Top 10 Songs to Pump Up Your Day

Flickr CC via luizfilipe

Hi, I’m Ken Lear. With the right music playlist, any rough morning can be conquered. Here are a few of my personal picks for great songs to get you pumped up in the beginning of the day:

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons: One of the most popular songs of last year, Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive will have you with filled with energy. The soothing beat and powerful chorus will make you feel powerful and confident.

Here I Come - The Roots: Formerly the opening song for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, this Philadelphia hip-hop band’s song has everything you want to have a confident start when waking up. From the lyrics to the guitar riffs, The Roots know how to get people going.

Ch-Check It Out - The Beastie Boys: There’s nothing better than a song that can get you rapping the lyrics with it after one listen. With a catchy chorus and classic hip-hop breaks, this song will make anyone feel like they’re onstage rapping along.

When The Levee Break – Led Zeppelin: Typically found on many classic 70's mixes, no pump up song list is complete without some Led Zeppelin. The last song on the band’s fourth studio album, the movie instantly makes you think of an exciting movie scene.

The Distance – Cake: Just close your eyes and imagine you’re behind the wheel of a racecar as you listen to this song. Your adrenaline will start jumping off the charts, and before you know it you will be pumped to start the day off.

Da Funk – Daft Punk: Being able to bust a groove is a must if you want to relax in the morning. Pop this song on your drive to work, and you will be attracting onlookers as you start dancing on the freeway.

Drunk In Love – Beyoncé Feat. Jay Z: There’s no denying that Beyoncé always puts out a song that no one can top at the moment. This song will make you join in and sing along no matter where you are. Jay Z's verse is a welcome addition as well. There’s a reason she was tapped to perform during the 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore: A staple for any rally, tailgating, or sports event, this song will have any group of people jumping up and down in unison. With a positive message as well, Macklemore has created a classic.

Happy- Pharrell Williams: Make sure to keep your mood in check at the start of the day. An awful mood will hurt your attitude for hours. Put on this jam to start the positivity flowing.

The Man – Aloe Blacc: This song is recognizable due to its use in the popular Beats by Dre commercials featuring athletes Colin Kaeperknick, Kevin Garnett, and Richard Sherman. Blacc has a strong voice that can make anyone confident with an upcoming challenge. The chorus is ridiculously catchy as well.

What are some of your favorite pump up songs? For more information, follow Ken Lear on Twitter

Lessons From House of Cards

Flickr CC via mooste

Ken Lear is a business professional, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, with expertise in all things business.

Just last week, Netflix released the second season of their hit drama House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. The series deals with a Washington D.C. Congressman and his wife who go to ruthless ends to gain power in the Capital. The show has been a smash with customers, with 15% of Netflix’s 27 million subscribers have witnessed. It also teaches many lessons regarding the entrepreneurial world. Here are a few takeaways I have learned from watching the show:

Everyone Can’t Play By the Rules

I’m not saying take the Frank Underwood route and commit legal atrocities to reach the top. Focus more on thinking outside the box, and seeing things from a different view. There are countless strategies that haven’t even been concocted yet, and to see them means getting outside your comfort zone. Frank Underwood and his wife Claire never are afraid or look back. This is the same way if you want to be able to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Be One Step Ahead

Every single episode of House of Cards has someone being one step ahead in some way or another. Having a plan with goals isn’t just enough. It’s being able to know what to do when things don’t go the way you planned for, or when to capitalize on something that you should have seen coming. Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of practice and dedication. Never forget this.

It Takes More than One

Frank Underwood may have a sizable intellect, but supporters that have his back surround him. From his cold-hitting wife Claire, to his Chief of Staff Stamper, Frank uses his support system to get where he needs to be. This is as such in real life. You can have the strongest drive in the world, but it can only get you so far. Have people that you can rely on. This could be a team of employees you lead, your spouse, or even friends that are willing to support your endeavors. It’s never been harder to reach the top today, but with some assistance, it’s never been more achievable either.

Ways to Save Money

Flickr CC via mentelblu61

Ken Lear is a leadership and business expert, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

We’re already a month into 2014, and this is primetime for people to fall back on their New Year’s Resolutions. One common resolution that doesn’t have to fall to the wayside is saving money. Embrace positive habits may not help you shed pounds or learn a new skill, but they will keep some extra cash inside your wallet.

Track Spending & Budget Better

It’s easy to just swipe your debit card whenever you need to buy something, but do you really know what you’re spending your hard-earned bucks on? By keeping track of what you spend your money on, you will be able to see what spending needs to be cut down. There are countless mobile apps to help you jot down your transactions, also a few that do it for you. There is no excuse to being more accountable with your spending.

Re-Work Monthly Bills

You have no idea how much money you could save by re-examining the bills you pay monthly. Sometimes things change, and so can the services you need or don’t need. Anything from cellphone plans, cable television, insurance, or health care should be re-evaluated. Cancel anything that isn’t useful to you, and prioritize what is needed. Sometime you’ll be surprised at how much you can save by putting a stop to stuff that isn’t necessary.

Try a Side Business

Taking on more work never sounds fun, but if you can turn something you love doing into a moneymaker, it won’t be too difficult. Focus on your skillset and see what jobs would be available that could work with your current career. Is writing your forte? Pick up writing articles for a blog or work on writing your own book. Your side business can be done on your own schedule if you pick something that doesn’t require you being hired.

Improve Your Health

People love to make losing weight a yearly goal, but it’s not something that comes along easily. There are small steps you can take however to get your health in check. If you’re a smoker, strive to quite. You will be saving a ton of money while also cutting down on your risk of developing cancer and life threatening diseases. Cutting down on eating out will help too. Typically, eating out means ordering foods that are not usually healthy. Pack a healthy lunch the majority of the week to save dollars and also help to be in control of what you’re putting into your body.

Sell Stuff You Don’t Want

Everyone always has too much stuff that we don’t even use. Consider selling some of your junk either on eBay/Craigslist or hold a yard sale. This is a great way to make money off of stuff that you’re not even using. The birth of the Internet has allowed anyone be able to sell their things, so take advantage if you can.

How to Recruit a Talented Team

Flickr CC via TEDxSanDiego

Ken Lear is a business expert looking to give advice on everything about leadership and entrepreneurship.

Putting together a great team for a company is no easy task. If it was easy, everyone would have the best professionals working for them. Many people are not aware that the right people aren’t looking for a job, the job is looking for them. By practicing great ways to attract the best, you will be surprised at how quickly and effectively you can create an all-star team.

Build the Perfect Company Culture

It’s widely known that the best way to hire and keep top talent is to create a company culture that will draw the ideal employee. Set high performance standards for everyone, even those on the top of the food chain. Focus on avoiding the notion that work should be dreaded every day. If you can create a place that people are excited to come to every day, then you will have a chance to find the best talent around.

Network, Don’t Headhunt

Focusing on networking is key to land talent that fits a company’s culture better. Ensure employees really believe in your mission statement, and want to see it being fulfilled. They will then act as your company ambassadors, bringing in more professionals and commitment to growing your team.

Be Flexible

When discovering an professional that fits your company well but may not work out for the position, still put an effort into finding them a different place on the team. Understanding how to be flexible with hiring can fill in your different needs. Building cornerstones is the first step to putting together a crew that can succeed.

Learn How to Handle Your Competition

Know how to get the best talent to choose you over your competition. Showcase incentives of why working for you company is the better choice. Understanding and respecting competition is key to winning over the more talented; don’t just assume people will always choose you. Do everything possible to ensure that joining your team is the right decision.

Understand Exactly What Talent Wants

Attracting the best means having what the best wants. Make it known that your company is the best place to go to reach success. State your benefits and work expectations. Nobody is looking to be underpaid or overworked, no matter how great the job title might.  An undervalued employee will instantly undervalue your company.

For more info on all things Ken Lear, follow Ken Lear on Google+