Top Motivational/Inspirational Songs for Small Biz: 2014 Edition

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Around this time last year, I wrote my first roundup of favorite inspirational and/or motivational songs for small biz. It continues to be one of the top-performing posts on my website. I think it’s because small business professionals, like most people, seek out music to get motivated, get inspired and get moving. Through music, we connect with ourselves, the world around us and our fellow human beings (music is, after all, a universal language). Music has a profound effect on us, mind, body and soul; some say we could not survive without it. Music expresses what we cannot speak with mere words.

Here are the songs that got me motivated, inspired and ready to kick butt in 2014:

#4: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift It’s really written from the perspective of being in the limelight (and under a microscope), where people can say whatever they want about you and you really have no control over it. But what entrepreneur or small business owner hasn’t thought to themselves at least once, “The haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate,” and knew the best remedy was really to just, “Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it off, shake it off”? What’s more, with lyrics like, “I never miss a beat, I’m lightning on my feet,” and, “I keep cruising…won’t stop grooving…it’s like I got this music in my mind saying, ‘It’s gonna be alright,'” it’s hard not to feel a little motivated. Plus, it’s got a great uptempo beat. *wink*

#3: Let It Go by Idina Menzel Ok, so it’s a theme from a kids’ movie. But when you really listen and feel the song, it’s so much more. Above being inspirational, it can be empowering to anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve held back their own greatness or quieted their own voice, for whatever reason. Perhaps as small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially women, we don’t want to seem too bold or self-assured. Now I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with a little humility (some of us could use a dash of that), but there’s also nothing wrong with believing in our talents and sharing our gifts with the world.

The song goes on to concepts of leaving past mistakes behind us (“It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small”), conquering fear, breaking rules and stepping into your own power. Now, I ask you: kids’ movie theme or entrepreneurs’ anthem?

#2: Happy by Pharrell Williams Yes, yes, it was actually released in 2013, but it didn’t garner worldwide (and Your Web Chick) attention until early this year.  Who can deny the toe-tapability of this upbeat tune?  When you hit that midday (or mid-task) slump, crank this one up for instant energy and HAPPY-ness!

#1: Best Day of My Life by American Authors Pretty much every lyric in this song screams energy, encouragement and excitement to me.  Expressions of dreaming BIG dreams, dreams coming true, not looking back, and feeling it in your soul all play a vital role in this dynamic ditty. My favorite line? “All the possibilities, no limits, just epiphanies.”  Perfection.  This is just the right tune to blast on your way to a speaking gig or other event where you need to be really pumped.  (Bonus: How many other rockin’ motivational songs can you air banjo to?)

There you go, my top picks for 2014.  What songs inspired, empowered, motivated or otherwise moved you in 2014?

Please feel free to share your own favorites in the comments below!

Award-winning web professional Bonny Clayton, aka Your Web Chick, offers web design, support and maintenance for small business, with a specialty in WordPress.

A Tech Geek with a Creative Streak℠, she helps small business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere establish and maintain their online presence. She is committed to serving them according to their needs, whether that means “giving them a fish” or “teaching them to fish”.