This is highly recommended, a series where I provide a compelling argument for why you should like something that I like.

Dear Reader,

(Before we get started, I should give credit to the Twitter user that inspired me to explore this topic in the first place: @gracespelman.)

Where does confidence come from? Are we born with it, blessed with the ability to think we can do anything from birth? Or do we earn it, using what we’ve learned from life’s moments to stand resolute in the face of what’s ahead? When I think about confidence, one thing always comes to mind: where did I get the confidence to keep write a horrible blog that no one reads?

Maybe I don’t want to find out. Finding out might mean that I start to find out things about myself that I never really wanted to find out. (I already know too much.) Maybe I can just blame my irrational confidence on a few things that tend to give my ego a boost. Maybe I can just blame my irrational confidence the one thing that is guaranteed to make you feel like anything is possible.

I highly recommend walking to the beat of a song.

Why?

Exuding Confidence

To be completely honest, I’ve never asked anyone if I look more confident than usual when walking to the beat of a song. But I’m guessing that because I feel more confident than usual, that’s got to be visible in some way. And based on business books that I’ve never read but made assumptions about, you get what you want when you seem confident. (And contrary to popular belief, it’s probably more effective than being hot.) Plus, it’s always a treat to just exude something. It’s like you’re trying without actually trying, which is all I’ve ever tried to do.

Getting Where I Need To Go

I understand that walking unaccompanied by music will also get you where you need to go. But getting where you need to go is just so much better this way. Not that you need to be going anywhere in particular when walking to beat of a song. Even at my age, I’m a fan of the well-documented old man activity of “going on a walk”. Maybe I should write a blog about it. (Look at me coming up with topics for future highly recommended blogs while writing a highly recommended blog! So efficient.)

Feeling Like I’m In A Movie

My life movie might not have a plot like Lil Nas X’s, but I’m still narcissistic enough to think that it would be worth watching. Would this movie mainly consist of me walking around the beats of different songs while making sure to catch my reflection in every vaguely mirrored surface as I walk by to make sure I look as cool as possible? Try to tell me that wouldn’t at least win a Golden Globe.

Testing My Rhythm

The first instrument I ever learned how to play was the drums. And the first two months of drum lessons (taught by Daniel, who was an excellent “Bono” in a U2 cover band) were spent nowhere near the drum set. I was stuck on the practice pad, learning how to stay in time and master all the rudiments. It was a solid foundation for what would come next –  a lifetime of not playing the drums, but thinking my time keeping skills are above average. Walking to the beat is the best way to see if I’ve still got it.

Looking Cool

I’ve detailed what it means to look cool before. And if it hasn’t become obvious already, the majority of my life is spent doing things in an effort to look as cool as possible. Is it working? Based on the response from all of my fans, I would say so. (Don’t fact check me.)

There’s got to be one thing you don’t like about walking to the beat of a song.

People Getting In The Way

Walking to the beat of a song is the best way to get in your zone. But being in your zone comes with consequences – getting rudely kicked out of your zone by a fellow pedestrian who is standing in your path is quite possibly the worst thing in the entire world. Unfortunately, most people on the sidewalks of New York City are not concerned about the quality of my zone. (And if I’m being honest, they shouldn’t be. I know that MY zone is MY responsibility.)

I’m already feeling more confident than usual because I’ve finished another highly recommended blog. (It’s the small things.) And I hope that reading highly recommended helps you feel confident too. Because if there’s anything I’m trying to do in this world, it’s inspire people to be the best they can be. (Have I taken any concrete steps towards that goal other than writing a blog about things that I like? Of course not. But I think that if you say you’re inspiring people, some people will start to believe it. Close enough.) There’s a good chance that the best version of yourself is the version that puts on your favorite pair of shoes, pops in a pair of wireless headphones, turns on a tune with an appropriate BPM and starts walking wherever you need to go.

With any luck, you’ll get where you need to be going. When you get there, you can say that highly recommended sent you.

love,

nicholas