and make a great living do it.
Am I right? I mean, if you didn’t believe that you could make a living doing what you loved, you’d wave the white flag and consign your life to doing something safe and predictable.
But deep down—and I know this, because I am the person I’m talking to—you KNOW that you’re worth it, despite the lack of results to show for the work you’ve been putting in.
So why aren’t I *there* yet?
Is it *possible* that your own fears are holding you back from achieving your full potential? Is it *possible* that the boulders you’re carrying up the mountain were put there by you?
Because if those are honest-to-goodness possibilities, then that also means YOU are the one who holds the key to your success.
So, I’m going to help you out.
I’m going to remind you of what REALLY sells like hotcakes.
Seriously, in the history of mankind, the one phrase we don’t hear nearly enough in our day-to-day lives is “I love you.”
Hey wait, haven’t heard that hit song before?
How about I pull up THE TOP-10 ALL-TIME best selling songs?
#10 “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (performed by Mariah Carey)
What’s this song trying to say? … if you said, “I love you,” then BINGO. You win. 🙂
#9 “I Will Always Love You” (performed by Whitney Houston)
Okay, at this point it’s going to be rhetorical if I ask what this one’s about.
#8 “My Heart Will Go On” (performed by Celine Dion)
This one’s a little more subtle. We’re tackling TWO scary conversations at once: love AND death. Holy shit. But as long as I know and remember love, my heart will go on.
Fun fact: Celine Dion HATED this song that was featured in the blockbuster Titanic.
Know who else didn’t like it? Titanic director James Cameron. There’s something really uncomfortable about the truth, even for those who are really successful. Maybe because it wasn’t THEIR truths? The credited songwriters were: James Horner and Will Jennings.
#7 “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” (Baccara)
Disco!! Apparently, people really found this one to be FUN. Back to my theme, though…
This song is about: SELF CONFIDENCE!!! I love… MYSELF!
How many people struggle to admit this to themselves, let alone broadcast it to a dance partner. Loud and proud.
#6 “If I Didn’t Care” (The Ink Spots)
I love you. (easy)
#5 “We Are The World” (USA for Africa)
If you’re younger, you may not remember this. This was HUGE circa 1985. All of pop’s biggest artists banded together for a mega-fundraiser.
What’s the song about? “WE LOVE EVERYONE” (yes, EVERYONE)
This single raised more than $63 million for humanitarian aid. Talk about connecting with a paying audience.
#4 “Rock Around The Clock” (Bill Haley & His Comets)
I think this song is about self-love. I don’t care what my parents and society tell me, I’m going to HAVE FUN and CONNECT with my friends, because I’M WORTH IT.
#3 “Silent Night” (Bing Crosby)
I love Jesus.
#2 “Candle In The Wind” / “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” (Elton John)
I love you. In such vulnerable, confessional terms.
That’s what we do, right?
If we want to connect with a paying audience, we get really honest (with ourselves). Vulnerable. And pair that with our craft. Because we deserve to make a living doing what we love.
#1 “White Christmas” (Bing Crosby)
Nobody outsells Jesus. Not in the West, at least.
Are you vibing on what I’m telling you?
BUT, BUT, BUT… Yeah, I know.
There is a story locked up inside of your head that you’re not ready to release yet. Maybe you think you need to be cheesy or formulaic, or retread ground that’s been visited a hundred million times before.
But that’s not really true. You know why?
Your voice is unique.
The way you tell your vulnerable truth, in combination with your gifts, is going to touch real people’s lives in a way that is VALUABLE beyond money. Money is just a proxy for meaning.
I know it sounds WOO WOO, but the soul of what HITMAKERS do is infuse their work with SOUL. You can too.
The most successful version of you is going to craft meaningful messages that reflect who others are and what they YEARN to hear someone else giving voice to their innermost secrets.
There are many more messages, besides “I love you,” that people are waiting to hear. Your job is to uncover those words (and feelings) and connect with your audience.
But you’ve got to let go of the limiting beliefs holding you back.
Everything you want is on the other side of fear. What is one risk you can take today that your future self will thank you for?
Are you ready to level up and let go of the boulders that may be holding you back? I invite you to talk to me to find out what’s been holding you back and how to break free!
Seriously, don’t wait. If you wait, you’re going to forget this moment (and your readiness to move forward). I’m inviting you to schedule your free 30-minute discovery session with me right now.
Just for fun, when you sign up for your session and mention ‘TOP-10’, I’ll send you a bonus Spotify playlist of the songs broken down above!
With Gratitude (and Love),
Ethan
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