“You should feel like you’re carrying around a duffel bag
with a heat-seeking missile in it.”
Taylor Swift gave this advice for how to own the stage and
dominate the opportunity of being on one of the most successful TV shows today,
The Voice. The singer-songwriter superstar has obviously broken the code on
seizing the opportunity—and by the age of 24.
On the surface, The Voice is a reality singing competition
that features famous judges and mentors, such as Swift, who offer advice to the
contestants on their team. On another level, the show is really about grabbing
the chance you’ve been given, coaching others to the next level, teaching them
how to win, how to become a star.
While I genuinely enjoy the music each week, I have also
gathered subtle lessons on creating an amazing career. Here are five:
1. Keep evolving and stay fresh.
The show appeared on the scene in 2011 when American Idol
and X Factor were big, yet showing signs of a tired and fading format. The
Voice held tight to the singing competition that audiences loved, but it
embraced a more positive tone of coaching contestants. Rather than adopt Idol’s
shtick of laughing at the weakest performers, it only invited those who
deserved to be there. And with the new and positive twist of the judges’ chair
turn for their favorite voices, The Voice anticipated the emerging views of the
audience and beat them there with a fresh new take on a familiar concept.
Past success isn’t an indicator of future success. In fact,
past success is just the reason to seek the next evolution and new perspective
on your career. Don’t settle in just because you have initial success.
2. Opportunity has no timetable, so be ready.
The Voice contestants have one chance to make it to the live
competition. They must seize the opportunity when it appears—they don’t get to
choose the timing.
Business and careers are much the same way. If we wait until
we are “ready,” the open door might close before we get to it. When you meet
the right advocate, see an opening for a new business opportunity or find that
your dream job has opened up, it’s time to move. Anticipate so that you are
ready when you need to be, not when you want to be.
3. Don’t be fooled by age or experience.
Experience and age don’t equal wisdom and expertise. There
are 15-year-old contestants who own the stage with musical instincts that defy
logic. How can such a young and inexperienced person grab this unique
opportunity with such ease? These young performers have confidence, an ability
to tune out fears and distractions, along with incredible natural talent.
Yes, we need experts with deep know-how at times, but we
need to learn to value the contribution, not the age or experience. In many
fields, such as the arts, media and entrepreneurship, not having years of
experience in “how it’s done” might just be the positive difference-maker.
4. Small things can be big things.
In The Voice mentoring sessions, you see the influence of an
established artist’s advice to the contestants, even on matters that seem small
at first. Changing up the musical arrangement, dropping the guitar, owning the
stage or a Gwen Stefani makeover can significantly impact results.
Remember the small things, like keeping a positive workplace
attitude, really listening to your clients and taking time to stay in touch
with your network. These types of things don’t automatically pop up as top
priorities on your to-do list each day, so they can tend to feel optional. But
remember the small things—they hold substantial power in moving your career
forward.
5. Be you everywhere.
If there is one common theme for me on The Voice, it’s that
the judges and their team members who are true to themselves usually get the
best results. Blake Shelton doesn’t hide his country roots and, as if he were
family, he genuinely takes care of everyone on his team. Pharrell Williams,
comfortable in his own skin, has a natural ability to connect with the new
singers. And as a new judge, he built a great team by not relying on his
success or ego but his ability to focus on the contestants, making it about
them rather than him.
Walk in your own shoes. Being yourself will bring more
success than trying to be someone else—and you’ll be a lot less exhausted.
By :Patti Johnson
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