Graceland, as most of us know, is the Tennessee home of the famous Elvis Presley. The house where he lived, along with the grounds, now enhanced with a wedding chapel in the woods, and immersive and interactive experiences, are all designed to honor and celebrate the life of the musical legend.
Following a recent visit to Graceland, I came up with 10 lessons I learned while visiting the famous retreat. Taking cues from the King of Rock and Roll himself, I drew comparisons between life as an entrepreneur and visionary and that of the musician, actor, and legend.
Graceland, Memphis
Known for challenging norms, Elvis, like so many entrepreneurs, took the best of what he saw in a variety of music types and blended them to build his own songs and brand. He was provocative, inspired new ideas, and refused to live within the box so many suggested he should. Elvis’ career focused both on music and film, spanning genres and strategically cultivating the excitement of a new era. Elvis came from humble beginnings, rising to great heights thanks to his innovative ideas and iron will.
Here are the lessons I learned from Graceland:
1. It’s ok to have a private life. People will respect you for it.
So often, as entrepreneurs, the lines between our personal lives and our work personas are very blurred. His personal life was on display all the time. When you tour Graceland you actually cannot go into the upstairs where his personal bedroom and spaces are. Even the majority of the current staff has never been up there. The lesson here: take the time you need away from work and it is ok to set healthy boundaries of what the public has access to. You’ll be a better visionary for it and others in your orbit will respect you for the time you take for perspective, rejuvenation, and for taking care of yourself so you can give your best self to the work. Your private life does not need to be on display to everyone; it’s none of their business.
2. In all that you do, show up with passion and love.
Elvis poured his soul into everything he did and lived in his unique abilities. When you remember why you got into business in the first place, you can share that passion with the world, all while showing loving kindness to everyone from the delivery driver to the interesting connection you meet at a networking event. After all, anything can happen. Either person could be your next big client and that kindness and passion will come back to you tenfold.
3. Make time for other passions.
We know this lesson from the EOS® Life too. For Elvis, his passions beyond film and music manifested in building slot cars, playing racquetball, playing and watching football and mastering the art of karate. Entrepreneurs are visionaries because they throw their full effort behind their passions. Like Elvis, entrepreneurs find inspiration from working alongside others and in passion areas beyond their businesses. New ideas, new connections and doing good along the way brings more light to the world and provides benefit to so many – perhaps unseen initially - at the same time. What are your other passions outside of work?
4. Be authentically YOU in all you do.
Elvis’ unique style and sound, and his ability to break boundaries mixing musical genres and a focus on acting permeated all areas of his life and brand. Elvis shows us it’s ok to be different, even when it means there are those who challenge you along the way. We’ve heard the adage “Be you. Everyone else is taken.” Your brilliance is who you are: your uniqueness, your originality, your brilliant ideas, and even your quirks (you either like peanut butter and banana sandwiches or you don’t…).
5. Believe in a higher power.
Elvis believed in God and was spiritual. He found comfort and inspiration working with a spiritual guide. There is something both comforting and humbling about believing in something greater than yourself. Whatever “higher power” means to you, look to that guide for confidence, grace, and the reminder that you are indeed human.
6. Be extra.
There’s blending in and then there’s being extra. Find your own level of extra. Elvis had a presence on any stage or in any film with his unique style. Pink, gold, glitter, lace, velvet, eyeliner, black hair dye and all of his brilliantly designed outfits; these were all things he loved. He didn’t care what others thought. He did Elvis. And he did it well. What is your brand and your style? How do others know a gesture, act of service, or simple note is uniquely yours?
7. Focus on the “who” not “how.”
Elvis’ vision for his brand became reality. His journey wasn’t without bumps along the way. Great visionaries – like Elvis – know they can’t build great businesses and brands on their own. Utilize the right people around you so you can remain focused on your unique ability. Seek out and cultivate relationships with those good at the areas of the business where you may not be best. Their brilliance helps yours shine even brighter and the “how” inevitably follows.
8. Show up to each performance with the same level of preparation as the first time.
Do you remember the first time you had to stand up in front of a crowd and talk about what you do? Or the first presentation you gave to a potential client? What kind of prep did you do for that first big pitch? Elvis knew the power of preparation and used it for every performance he gave, earning him the title of “the King” where rock and roll was concerned. He didn’t get there without continually honing, revising, practicing, and tweaking his gift of performance.
9. Give the gift of generosity.
Elvis was notoriously generous. His giving extended beyond friends and family as he gave to his fans, his team, charities and even now, in the form of the gift of Graceland, to all those who see him as an inspiration. From his mother’s pink Cadillac to an early childhood distribution of comic books to other children in his neighborhood, Elvis led with the gift of generosity. Whether you can be generous with your time, your networking, your resources, or your kindness, find your own special ways to share your gifts with the world.
10. Make time to do things on your bucket list.
The exercise of writing out those things you hope/need/want to do before you’re too old to enjoy can be a gift in itself. What are the things on your list? One friend refers to it as her “live it” list. Her list is full of all the things she believes will help her live life to the fullest. For me, a visit to Graceland was on the list. Build your list, then make those experiences come to life!
The inspiration behind Elvis’ legacy, his music, his films, and his generosity can provide insight to us all. These lessons show us the power behind being yourself, believing in your own gifts, and then sharing them with the world. How you share, what you share, and when you share is up to you. May you, like the Catalyst Team, find the courage, conviction, and grace to live authentically out loud!