I had a conversation earlier this week with someone who just finished the book, Soundtracks by Jon Acuff. She asked me if I had created a personal playlist based on Jon’s recommendation and if so, what was on my playlist. I loved the question. Why? Because I want to ask everyone else the exact same question. So let’s share our playlists, shall we?
In Soundtracks, Jon says, “If you listen to any thought long enough, it becomes part of your personal playlist.” Simply, a personal playlist is a list of thoughts or affirmations or beliefs you want to put on repeat (or already have).
After reading Soundtracks in 2022, I started to gather some soundtracks and begin writing my personal playlist. Just a few at a time. First in my planner, and then in an organization app I use on my phone and computer. This is still a work in progress, but here’s my current draft –
- Everything is working out for me.
- For me, not to me.
- Spare change adds up.
- Never miss a Monday.
- You never regret a workout.
- Good.
- Results or excuses. You can’t have both.
- Discipline equals freedom.
- Action creates clarity.
- Rest is a gift. It doesn’t need to be earned.
- Obstacles are opportunities.
- Hustle only lasts for a season.
- Compare yourself to where you started, not where you’re going.
- Consistency builds confidence.
- This is an opportunity to serve.
- I make decisions out of courage, not fear.
- I work from a place of rest.
- Consistency compounds
- Something is better than nothing.
- Effortful before effortless
- Three times a week is a habit.
- One big adventure, one little adventure.
As I look at this list, so many of these are borrowed soundtracks from other people. Some are from the actual Soundtracks book (Everything is working out for me + Spare change adds up), some from Jocko Willink (Good + Discipline equals freedom), Laura Vanderkam (Three times a week is a habit + One big adventure, One little adventure + Effortful before effortless) and then some from various coaches and speakers (For me, not to me + I work from a place of rest). Others are my own version of someone’s quote or piece of a theme or topic that I’ve found to be true in my own life.
You’ll also notice that I have a few listed that cover the same topic (rest, obstacles, confidence, habits, and circumstances). This is just because I gravitate toward them all right now and haven’t yet fully fined tuned the list. Eventually, I see it being 7-15 or so soundtracks that touch on the most core beliefs I have. Right now, I’m still figuring that part out.
So, what’s on your personal playlist? I found it helpful to borrow from others to start, and then begin adding my own. Feel free to do the same. Please share any of your soundtracks below in the comments. I’d love to see them!
