Expression of Self
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Today we discuss a topic that is intimidating to most, but has the power to unlock your greatest potential for fulfillment. Expressing ourselves can be hard in everyday life, because we often have very few outlets, but it can be even harder when we are worrying about outside audiences as opposed to what we think as individuals. Rick Rubin, a famous Music Producer who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Adele and Ed Sheeran to name a few, spoke exclusively on this idea. Rubin talked about his process and how every time he enters a session he is much more focused on telling the story of where he is at that moment as opposed to what the audience might want or deems as successful. 

“The audience comes last,” says Rubin in recent interviews. This idea can be complex and feel like it is very counterintuitive for a hit producing creative, but in reality it comes as a slight relief. Rather than going into work or relationships with the goal of recreating past success day in and day out, it becomes much more important to express ourselves exactly where we are whether that is in your career, relationships or passions. In this way we worry less about what other people might want, and more about just telling the stories we want to day in and day out. 

This fear of what other people want from us is normally what stops us from expressing ourselves freely. Rather than being honest about serving ourselves first so we can be the best we can be for others, we succumb to pressures from outside audiences. This can be challenging and counterintuitive, especially when we think about ourselves as selfless and willing to help. Try and think about when you are at your best this week, and if at that moment you have met your own unique needs before attempting to help others first.