Jordan Sterling

Welcome to the PTT Music Podcast, where music is so much more than entertainment. It's a powerful catalyst for inspiration, personal growth, and positive change. I'm Jordan Sterling.

Ava Brooks

And I'm Ava Brooks. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're joining us for the very first time, we're so glad you're here! As positive behavior specialists, Jordan and I love exploring practical behavioral techniques and showing how purposeful music can help you build confidence, elevate your mindset, and thrive in everyday life.

Jordan Sterling

That's right, Ava. On the PTT Music Podcast, our mission is to explore Music With Purpose and Sound With Impact. We break down empowering behavioral science and pair it with inspiring music to help you strengthen your mind, step into your potential, and carry uplifting energy into everything you do.

Ava Brooks

And today, we're diving into a fantastic positive behavior topic that touches almost everyone at some point. I was reviewing some classic social psychology research this week on how we perceive ourselves in social and professional settings. Many people step into a meeting, a stage, or a new room thinking that every eye is locked onto them, analyzing every single move.

Jordan Sterling

It's such a common phenomenon in human psychology! People often assume everyone around them is hyperfocused on their presence, when in reality, people are primarily focused on their own lives and their own thoughts.

Ava Brooks

Exactly! Back in two thousand, Tom Gilovich of Cornell University, along with Victoria Husted Medvec of Northwestern University and Kenneth Savitsky of Williams College, ran a classic experiment on what we call the spotlight effect. They published it in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, in a paper titled "The Spotlight Effect in Social Judgment."

Jordan Sterling

Tell us about that Cornell experiment, Ava. How did they test this mindset?

Ava Brooks

They had Cornell undergraduates put on a T-shirt with a large photo of singer Barry Manilow and briefly step into a room where other students were filling out a questionnaire. Afterward, the researchers asked the shirt wearers to estimate how many people in the room would be able to say who was on their shirt.

Jordan Sterling

And I'm guessing the wearers assumed almost everyone in the room noticed.

Ava Brooks

On average, they estimated that nearly half of the room, about forty six percent, would notice. But when the researchers checked with the people in the room, do you know how many actually noticed?

Jordan Sterling

Knowing how busy human minds are, I'd imagine it was significantly lower.

Ava Brooks

Only about twenty three percent! The wearers overestimated by roughly double. The researchers explained that we anchor on our own experience and don't adjust enough for other people's perspectives. When we're conscious of something about ourselves, we overestimate how much others notice.

Jordan Sterling

That's such an empowering realization. Understanding that people aren't critically judging you gives you complete freedom to express yourself authentically. It removes unnecessary tension and lets you show up with confidence.

Ava Brooks

Yes! It ties into a related idea called the illusion of transparency, which Thomas Gilovich, Kenneth Savitsky, and Victoria Husted Medvec studied in a nineteen ninety eight paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. They found that people overestimate how well others can discern their internal states. We believe our feelings leak out more than they really do, so people are often less aware of what we're feeling than we assume.

Jordan Sterling

Think about how that applies to music and creative work. An artist might fixate on a subtle detail in a song, assuming listeners will notice it, when a listener may simply be enjoying the message, the melody, and the uplifting feeling of the track!

Ava Brooks

That's so true, Jordan. When you realize the spotlight is mostly an illusion, you can direct all your energy into creating, serving others, and bringing your best self forward.

Jordan Sterling

So how can we use this understanding of positive behavior to step into any situation with clarity and focus?

Ava Brooks

The key is shifting from self focused awareness to goal focused contribution. When you focus on what you can give to the room, your confidence naturally rises and your energy shifts to positive action.

Jordan Sterling

Absolutely! And a sound cue can help you set that state of mind. For instance, whenever you want to focus on your purpose and ground yourself in what you can contribute, you could start with the PTT Music track "Create."

Ava Brooks

"Create" is a great choice. Pairing a song you love with a clear intention can help you turn your attention toward possibilities.

Jordan Sterling

It really can. And when you want to add joy and confidence to that routine, another PTT Music song to try is "Do My Dance."

Ava Brooks

Oh, "Do My Dance" is a perfect fit! The title says it all. It's an invitation to step into your presence, celebrate who you are, and enjoy being yourself.

Jordan Sterling

Think about what that title asks of you. "Do My Dance" is a first person statement. It puts you in charge of how you express yourself, instead of waiting on anyone else's approval.

Ava Brooks

And that connects right back to the spotlight effect. If people are noticing far less than we think, then you have room to move, speak, and create in your own style. Listening to "Do My Dance" before an event can be a reminder to bring your own style with you.

Jordan Sterling

Now compare that with "Create." The word itself is an action. It points you toward making something and contributing, which is exactly the goal focused mindset you described earlier, Ava.

Ava Brooks

Yes! Try this. Play "Create" while you prepare, and ask yourself, "What am I here to make or give today?" Then, right before it's time to step forward, play "Do My Dance" and ask, "How do I want to show up?" One song points your attention to your contribution, and the other to your authentic expression.

Jordan Sterling

That's a simple way to build a positive habit cue. Pairing "Create" with "Do My Dance" gives you a toolkit for your daily routine. You can let "Create" be your cue for mental clarity, and "Do My Dance" be your cue for celebration and enthusiasm.

Ava Brooks

It creates a structured routine before any event. You can build your own sound anchor routine whenever you prepare to step into a new environment or start a creative session.

Jordan Sterling

Step one, select an inspiring track like "Create" or "Do My Dance" that energizes you. Step two, pair that music with a clear focus statement, such as, "I'm here to bring value, share joy, and inspire others."

Ava Brooks

I love that technique! Instead of wondering how you'll be received, you enter the space anchored in your purpose and dedicated to inspiring those around you.

Jordan Sterling

Exactly. You move forward with proactive energy, backed by positive behavior strategies and energizing music, knowing that you have full freedom to shine and succeed.

Ava Brooks

Because when you anchor yourself in positive purpose, you inspire everyone around you to do the very same.

Jordan Sterling

That's the power of Music With Purpose and positive mindset strategies working hand in hand.

Jordan Sterling

Again, thanks for spending this time with us on the PTT Music Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you inspired, encouraged, and ready to carry that energy with you wherever life takes you. I'm Jordan Sterling...

Ava Brooks

and I'm Ava Brooks. We'll see you next time for another conversation that celebrates creativity, purpose, and the power of music.

Jordan Sterling

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to continue the journey with us. Visit PTTMusic.com to explore our latest music, official videos, exclusive merchandise, artist updates, and much more.

Ava Brooks

You can also stream PTT Music on your favorite music platforms, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little inspiration today. Until next time, keep moving forward, and let the PTT Music continue to move you.