The Microphone Fiend: How Rakim Taught Me the Importance of Monologue.

I pushed the record button on the boombox, took a deep breath, and began.

“Knowledge’ll begin until I finish this song

'Cause the rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme goes on

You sweat as you step, about to get hype

Or should you just listen to the man on the mic…”

Early that hot July of ‘87 The mayor was photographed on a boat with his wife for the riverboat festival, there was a two-alarm fire at a building that made buses for country stars and the Klan marched in the Murfreesboro square on July the fourth.

While all of this was going on, I was in the Lab (the bedroom that I shared with my brother) with my dual cassette player pumping the latest from Eric B and Rakim, The Rhyme Gets Rougher and recording myself reciting all the lyrics.

Did you know that Rakim takes a breath at the beginning of that song and doesn’t breathe again for the next 4 minutes? Amazing breath control, The remainder of that song is filled with the most self-aware monologue that inspired and taught me the importance of self-affirmation and self-awareness..

“The only time I stop, is when somebody drop, and then

Bring 'em to the front cause my rhyme's the oxygen

Then wave your hand, when you're ready I'll send you

Into your favorite dance, but let the rhyme continue”

So, there I sat, a scrawny kid leaning into the rhyme like a Huffy bike against a kickstand. Enamored with the way the message was transmitted through the low vocal tones, the pacing, and the rhythm. Thankful for the mystic way my heart received the message.

I began to change my conversational structure. My vocals became dense and clear. I spoke in a slow cadence, monitored my breath control, and sought to find words that gave depth and breadth to the man I was becoming.

“So just, give me a mic, if it's loud I'll blow it

If not, into the crowd I'll throw it

Pull out my cordless mic to entertain ya well

Before I let go I'mma spark your brain cell”

Each day of reciting this rhyme did something for me that I couldn’t put into words. I felt the change, like my body had stretched and I grew an inch.

As the years passed, I’ve learned that in this world of quick decisions and immediate results in business and personal development, finding and articulating your purpose can be daunting. Just as Rakim once taught me, Monologuing can help you find your purpose. I found that by engaging in a structured, reflective monologue, you can unlock insights about yourself and your goals.

By applying strategies from my Purpose Pillar Blueprint, I want to share four actionable tactics for monologuing your way to a clearer purpose.

The Purpose Pillar Blueprint

Before diving into the tactics, let's understand the four purpose pillars:

1. Prismatic People Primer: This pillar helps define your personality traits, interests, relevant associations, professional organizations, career options, and hobbies. It’s all about self-discovery.

2. Purpose Prism: This highlights four categories of characteristics with three definable traits you must prepare to activate along with tactics to grow these traits. The categories are Clarity, Action, Recruit, and Empower.

3. C.A.R.E. Package: This includes tactics to clarify, activate, recruit, and empower your purpose through the five senses in your business and personal life.

4. M.A.P Maker: This pillar focuses on managing money and resources, understanding your audience, and developing a concise purpose statement.

Tactic 1: Engage in Self-Discovery Monologues

Purpose Pillar: Prismatic People Primer

Take Action!!: Set aside time each day to speak out loud about your personality traits, interests, and career aspirations. Use these monologues to explore:

Who are you? Describe your core values, strengths, and passions.

What are your interests? Talk about activities and subjects that excite you.

What associations or organizations resonate with you? Monologue how these affiliations align with your identity.

Measurable Results!!: By verbalizing these aspects, you create a clearer self-image, which can lead to better career alignment and increased job satisfaction. This, in turn, can improve your participation and engagement at work and home, positively impacting your profit and loss statement through enhanced performance and allowing you the meaningful relationships you need at home.

Tactic 2: Clarify Your Purpose with Reflective Monologues

Purpose Pillar: Purpose Prism (Focus on Clarity)

Take Action!!: Use monologues to delve into the traits of Awakening, Pursuit, and Purpose. Reflect on:

Awakening: Discuss moments that have sparked a realization about your purpose.

Pursuit: Outline how you actively seek and chase your goals.

Purpose: Articulate what you believe your life’s purpose to be.

Measurable Results!!: Regularly practicing these monologues helps solidify your understanding of your purpose, leading to more focused and effective actions. This clarity can result in strategic initiatives that drive growth and profitability, evident in improved revenue and understanding of the people you love.

Tactic 3: Activate and Align Your Actions

Purpose Pillar: C.A.R.E. Package (Focus on Activate)

Take Action!!: Monologue about how you can activate your purpose in daily tasks and interactions. Consider:

Daily Touchpoints: Discuss how each task you undertake contributes to your larger purpose.

Alignment: Reflect on how well your current actions align with your stated purpose.

Measurable Results!!: By verbalizing these points, you can identify discrepancies between your actions and your purpose, allowing you to make necessary adjustments. This alignment can lead to more effective use of resources and time, enhancing overall efficiency and profitability.

Tactic 4: Develop a Purpose Statement and Review Regularly

Purpose Pillar: M.A.P Maker (Focus on Purpose)

Take Action!!: Create a clear and concise purpose statement through monologues. Regularly revisit and refine this statement by asking:

What is my purpose? State it clearly and confidently.

How does it evolve? Reflect on any changes or new insights.

How do I implement it? Discuss practical steps to incorporate your purpose into your business and life.

Measurable Results!!: A well-defined purpose statement guides decision-making and strategic planning, leading to more coherent and effective business practices. Regular reviews ensure that your purpose evolves with your experiences and insights, contributing to sustained growth and profitability, as reflected in your financial statements.

Rakim taught me the importance of Monologuing. Later I incorporated the technique in the search for purpose. By using the Purpose Pillar Blueprint, you can engage in structured, reflective monologues that lead to actionable insights and measurable business improvements. Implement these four tactics today to start your journey toward a clearer, more purposeful, and profitable future.

“I want you to hear, this perfectly clear

Catch what I'm sayin'? You get the idea?

I hope you 'knowledge the beginnin', 'cause I'm finished this song

The rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme flows on.”

-All Quotes from The Rhyme Gets Rougher by Eric B and Rakim