I sound [saʊnd] strange because I’m singing the counter [‘kaʊntɚ] -melody ['mɛlədi]
By Derek ['derik] Sivers
A lot of people think my advice and opinions sound strange.
Even my mom read a recent one and said, “You don’t actually mean this stuff [stʌf], do you?”
So, a little explanation: [,ɛksplə'neʃən]
Do you know what musical ['mjuzɪkl] counterpoint ['kaʊntɚpɔɪnt] is?
Underneath [,ʌndɚ'niθ] the main melody ['mɛlədi], you have a counter-melody that goes against it, and together they make harmony ['hɑrməni].
This is different than just harmonizing /'hɑrmənaɪz/, where someone sings along with the melody at an interval ['ɪntɚvl]. This is a separate [sɛprɪt] melody that could stand on its own, but is really there to complement [ˈkɑːmplɪment] the main melody.
Well, if my advice and opinions sound strange, it’s because I’m just the counter-melody.
I know I’m not the only voice you hear. There’s a message I know that most of my readers or listeners are hearing, because it’s a common message we all hear these days. So let’s call that the melody.
I may love that melody too, but I don’t want to just duplicate /'duplɪket/ it. So I try to think of a good counter-melody.
I do it to compensate ['kɑmpɛnset] (or over-compensate) for something I think is missing in the common message.
So my public posts are a counterpoint meant to complement the popular point.
For example:
• There’s a glorification /ˌɡlɔ:rifi'keiʃən/ of leadership and those who start companies [ˈkʌmpəniz]. So I suggested that it’s more effective to be an early follower /'fɑloɚ/.
• The popular “law /lɔ/ of attraction[ə'trækʃən]” says [sɛz] you should tell everyone your goals. So I shared an interesting study showing that telling your plans makes them less likely to happen.
• To people who are too focused on money, I preach [pritʃ] my point that generosity /ˌdʒɛnə'rɑsəti/ is a more effective path to success.
• To people who are too focused on passion ['pæʃən] and purpose ['pɝpəs], I preach my point that money can lead you towards your purpose, because it shows you where you’re valuable to others.
• And I love pointing out that the opposite [ˈɑpəzɪt] of anything may also be true.
Now if you ask [æsk] me if I think the stuff I say is the only way to go, of course not! I’m just the counter-melody.
My best advice is to listen to the combination /ˌkɑmbɪ'neʃən/. Eventually you’ll find yourself singing along with the melody you like best. Or making up your own.
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