Multiple studies have shown a link between music study and academic/professional achievement. But one must wonder how exactly can music shape success...

1. How Can Music
Shape Success?

2. It’s not a coincidence that many well-known
visionaries have actually had musical
training in the past. Multiple studies have
shown a link between music study and
academic/professional achievement.

3. But one must wonder how
exactly can music shape
success...

4. Music has the capacity of
opening up the pathways to
creative thinking.
I.

5. According to Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, music
“reinforces your confidence in the ability to create.”
Allen has been playing the violin since he was 7 years old
and the guitar since he was a teenager.
He recalls that even after long days at Microsoft, he would
always pick up the guitar.
He would channel a different kind of creative impulse
through music that he simply couldn’t do at his regular
job.
Music helped him look beyond what was in front of him
and allowed him to express himself in a new light.

6. Music teaches a very specific
kind of focus and discipline,
which can then be applied in
other aspects of life such as
problem solving.
II.

7. Mr. Chuck Todd, NBC’s chief White House correspondent,
plays the French horn and attended college on music
scholarships.
According to him, the discipline he put into years of music
practice and competitions is the same discipline he applies
to his work.
He calls it the “drive to perfection.”

8. Music allows us to weave
together concepts that
otherwise would be considered
conflicting ideas.
III.

9. Mr. James D. Wolfensohn, former World Bank president,
who plays the cello and has even performed at Carnegie
Hall, confesses that music acts as a “hidden language.”
Many times music allowed him to become more open-
minded and understand people and their culture better
during his travels while running the World Bank.

10. Conclusions
IV.

11. Music training cannot guarantee that you will be a genius
or a visionary - these are gifts you are born with.
However, music can certainly shape you and put you in the
right track to achieve your full potential by training you to
think differently from the rest.
As these world leaders continue to show us, music has the
ability of sharpening your skills to collaborate, listen,
problem solve, and focus.