A Better Way

 by JenniferWhite, President, The JWC Group

Broadcast of 4/4/99

Subject: Wear Sunscreen

A BETTER WAY
A nationally syndicated column
by Jennifer White
jencoach@successu.com

TODAY'S TOPIC: WEAR SUNSCREENWear sunscreen.

I was driving around this past weekend doing errands when this bizarre yet compelling song came on the radio. It was by Baz Luhrman, and it's called (ital) Everyone's Free To Wear Sunscreen. (end ital)

It seems I'm not the only one listening as it was the number one song requested in the US last week.

The song was so compelling, I found myself sitting in my car in the Wal-Mart parking lot listening to the entire thing. This may not seem strange to many of you, but I rarely listen to the radio. I just sat there in awe of this advice Baz was belting out on the radio.

This isn't your typical song. In fact, the reason I'm writing about it is because Baz found a new way to reach people ­ and me ­ through his music. You'll notice the name of this column is now "A Better Way," and Baz found a better way to break through the clutter on the radio.

The song starts with this line, "Ladies and gentlemen, the class of 1999." Yes, it's a song dedicated to the graduating high school seniors, but let me tell you, Baz gives darn good advice for us all.

The first piece of advice his gives is to wear sunscreen. As a fair-skinned woman, I can testify that sunscreen is an important part of good health. I've been sunburned more times than I can remember. If only someone had told me to wear sunscreen when I was younger....okay, they probably did. If only I would have taken their advice.

Baz goes on to share some other great advice. "Maybe you'll get married, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll get divorced, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken at your 75th wedding anniversary." I started laughing when I heard this line as I imagined my husband and I cutting a rug when we're 98 years old. It made me think, "Why wait until I'm 98 to do the funky chicken?"

Why do you wait to do the things you most want to do? I see many people putting their lives on hold as they rush off to build their careers. We all know we can deepen our life experience if we take the time to smell the roses. But you don't.

Maybe it's time you did.

What's different about this song, in addition to being a song about advice, is Baz doesn't sing. Not a word. He plays his music in the background and talks over it. What's even more different is Baz didn't write the lyrics to the song. He took a commencement speech Mary Schmitz gave at MIT, and he put music to her words. It makes for a strange, incredibly unique experience. In today's crowded music industry, that's a fantastic feat.

Here's some more advice the song gives: "Don't worry about the future. Do one thing every day that scares you. Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, and don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone"

I think that's what was most compelling about this song. It reminds me that the best advice we can take is not to wait to be happy. Not to wait to feel joy and satisfaction. The advice we would give an 18-year-old kid is exactly the advice we need to take ourselves. What advice would you give a graduating senior? That's exactly the advice you need to follow. Now.

Yes, this song is a like a lot of books already out there that give quick one or two-line pieces of advice. But what makes this song unique is Baz took an old idea in the publishing world and applied it to his music.

My advice for you: Look at your own business and discover how you can create a completely different experience for your customers. It'll make you stand out on a crowd, just like Baz. And that's exactly how you can find a better way.

Bestselling author and success coach Jennifer White is the president of The JWC Group. She and her associates help high achievers create thriving careers and richly satisfying lives. White can be reached at (513) 351-1289 or on the Web at www.worklessmakemore.com.

Copyright 1999, Jennifer White. All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate this information without written permission.

This column is available for syndication. If you want to use this material in your publication, please contact The JWC Group at sales@successu.com. Email us for details.