Dumpster Delicacies 2023 Untrashed

Spotify Wrapped Sucks.

Not because I always forget it exists, but because I rarely use Spotify. (topic for another day) So whatever it gives is NEVER accurate.

And while writing a whole post on Spotify wrapped might be odd (considering it sucks), it works as a reason to write this. Just because this year's wrapped hit a different chord.

It's been the weirdest year ever. I made a lot of huge decisions (like starting this project). And throughout it all, music has been there either through brain.fm or some big release.

My opinions on the releases this year are... slow and not the point of this blog post. That's a rant for another day.

The point I'm making in this short blog is: Music truly is the most gorgeous of arts. It creates memories, inspires, and even fills our lives' existential void. This is the only art like this.

I consider myself lucky to be introduced to this wonderful genre that has played in the back of my mind in the most chaotic year yet. I am not a music critic. I have strong opinions because that's what gets engagement. Humans LOVE conflict. (that's lesson #0)

That's what this is going to be about.

Each month, I will tie a song to the most significant marketing/business/life lesson I learned that month.

This way you not only get actionable stuff you can do (which there is nothing magical about) and a good throwback song or ten.

January

Song: Space Laces - Survive

Lesson #1: Find your game.

"Only the wise excel. Only the strong survive" is a good saying.

And one that fueled the first month of my business voyages. What I quickly came to discover is that everyone can be the wisest and the strongest at their game.

What is "your game"? I can't find that for you. One of the best ways to find it is by asking what people come to you for and what you genuinely enjoy doing that can bring money.

We are living in the age of opportunities everywhere. If people profit from pictures of their feet, you can also find your own cash machine.

So the best thing you can do is find something you are naturally good at and lock in. You got this.

February

Song: Skrillex - Don't Leave Me Like This

Lesson #2: It's going to suck dick before it eats pussy. (Shoutout to the Co-Owner for this banger of a quote)

The best time to plant a tree was 7 years ago. The next best time is now. Time is ticking and will continue until you eventually die (which you will, lol).

I know this is a music blog (or is it?) but as I promised, you won't see anything like this anywhere else.

Everything worth doing is hard.

While it's important to realize that we are living in the best time possible. There are no bears to fight or lifespans of 35 years. I am literally typing words on a screen and get paid to do so. Yeah some stuff may be crappy but comparing it to back then is a huge misconception.

We have it good. Our struggles are mostly spiritual and fighting Betsy on aisle 5 after her "precious" son shat all over the hallway.

And I will repeat it: Find your game and get really good at it. It's going to suck at first. It's normal. Embrace it. Keep it at for longer than 6 months doing the right things and you WILL succeed.

AGAIN. It WILL suck at first. Just like these blogs do. But guess what? After the 10th or 20th one, they'll (hopefully) start getting better. And then, I've won.

March

Song: Nitepunk - HUMAN (yes, the whole thing)

Lesson #3: People buy with their wallets, not their words

This is one of the biggest lessons about behavior and it applies everywhere.

I've said it to every artist when they ask, "Should I do this?".

People will keep their true intentions private. They BUY their true intentions.

It's like a relationship. If they tell you they love you and proceed to hit you over the head with a bat, what's the message there?

April

Song: K?D - You and me

Lesson #4: Curiosity is the greatest human motivator

You'd think it's self-preservation, but it is not.

How was fire discovered?

Out of self preservation? Pffft.

It was more than likely caused by some Neanderthal (literally) wondering what happened if you hit 2 rocks enough times.

It's the same way teasers and "coming soon" announcements work so well and keep us excited even if the album is to be released 2 years later. (looking at you, Joyryde)

You can use this to your advantage but be careful because unfulfilled curiosity turns into resentment which is no bueno.

May

Song: G Jones - Daydreams

Lesson #5: Entertainment is the best way to retain attention.

Let's be honest. We pay our entertainers more than our educators. And there is little to be done about that.

Life sucks. Anyone who can remove the temporary dread is greatly rewarded. And that can include you. If you keep it ethical, you can be unstoppable, especially now with all the doom and gloom going around.

It's also simple to be entertaining—just different strokes for different folks. You can find what your audience finds funny and add your personality.

June

Song: Juelz - Divination

Lesson #6: You don't owe anything to anyone-ish

Around this time, I quit my managerial job searching for a "lower impact" one. It worked well, and I recommend it to anyone looking to start their own thing.

We tend to get hung on the whole "but people need me!!!!". They don't. You are more than likely replaceable, which is liberating. I don't know your life. Maybe your circumstances are dire, so dedicate yourself to learning how to become irreplaceable and earn more. Education is everywhere. It's all about learning and executing.

July

Song: Kill The Noise and Feed Me - Mirage

Lesson #7: If you don't change anything, the next 5 years will look pretty much like the last 5 years.

This one helped me realize i was stuck with nowhere to go and that had to change, pronto.

It lit a fire under my ass and I hope it does the same for you as well. There is only so much time until you wake up wondering where the time went.

And even if small, 1% of change everyday will result in 365% growth at the end of the year. You more than likely know what has to be changed. Don't wait. Time waits for no one.

August

Song: Koan Sound - Temple of Fervor

Lesson #8: We are problematic creatures. So fix problems.

We are literally the only creatures on earth that LOVE making problems out of anything and everything.

Don't have money? Problem

Have too much money? Problem

Don't have a partner? Problem

Have a partner? Problem

No Space Laces Release? Problem

Space Laces Release? Problem

You get the point.

The next lesson will help bring solutions to this... problem.

September

Song: No Mana - Justify

Lesson #9: Don't be the guru, be the guide.

Hopefully by now it's clear that everything is a problem. There's an upside: we love those that give solutions.

Solving problems is how humans live and process the world around them. You can do the same thing with your unique skill set.

Maybe you are patient and can fix the customer support problem (good luck). Maybe you are analytical and can fix the problem of finding solutions to complex problems.

The wonder comes when you realize that by fixing a problem, you create a new one. And if you can guide them through that NEW problem they will follow.

Again, Find your game and become the best at it. Everything else will follow.

October

G Jones - Paths (You can read the review of the best album of the year here)

Lesson #10: Q.U.I.T

This one comes from a marketing event I went to this month. It was one of the biggest lessons.

Side note: would you believe me if I told you there was more stuff on mindset than marketing? lol

We tend to get hung up on things that don't matter, people that don't deserve our time and situations that NO LONGER deserve our attention. There is a time for grit and a time to quit.

And sometimes it's best to just Q.U.I.T:

Quickly

Understand

It's

Time.

November

IMANU - Paradise

Lesson #11: It's not rocket science.

One of the things that happened this year is discovering that things don't have to be complex and complicated. A lot of it can be broken down into 3 simple steps. More about this in my upcoming book (decomplicate it).

It's easy to look at the monster in the cave when it's dark. The fastest way to find light is to have a high view and understand what ACTUALLY needs to be done.

For example this blog post: All I have to do is:

Write

Edit

Post.

Sure, I can

Add music

Make it colorful

Make it spin me round round baby round round

Add a thousand things to it

Sell you cheese

But that is OPTIONAL. All that is needed for this is Write, edit and Post. Everything else is extra. This can be applied to everything.

December

Song: Apashe - Lost in Mumbai

Lesson #12: Reframe your brain.

I learned this one on the first day of the month, and it was a fantastic way to close the month.

You are the author of your reality. Your mind has powers you can't even imagine are real. Use them wisely and change your life for the best.

One of the best ways to describe it is by grabbing an example from this blog.

Normal thought: This post is going to suck.

Reframe: This is a stepping stone towards becoming a better writer.

It doesn't make much sense. But that's the point.

You can do this for EVERYTHING.

Time management

Normal Thought: Manage your time

Reframe: Manage your energy

When things go wrong

Normal Thought: I can't believe this happened to me

Reframe: Everyone has problems, no exceptions

Working Retail

Normal thought: This Job Sucks

Reframe: This Job Sucks.

Use this for things that are painful to do and see the results. You don't have to be a hostage to your brain any longer.

Conclusion

And that's it.

If you enjoyed this, you can sign up for the email list where I send you a song and short story daily. Sign up at dumpsterdelicacies.com

And if you came here to see the Spotify wrapped, here it is, lol

Followed by a very kind rant.

I don't have much to say besides: HOW THE HECK IS THAT BROSTEP? HELLO? THERE IS LITERALLY NOTHING OF BROSTEP IN IT. NONE OF THE SONGS. G JONES IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED "BROSTEP".

Truly the Spotify Wrapped of all time.