What’s in Your Favorites List?

Many individuals throughout the world are familiar with the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical, The Sound of Music.

Several of the songs performed in The Sound of Music have become standards, including one of the most popular tunes in the musical titled, “My Favorite Things.”

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens” are instantly recognizable lyrics that have delighted countless fans throughout the years — children and adults alike.

For example, have you ever listened to John Coltrane’s near fourteen-minute version of “My Favorite Things” on his album of the same name?  In 1961, having been inspired by the original “My Favorite Things,” Coltrane released his version of the song, which became a jazz classic.

Ironically, a song with lyrics about one individual’s list of favorite things is likely now listed on thousands of individuals’ lists of favorite things.

It’s refreshing when individuals can clearly and easily define those things that they believe in and hold most dear.

Who could forget the famous “I Believe” speech that Kevin Costner made while playing character Crash Davis in the 1998 film Bull Durham?   As Susan Sarandon as Annie in the movie replied, “Oh, my!”

Knowing your likes and dislikes is a key exercise for reinforcing self and individualism.  However, it’s important to be aware that announcing your preferences to the world can, by default, associate or segment you into a larger group of individuals who share your preferences.

Think about the last time that you “Liked” an organization’s Facebook Fan page.  Did you happen to notice new advertisements promoting content similar to that organization’s mission and services popping up in the ad section of your Facebook Profile page in the following days?  Without doubt, marketers today are focused on your preferences and the groups to which you belong.

So, the next time you publicly list your favorite things, you may want to ask yourself, “Who else likes these same things?” and “Which groups am I now a member of?”