All good things come to an end, but they are always better with friends.  We spent one night, four hours at The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar and as you can see by the sign, they shut the lights off.

Those four hours taught and reminded me of many lessons.  If you missed some of them you can always find them at toddagordon.com or scroll through my social media posts to find them from the last six daily posts.

Here’s a summary:
• Be Ready
• Keep Your Dream Alive
• Do What You Love To Do
• Don’t Judge
• Remember Where You Come From and Who You Are

The final lesson?  Enjoy life with good friends.  We enjoyed the evening with our good friends Charles and Linda.  We sat right in front of the stage and enjoyed the evening listening to the incredible live music.

When you find your friends that you share things in common with make a point to not take that for granted.  Find opportunities to share those moments, even when you are 700 miles from home. 

I would also like to share a few of the Instagram names of a few of the musicians that participated in the evening and entertained us.  You may also be able to find them on Facebook.

I’m sure there are a few more, but these are the ones I know of.  Thank you to all of them for sharing their incredible talents.

@thecoreymacshow
@taylortuke
@robtalton_music
@pingroseplays
@nickplaner
@gilgannenteetainment (saw him on Sunday)

If you’re in Nashville head down to Printers Alley to The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, support the local musicians, tip the band, and enjoy the amazing talent. 

Life is better with music and life is better with good friends.  When they come together it makes for special moments. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

From the One Word chapter Enjoy!

Thank you Jake von Scherrer for the review.  It means a lot.  Appreciate all that you continue to do for our profession.

—–

Let’s not forget to ENJOY.  Enjoy the light hearted moments and times to smile, laugh and play. 

ENJOY the company of family, old friends, and new friends, and relax a little bit.  Enjoy and appreciate moments. 
    
Add ENJOY to your daily list of responsibilities and disciplines and see how well the other responsibilities of your day go because of a simple decision to ENJOY life’s moments and what they have to offer.

Continuing lessons learned by one night at The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Nashville, TN.
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About halfway through the show on that Monday night a couple of weeks ago one of the musicians on stage announced that there was a guy in the crowd who had just released a new single.  His name is Taylor Tuke (@taylortuke).

It wasn’t long before he was on stage.  First playing the organ, then out front doing one of his original songs.  It was awesome, and it reminded me that it is important to remember where you come from and who you really are.

When you love doing something you can’t get enough of it and look for opportunities to continue to do it.  No matter what amount of success one is blessed to experience I believe you never really forget where you started. 

It is also important to remember who you really are, what you really love to do, and then pursue it passionately.  We are happiest when we are doing what we were meant to do. 

The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar has that on display every day and night.  People doing what they love, regardless of what they are getting paid.

Success is not defined by your checking account.  Success is defined by being able to do what you love.  When you remember where you came from and who you really are I believe you have a greater chance of achieving that kind of success. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

Continuing lessons learned by one night at The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Nashville, TN.
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Guilty.  I’m guilty.  I judged a book by it’s cover…twice. 

Very early in the evening there was a guy who looked the part.  He carried himself confidently, had the right clothes on, and even topped it off with a nice looking hat.  Then he stepped on stage.  He didn’t play well, didn’t mesh with the rest of his group and walked off the stage and right out the door.

The second guy didn’t look the part at all.  He arrived later with his guitar on his back, wore a plain black t-shirt, black jeans and was short and stocky, but man could he play.  About half way through one of his solo’s he took of on a scat solo. 

Scatting is an incredible skill where the musician sings the same notes that they play on a guitar solo.  Many say it requires perfect pitch.  I first remember the great George Benson doing it.

What’s the point?  Don’t judge others.  Too many people, including me in this case, are too quick to form an opinion about other people without knowing anything about them or getting to know them at all. 

Honestly, regardless of whether they step on a stage, or just do their work in the background, they deserve to not be judged and to be respected. 

Why?  Because they are human and deserve to be treated fairly.  It’s how I would like to be treated so I should do the same.

Some people may look the part and some may not, but everyone deserves a chance and respect.  I was reminded of that as I reflected on what I learned that night in Nashville. 

I’m going to continue to try and be better. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

One of the first things I realized while sitting at The Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar enjoying the music, and watching the musicians, was that they loved what they were doing.

Regardless of whether they “make it” and join the one percent who make a living performing their music they would always have a place, and fellow friends and musicians, to do what they loved to do.  Make music.

It was a strong reminder that if you are able to do what you love, and love what you do you may also be one of one percent who are actually able to do that. 

I always said when I was teaching, coaching, and then as an athletic administrator that I was fortunate enough to be doing what I loved to do.  I believe that is why the 37 years went so quickly. 

Like anything, there will be days that are tougher than others and make you question yourself.  However, it always comes back to knowing your why, your purpose, and what gets you going when your feet hit the floor in the morning.

Do what you love, love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.  I hope you are fortunate enough to be able to do that.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed