Beyond the Classroom
When you think back to your school years, it’s rarely the tests or grades you remember. It’s the moments — the first time you performed on stage, the choir trip with friends, the guitar you couldn’t put down after school. Music stays with us because it taps into the most human parts of who we are: creativity, emotion, connection. Beyond its personal impact, music education strengthens neural pathways, boosts memory retention, and builds social-emotional skills that are critical to success in every area of life. Students who engage with music are not only more academically prepared — they are more empathetic, better at working in teams, and more resilient in the face of challenges. At In Tune, we’re committed to ensuring that every young person — no matter their background, neighborhood, or circumstances — has access to the transformative power of music. Through our mobile classrooms and culturally responsive programming, we are taking music directly to the students who need it most, removing barriers, and opening doors. Because music doesn’t just change an afternoon or a semester — it changes lives. It reminds young people that they are creative, they are capable, and they are connected to something larger than themselves. When we invest in music education, we invest in futures filled with possibility, hope, and harmony.
Creating Goals
When you make a choice, you change the future. – Deepak Chopra Traditionally, the time for discussing goals or dreams for the future is around New Years Eve and the month of January. We make resolutions and commit to new habits but while exciting initially, the reality is that most people do not stick to those resolutions. According to a study completed by Forbes.com, over 55% of people do not keep their self proclaimed goals for the entire year. When we make a decision to set a goal, resolve to do something new, or chase a dream, there needs to be a catalyst that spurs us into action. When you identify why you are inspired and truly grasp what motivates you, it will allow you to persevere when the initial excitement dissipates. Accomplishing tasks and moving forward in your life takes time. Usually it is not the flip of a switch or luck of the draw. It requires consistent effort over time. It is a constant decision to take the next small step and asking yourself if each step is getting you closer or further away from the desired end result. You are in control of your efforts and you get to write the story you are living. Be inspired. Be motivated. Be excited! And then do something about it. Define the goal with an attainable end result. Decide how you will know when you have accomplished the goal. Ask yourself, “what does success look like?” Give yourself a timeline for completion. Without a deadline, there is no urgency to prioritize the tasks and the goal will likely never come to fruition. My biggest caution that I will share from countless examples in my own life is to be realistic with your goals. I am not saying that you can’t have big dreams! Have you met me? I’m the queen of big dreams. But the smaller, bite sized goals that will help you reach those giant dreams must be realistic for the timeline you have set. A quick example is from a personal finance client I recently worked with to eliminate debt. She had a mountain of debt and wanted to clear it up as quickly as possible which is a great dream but there are steps that must be taken to achieve this big task. We broke it down into weekly goals. Instead of focusing on over $76k in debt and getting overwhelmed, her job was to find an extra $250 each week. Some weeks she was able to sell a piece of old furniture or outdoor equipment. Other weeks, she picked up a couple extra hours of work. This woman also had some larger assets and even though it took longer than a week, she was able to sell a $20k trailer and immediately knocked off a big chunk of the debt which was not only exciting but also motivating and kept the momentum going. Big dreams are accomplished by making a choice, defining attainable goals, and continually working toward a better future. To start making tiny changes to achieve remarkable results, I’d recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you need specific encouragement, accountability, or guidance for your next steps, contact me. I’d love the opportunity to lift you up. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!
The Go-Giver
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 I recently read a book called The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This book made a huge impact on how I approach the world and the people around me. My whole life has been centered around doing things on my own, being a strong and independent woman, not relying on others to get ahead. It was not only a lonely path but I quickly discovered that it doesn’t matter how amazing I am, it still will never be “enough” to reach the level of success I thought I should reach. The first chapter of the book started talking about a man who had a similar mindset. He would do whatever it took to reach his deadlines. Joe is his name, and he strikes me as the kind of person who has to work hard for everything he gets in life. Nothing is handed to him and nothing is easy. He’s an ambitious go-getter. Like me! I don’t want to give away the entire book – it’s short, sweet, and an incredibly easy read – but the cliff notes that I do want to share are essentially that the world treats you more or less how you expect to be treated. This concept doesn’t seem like rocket science but it isn’t a simple idea either. How do you expect to be treated? Do you expect to be respected for your clout and resume or be recognized for how you treat others? Do you expect to be belittled or empowered? This question stumped me. The “Five Laws of Stratospheric Success” are logical and simple but they are not easy. The law of value, meaning that “your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment,” made me realize that when we under promise and over deliver, the perception is that we offer more value. The law of compensation tracked along the same line that our income is determined by how many people we serve and how well we serve them. These first two concepts made sense to me. Basic math and simple ideas. The law of influence, “determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first,” hit me hard! I’ve spent years developing a network of people but never thought of them as an “army of personal walking ambassadors” who are personally invested in seeing me succeed. The part about this law that challenged me was the requirement to stop keeping score. How am I supposed to know who to help next if I don’t know what the scorecard says and who I owe favors to? As soon as I stopped keeping track of what others have done for me and what I’ve sacrificed for them, I immediately noticed that I was happier and more engaged in the present moment. The last two laws, the law of authenticity and the law of receptivity, rocked my world in such a positive way that I forgot that I was trying to be an independent and, frankly, a selfish person on the path to success! Authenticity is about being real and about recognizing that you are a valuable gift to those around you. The law of receptivity was a big deal for me because I had never really allowed myself to ask for help or accept the generosity of others. I always thought I had to do it myself which is most certainly not the case! I have always been good at giving and helping others but according to this little book, the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving. It’s always interesting to finish a book that has so much incredible content because as you close the back cover, you are faced with a crossroad of actually doing something with the content or moving on without applying it. I chose to meditate on these principles which has, in turn, shaped “Hey, It’s Lauren” and my interactions with the rest of the world. In a way that is authentic and valuable, I choose to lift up others to make the world a better place. It is my goal in life to straighten the crown of others when they need a little extra help without highlighting shortcomings for the world to see. Order your copy here: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!
