You either love or hate this song. I didn’t think I would, but I love it. Love it or not, this song is a hit. Like Gangnam Style . There are things that have or will have influence culture, in general, that will impact us in one way or another.

When PSY was making Gangnam Style, he might have thought it would be a hit. Perhaps more hoped, but nothing prepared him, or the world for his 2012 hit, that broke YouTube records.

The same applies to Ylvis and “The Fox”. I’m sure he hoped the song would be a hit. Every artist, inventor and leader’s dream; an uptake of whatever they work on, to influence the world.

The context in which we create and lead is irrelevant when it comes to anticipated impact in and through what we do. We all want to make a significant dent in the universe in one way or another.

The reason I use Ylvis’ hit, “The Fox” as a case study is that there are things that will shape culture and our environment, whether we love it or not. Understanding these things helps us to engage better with the environment we work in. It helps us understand people more. It helps our approach and appreciation for our work and efforts.

The University of Bristol did a study to find out what makes hits, hits. Something they noted was how certain songs were likely to be hits during particular periods in history. Different things at different times made hits.

My thoughts:

What if you were on the watershed. What if you were on the verge to redefining what hits are? One of the reasons I do some of the things I do is a desire to redefine.

What if my next “song” (substitute “song” for whatever you do) is the next thing that will redefine culture? What if my next ad campaign is going to redefine advertising? What if my next leadership intervention defines how leaders are trained?

You really don’t how the impact what you are working on will have. Perhaps it will run away and be a hit. Maybe not. But what if it was a “hit” and you never put love into your work. What if it had the potential to be a hit and you abandoned your work on it?

The foundation to any hit is not its structure. It is not how similar it is to something that is already created. It could be, but it doesn’t have to be. Perhaps no one understands you and your ideas. But who was ever understood by everyone right out the gate?

The first thing that determines if something will be a hit, is that it is made and shipped. Given to the world. Nothing will change the context you work in or culture at large if it stays in your garage. Ship.

Making hits evades many because they don’t focus on the things that they have the most control over [Click to Tweet]

The second thing is the love you put into the creation. True passion is also key. Remember, it is true passion, not the romantic idea of passion.

The third or fourth thing in the anatomy of a hit is often people or the world. You have some but very little control over this factor. Thus it becomes extremely important that you put as much love, energy and passion into all you have either complete or significant control over.

There is enough in your hands to have a go at making a “hit”. The question is, “will you?” Will you dare. Will you start. Will your give passion. And, will you ship?

Published by Blessing Mpofu

just a guy changing the world