Last week, I shared my friend Brian’s awesome system for annual planning.
But he surprised me with a fun little P.S. that immediately hit home:
“I also like to pick a theme song for the year.”
I loved it.
Because yes, planning is about goals, priorities, and calendars—but what about energy? Mood? Identity? That deeper sense of “who I want to be this year”? A theme song captures all of that in a way a spreadsheet never will.
So this week, I’m inviting you to help me choose my theme song for 2026—and to pick yours while you’re at it.
Why Every Leader Needs a Theme Song
Sure, at first it might sound like fluff—until you realize that great leaders don’t just manage tasks. They manage their physical, mental and emotional state.
And music is one of the fastest, most powerful state-shifters we have. Here’s why it works:
1. It Creates Emotional Anchoring
Music is neurologically wired to memory and emotion.
A theme song becomes an emotional shortcut—a way to instantly reconnect with the version of you that’s confident, energized, focused, motivated… even happy!
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck and your confidence starts to waver, cue the music to break the inertia.
In those moments, get out of your head: hit PLAY and move.
Hear it, feel it, do it.
2. It Clarifies Your Intent for the Year
Picking a theme song isn’t just about the vibe—it’s about vision.
Maybe this is going to be your year of…
- Courage, after playing it safe for too long
- Steadiness, in the midst of rapid change
- Renewal, after burning out
- Boldness, when you’re stepping into a bigger room
- Faith, when you’re tempted to give up
The right song becomes your North Star—not just what you want to do, but who you want to become.
3. It Reinforces Identity, Not Just Behavior
Most goal-setting focuses on external results: “Hit this number,” “Build that skill.”
But a theme song shifts how you show up.
It reinforces the energy you bring into the room, the voice you’re learning to trust, and the presence you want people to feel before you even speak.
And when it comes to leadership and executive presence, that identity work is the secret sauce.
4. It Encourages Self-Leadership
Picking a theme song is a simple but powerful act of self-leadership. You’re:
- Designing your own emotional environment
- Reinforcing your desired internal state
- Practicing how to lead yourself—before you lead others
It’s not just motivation. It’s alignment.
So… What Should be My Song for 2026?
I haven’t picked my 2026 theme song yet, and I want to crowdsource a soundtrack for success. So help me out:
What would you suggest? What song(s) gets you into your power, your flow, your zone of genius?
Some titles that are on my current power-state playlist include:
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” (Queen)
- “Natural”(Imagine Dragons)
- “Walking on Sunshine” (Katrina and the Waves – because sometimes you just need high-energy fun and optimism)
- “Lose Yourself” (Eminem – yes, you can absolutely have Eminem and Katrina and the Waves on the same list!)
- “My Shot” (from Hamilton)
- “Confident” (Demi Lovato)
- “The Future is Golden” (Oh the Larceny)
- “Born for This” (The Score)
- “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You…)” – (Kelly Clarkson)
- “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor – hey, I’m in Philadelphia; this HAD to be on the list!)
I highly recommend checking them all out. Then let me know which one(s) spoke to you, and share your go-to songs with me!
Remember: This Is Part of Your Annual Plan
Last week, we talked about how to design your year for results. But the design needs some rocket fuel.
Your theme song is the track you hear in your head before you walk into a big meeting, negotiate a raise, or show up as the leader you’ve been working to become.
It’s how you reinforce your word of the year, your big audacious goals, or your commitment to doing things differently this time.
So don’t underestimate it. Picking a theme song isn’t just fun—it’s functional. It’s a strategic tool in your leadership toolkit, and it just might be the difference between burnout and breakthrough in 2026.
Your Turn
So I’m asking you personally: What would be your suggestion for a great 2026 theme song? And why does it resonate with you right now?
I’ll compile the submissions (anonymously) into a crowd-curated 2026 Power-State Playlist and share it in a future post so we can all share the inspiration and the fun.
Because when the goals get heavy and the days get long, sometimes the fastest way back to yourself… is through your headphones.
Let’s build that playlist together.
