I was watching Dragon’s Den, the Canadian TV reality show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to the Dragons (the investors) in the hopes of getting the funds they need to make their business and dreams a reality. To win the Dragons’ support, you have to show them a brilliant idea that will blow their mind. Sometimes I get a kick out of watching aspiring entrepreneurs outsmart the Dragons, and some get eaten alive for mediocre ideas.

Well, life is similar to that of the dragon’s den.  The world is the stage; your target market/ clients/ prospects are the dragons. Everyday we find ourselves in the den, always fighting for the dragons’ vote. If that’s the case, we can’t just be good enough. We can’t just stop at aspiring to be “okay.”  We have to be brilliant and rise above the crowd.

But sometimes it’s not just doing and giving our “best.” We could be really good at what we do, but sometimes we just don’t care. I know of several bright people, but have no ambitions and no drive to succeed. They’re just content at being where they are; they didn’t want to exert effort to go beyond mediocre. So for me, if you want to win in the dragon’s den, you have to want to be good. It’s your attitude + your cunning abilities that will win you support, success and respect.

So… how good do you want to be?

It’s not everyday that you get inspired by a real story of everyday people. But tonight, I found the perfect Cinderella Story from YouTube – and he’s a rock star.

I’m talking about Arnel Pineda, the Filipino lead singer of the amazing American band, Journey. It’s not just his super tenor rock-’n-roll voice that I fell in love with; it’s his story of going through poverty, the harshness of life… and coming on top of the world in the end. He had a great voice – and he used that talent to survive. Then one day, the famous lead guitarist of the band discovered him from YouTube – and the rest is history. I just love the power of social media – it can turn you into a superstar in one click.

Who would’ve thought that an Asian guy would be the front man for a famous American band? This story tells us that we all can have our own Cinderella Story – as long as we believe in ourselves. Arnel knew that his greatest asset is his voice – and he used it. Know what your strength is, and focus on it. Keep harnessing it. And above all, use it. No ifs, no buts. Quoting the famous swoosh brand, just do it. And who knows – the impossible might just happen.

Goodluck fellow budding rockstars!
Ara

PS – Watch this rockstar’s Cinderella story below and be inspired.

“Don’t stop believing…” Now I can’t get this song out of my head…

SUPERSTAR: A term used to refer to a celebrity who has great popular appeal and is widely-known, prominent, successful or dazzlingly skilled in any field.

A BUDDING SUPERSTAR (my definition): Someone who has the potential to be a Superstar – works smart and extra hard, dreams big and makes things happen.