Why You Need to Create a Playlist

I shimmied my feet, readying them to press into the ground.  My hands gripped around the bar, finding the perfect grip placement.  I breathed in deep, mentally preparing my body for the heavy load that I was about to thrust up.  I felt at peace.  I breathed in and out.
Squeeze the trigger and bodies are hauled off
You too boy if you fuck with me
The police are gonna have to come and get me
Off your ass, that's how I'm going out
Immediately my zen was ruined as my husband decides that his music should be put on loudspeaker to "PUMP" both of us up.  As much respect as I have for NWA, they are not what I feel inspired by when trying to improve my game.
This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last, that I am surrounded by 'motivational' music that in no way motivates me.  More often than not, it distracts me. 

Most frequently you find this at the gym...where you know if old man Tom opened because country music is blaring, or if the desperately needing a paycheck George opened because Heavy Metal is filling the room.  I've felt old when doing judo with teens who like to train to the newest pop music and I've felt listless when trying to follow along to a training session when Spanish rap is enveloping me.  I've wanted to murder co-workers who think that everyone around them will enjoy the new age garbage they so happily share on speakers through cube walls.

I used to think there was something wrong with me.  That I should be able to perform optimally despite the environment around me.  While overseas I have come to embrace, this is not the case.  You will perform your best when you feel motivated, at peace, happy, and enjoying the environment around you.
And you will never have a perfect working/training environment- so you need to control what you can!

In coming to terms with this, I have also realized that my "jams" likely would never make someone else happy either.  As I created my dream playlist songs float from Tom Petty aspirational lyrics, to JT and Jamie Foxx uplifting jams, some lady anthems from Sia,  angry Eminem, to throwback Backstreet Boy pop, in your face Minaj, and obviously with some calming Cake.  My playlist would make NO sense to anyone else.  It embodies songs that sing to my soul.  They motivate me, inspire me, keep me moving, give me good memories, and remind me of whats ahead.  Your story is different than mine.  Your soul songs would never align with mine.  Nor would they align with our co-worker, husband, or Gym-openers George & Tom.  Don't be ashamed if its different than "normal" - if it works for you, then the playlist is perfection.

I realize that these situations are not always avoidable.  That sometimes you will be forced to perform and work with the most un-motivating of situations with the least inspiring sounds...

BUT when you can, create your own playlist!  Invest in some $1 earbuds or some sound-silencing headphones and get yourself in the jam.  Invest in yourself.  
Work environments and work-out environments are rarely if ever ideal.  Do all you can to make it ideal for you.  I've got my earbuds in. so that during my next lift, I wont be distracted by NWA.

Whats your jam?  What will you put on play as you prepare for your next challenge?