Major League Baseball (MLB) players leverage music to help in their in-game preparations. The concept of hearing music at MLB games is not new but today’s modern players have really stepped up their games and insert their personalities and thoughts into their ‘Walk-up’ music selection. Walk-up music is what you hear as a hitter steps up to the plate for an at-bat or a pitcher enters the game. The music is normally picked by the hitter or pitcher and played over the stadium speakers to energize the crowd and the specific player.
View a list of 2017 Walk-up music here: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/04/mlb-walk-up-songs-list-best-nelly
As you can see, the players select a wide range of music to represent them and to hype them up.
So, why are we discussing Walk-up music as part of your Walk into the Future?
Excellent question! How do you get ready to tackle your day? What actions do you take before giving a big presentation at work? What impact would your personal Walk-up music have on your daily interactions?
Incorporating Walk-up music or some semblance into your daily interactions can provide the inspiration needed to accomplish your task. Not saying you will have music blasting over a stadium PA system, but you can find your inspiration in music to generate the mindset needed for success.
As an introvert I still need an extra push prior to any speaking engagement I have. My speaking engagements range from on-campus workshops, Chamber of Commerce presentations, Economic Vitality Council recruiting events and Keynote speaker responsibilities. Most people who have seen me in front of a crowd assume I don’t experience nerves or anxiety before I take the stage. Well, truth be told even with the amount of speaking I have done, I still need that extra push to get me prepared to speak and deliver the content needed.
I have leveraged Walk-up music my entire professional career like MLB players are doing.
Big presentation for me and I go directly to an 80’s Hip Hop classic by Eric B and Rakim: Move the Crowd. This song reminds me the main reason I’m speaking is to connect with my audience and provide them with content they can use. It reminds me to lock in and focus on what I’m saying, how it’s said and why it’s needed. I play this music in the car, on the computer or on my phone prior to my presentation.
I switch up my Walk-up music and where it’s played when I do Keynote speaking. I have a love for Reggae music and the ‘Irie’ vibe it provides. I like to play Bob Marley music for my audience prior to my introduction. The Reggae sounds helps relax and focus me and seems to put the audience members into a great mood to receive my message. I always play the song Jammin’ right before I’m ready to take the stage and impart my words of wisdom on the audience. Again, the concept of Walk-up music is designed to get me and the audience ready in these situations.
So, I ask again:
- How do you get ready to tackle your day?
- What actions do you take before giving a big presentation at work?
- What impact would your personal Walk-up music have on your daily interactions?
Look to generate your own Walk-up music ideas to help you during the day. Leverage this concept to help mentally prepare for that big presentation you have coming up. Find the music needed to help you thrive and enjoy the process.
Let me know your final selections for your Walk-up music! Thanks!
Walk Into the Future 
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