PlayLIZt: March Week 3 (That's How You Know)

After listening to this song, you might wonder why I posted it. Although it has nothing to do with how I am feeling about life right now, I just can't stop listening to it. It's about learning to move on. It's beautiful and the feelings in this song as so sincerely expressed I love it! Sit back and let it soak in.

Enjoy! :)

P.S. The song wasn't on Grooveshark so here is a YouTube version.

PlayLIZt: March Week 2 (Price Tag)

I don't even know where to begin. This song has recently taken over my life, in a good way. I first heard it at Serendipity in Las Vegas over Presidents' Day weekend and more than once after I got back to Utah I tried to find what song it was. Then, this past week I heard the last 20 seconds of it on the radio and the station happened to announce the name and artist of the song. We'll just say I've listened to it so much this week, when I woke up this morning the first thing in my head was the lyrics to this week's PlayLIZt pick of the week. Turn up the volume and dance! You won't be able to sit still I promise!

Enjoy! :)

"Price Tag" by Jessie J (featuring B.o.B.)

To Kick or Lift?

VS.

I know some might be confused by seeing a picture of Michelle Money and Ashley H. from The Bachelor compared to a picture of Brandon Davies, but I promise there's a good explanation for that. :)

On Monday night, in the midst of an incredible snow storm outside, I watched The Bachelor: The Women Tell All episode. I know I may have lost some of you just now, but keep reading. :) As I watched the episode I listened to woman after woman tear the other down and criticize every possible weakness and perceived fault. The comments were cruel and tactless. It was astonishing to see the criticism people are capable of.

The next day, I read a blog post about Brandon Davies detailing how a former BYU basketball player, Mekeli Wesley, who went through a similar situation in 1998, reached out to Davies. Wesley said, ""I sat down with him and hugged him.We cried together." 

Now, I know these two situations seem worlds apart, but when I saw/read the two stories I instantly connected them. Here you have one situation where people are kicking each other while the others are down, and another situation where someone decided to lift up the other.

I thought to myelf, which one am I more likely to do when I see the faults in others? Which one would you do? Which one should we do?
 
I thought it was time to take a little bit of a self-inventory and remind myself how I can be an influence for good when I choose to "lift the arms that hang down" and "strengthen the feeble knees" instead of criticizing those around me.

PlayLIZt: March Week 1 (Save You)

Okay, I didn't plan on writing two PlayLIZt posts back to back, but when you have a busy week that's what happens. :) For this week's pick I chose a song that I've had in many of my playlists for over two years probably. I actually found it where I find a lot of the best songs--on a tv show. :)

This song is one of those songs that no matter what mood I'm in I'm always up to listen to it.

Enjoy!:)

"Save You" by Matthew Perryman Jones

(This is the acoustic version so it's a little bit different, but still good.)

PlayLIZt: February Week 4 (Jack)

I don't know if anyone else is like me in the fact that everywhere I go I hear the music around me. Those who know me best will tell you whether in restaurants, clothing stores, or background music on the radio, I hear it everywhere. The best part is, when I hear a song I like I have to figure out the title and artist so I can download it later.

Whoever invented tagging for music was a genius. You'll know what I mean when I tell you the story about this week's PlayLIZt pick of the week.

While I was in Las Vegas over Presidents' Day I had one of the biggest shopping sprees of my life. No joke. We went shopping at the Primm Outlet Mall and I more or less went to town. :) Anyway, the first store we went to was Ann Taylor. I have never bought anything there, but there were great deals so I figured I would check it out. Well, low and behold, Ann Taylor has fantastic music. In fact, pretty much every store I went into there had great music. 

Great Shopping +Great Music=Great time.

So I was changing in the dressing room at Ann Taylor when this song came on and I had to pause and Shazaam (Tag) it on my phone so I could share it with you.:) As a tribute to a great weekend with great music, here is the PlayLIZt pick of the week.

Enjoy! :)

"Jack" by Pixie Lott

Relationship Lessons from Peter Shankman Seminars

I don't know how many of you know Peter Shankman, but he is a hilarious presenter on PR and social media and really knows his stuff.
Anyway, this past week I attended a webinar he was giving through PRWeb, and as I was listening I realized there are a lot of theories and ideas involved in social media that can be applied to relationships. I thought some of them were pretty interesting, so for your entertainment value, here are three relationship lessons that I thought of off the top of my head:

#1 - Transparency. Peter Shankman is always talking about how in this day and age it is quite easy for people to find out the truth about you or your company, so it's better to be honest up front instead of trying to hide something from your consumers.

In a relationship it's important to be yourself. If you try too much to be "what the other person wants" you will waste a great deal of time and energy. At some point they will see the real you, whether it's sooner or later. You might as well let them know up front who you are. Not that they need to know everything right away, but being yourself is always good advice I'd say.

#2 - Brevity. Peter Shankman talks about the importance of being brief when making a pitch to a reporter, or really to anyone.

This principle definitely applies to first meetings and first dates with those of the opposite sex. The first date, especially if it's a blind date, should never last very long. Date #1 is the "get to know you enough so I can decide if it's worth my time or yours to see each other again" date. Sometimes making a date too long can ruin what could have been a pretty good date otherwise.

Disclaimer: I have had first dates that were somewhere in the 4 hour range that were great, but I've also had all day or "marathon" dates on first or second dates and that's just exhausting.

#3 - Don't Talk at People; Talk to them. Peter Shankman mentions how important it is to listen to your customers as a business owner. You can't just push messages out there and not be listening to what the people who use your product are saying.

How many times are you on a date and you realize the person is not really listening, or how many times do you realize you've just zoned out in the middle of someone's conversation. It's always key to listen before you speak, and to be with someone who does the same.

I'm sure there are crazy amounts of more theories I could apply to relationships from Peter Shankman's brilliant seminars, but I'd say three is good for now. Hopefully, you get as much out of these as I did.

PlayLIZt: February Week 3

Okay, I know this is a little bit early, but I am going out of town for the weekend and wanted to post the song of the week before I left. Last Saturday I got on iTunes and went on a search for some new good music and found this gem. Honestly, it just has a great sound that makes me feel like I'm cruising through these beautiful moments of life. On top of that, anybody who has ever had more-than-just-a-friend feelings for a friend can completely relate.

Enjoy! :)

"Someday" by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

P.S. Let me know what you think.