Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Susan Boyle Phenomenon

Why has UK (Scottish) Britain’s Got Talent Contestant, Susan Boyle, become such a huge worldwide success almost overnight? Is she really such a phenomenal talent as many claim, including usually harsh American Idol/Britain’s Got Talent judge, Simon Cowel?

Well… Perhaps there’s something else adding to the incredible rise of Miss Boyle, something far more deep-seated that has very little to do with the sound of her voice - but everything to do with “her voice” in the sense of what kind of message her story sends out.
From that perspective, hers is a voice of inspiration. It tells us that maybe we’re not so totally lost in the fluff of the commercial age with all its trimmings and sugarcoated superficialities after all. Or if we are, maybe times could be changing? Perhaps we are at last ready to re-think some of our most unaccommodating values? Maybe. Still, I can’t help but think that Susan Boyle’s choice of song for the UK contest was ironic (“I Dreamed a Dream”).

Whatever the case is, one thing is certain; many people have simply had enough of plastic images and super over-produced artist that all look and sound the same. In that sense, Susan Boyle is a wonderful breath of fresh air. She’s totally herself – and that, unfortunately, is enough to cause a worldwide sensation these days.

Susan Boyle’s story is a wonderful one, but that’s mainly what it is – a great fairytale story that feeds a growing need for something different, something authentic. It speaks to some inherent belief in all of us that it’s OK to dream of something bigger and perhaps seemingly out of reach, and that those dreams can come true – no matter how late in life.

What is so ”shocking” to most people about the Susan Boyle story is that she is such an unlikely candidate for this kind of success, certainly in this business! She doesn’t ”look the part” , in fact as far from it as is humanely possible according to our stereotypical celebrity standards. She is far ”too old” for a debutante (although she is only in her forties), and she is totally nonconformist, which most record labels and producers tend to shy away from because it often spells less commercial adaptability and success. The mere fact that the judges in the Britain’s Got Talent contest clearly experienced both shock and awe when Boyle first opened her mouth says a lot about how we have come to naturally expect talent to be presented in a certain way.

As a voice and performance coach of almost twenty five years, I have come across a substantial number of incredibly talented people – many of them far more talented, a lot younger and, certainly more stereotypical looking than Susan Boyle. But few of them possessed the one quality that Miss Boyle clearly has: total authenticity. She is what she is. And she doesn’t seem to concern herself one bit with other people’s opinion – not yet anyway… And that is oddly infectious and appealing.

The truth is I do see the Susan Boyle’s story as part of a growing trend. More and more people prefer authenticity over a smooth polish. They want something that they can relate to and be moved by on a deeper level, and a smooth polish simply doesn’t provide any rough edges to hold on to. They want to be inspired by their own kind rather than by someone totally unreachable from a different planet.
I suspect that to most people the standard celebrity is as depressing as they are inspiring because they’re so “picture perfect”. No average John or Jane, no one “normal” without a personal shopper, a private chef, an in house photographer, a fresh supply of Botox in the fridge, and a personal yoga instructor on call 24/7 could possibly imagine themselves in their favorite celebrity’s shoes - till now.

Any woman over forty can probably see just some part of herself in Susan Doyle – and that’s why we love her. She has become the symbol of the real desperate housewife who doesn’t spend five hours a day in the gym and looks 50 going on 25 “ because she’s worth it”!

I say good for Susan Boyle! I really wish her all the very best and I hope she will never fall prey to the rigid rules of a business that has for far too long dictated what we should all like and dislike and set as our general standards for what is cool, popular and even acceptable.

Suzann Rye.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

New Interactive Learning Community


New Interactive Learning Community Launches Live Online Breakthrough Courses

myRxforLiving.com, an online learning and coaching center has begun accepting registrations for its Fall 2009 Breakthrough Courses.

About my Rx for Living:myRxforLiving.com provides live fee-based online courses for self improvement in the areas of career, health, spirituality, personal finance and relationships with free access to its life coaching and goal setting system and community.

New & Exclusive! LIVE Online "Your Voice is Your Calling Card" Breakthrough Coaching Experience:
http://bit.ly/R5FbH

Utilizing a high-speed Internet connection, an interactive video, voice, and text communication interface and highly qualified and respected course leaders, the company provides live online courses for individuals’ self-improvement.
The four to six week educational seminars focus on a wide variety of subjects for anyone needing a personal breakthrough in the areas of career, health, spirituality, personal finance and relationships. With the guidance of course leaders, goal setting and life planning tools and a like-minded personal development community, members and course attendees can incorporate a supportive learning environment into their daily lifestyle.

“Everybody gets stuck in life,” says my Rx for Living co-founder, Adam Christopher, about my Rx for Living’s ‘Breakthrough’ approach to personal success. “We wanted to create an Educational Institute on the Internet to help people unlock their true potential and realize their aspirations. We do this through the knowledge and leadership of our experts and the support of our community and goal setting tools.”

In addition to the online sessions, enrolled members have unlimited access to learning materials, course updates, tools and their course leaders for one full year via the site’s online coaching system and e-mail.

“We have created a technology and course platform that makes it possible for everyone to manage their energy, not their time, to accomplish lasting personal change.” says Vice President of Marketing Steve Toth. “This environment gets
everyone on the site to be engaging, invigorating, joyful, confident, challenged and connected to community.”

Membership for the online interactive coaching center is FREE. Members can join the community at no cost and utilize myRxforLiving.com’s goal setting and life planning tools. In addition, complimentary access to self-improvement videos, audios, forums, articles and the Professional Expert directory is included.

For Fall 2009, members can now register for the following fee-based courses:
Your Voice is Your Calling Card, course leader Suzann Rye;
Be a Radio Show Superstar, course leader Coach Steve Toth; Get Busy Living, course leader Jimmy Petruzzi; Lose Weight Feel Great, course leader Sara Lou-Ann Jones; Conscious Sexuality, course leaders Victor Gold and Aimee Lyndon-Adams and The Science of Higher Purpose -101., course leader Lily Finch. A wide array of additional Breakthrough Courses and Professional Experts will be featured in the months and years ahead.

Check it out! http://bit.ly/R5FbH

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

How to Become Great

My good friend Danny Pettry, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Indiana University, has been studying people who've achieved success over the last decade during his leisure. He's also worked at providing therapeutic recreation interventions to help people to become self-fulfilled.

Now, he's put together a book of wisdom for people who are seeking to reach their highest potential in life.

Danny Pettry's new book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom" takes you on a wonderful journey to explore what it takes to become greatat anything you set your mind to.

HELP KIDS...
Get your copy of Danny's inspiring book AND and you'll help kids too. A portion of all profits goes to the non-profit First Book. They provide new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy, which is access to books.

Order your own copy of Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom: A Recreational Therapist's System on How You Can Become Great and you'll receive access to over 30 self-improvement articles that you can download as bonus gifts online. Details are inside the book.

Go here: http://www.HiddenSecretWisdom.Com

To your Joy and Success,
Love, S

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Allowing Your Heart and Spirit to Guide You

The other day I came across this blog post from my good friend Lorraine Cohen. I would like to share it with you:


"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- Whoo Hoo-- What a Ride!" Attributed to Bill McKenna, Anonymous and in a Nissan ad.

Two years ago I made a deliberate decision to listen more closely to what my heart was encouraging me to do. Over the years, listening to and following my instincts has been a muscle that has become stronger and easier to recognize. It takes practice and testing the results to deepen that trust. Each time I have felt a strong pull to do something that "just felt so right" and taken an action to move in the direction of what is calling me forward, things have really flowed in my business and personal life.

Some people call it listening to their inner guidance or spirit, hearing God, following their gut, and trusting their "knowing". When I really listen and trust, the answer comes with such peacefulness. I find myself saying, "I just know what I know. It feels right." There's no confusion or internal conflict. It's easy.

Combining instinct, intuition, and skills with strategy produces amazing results called FLOW!

How often do you override your instincts because you are afraid to trust yourself? Any regrets?

How often do you listen to your heart's calling even when it makes no logical sense?

How often do you allow the opinions of others to sway you from what feels right for you?

It takes time to develop this muscle! I recommend the practice of being present. Notice what you are thinking and feeling, mentally, emotionally, physically. Your body has an amazing intelligence and is communicating all the time- when you're feeling stressed, when rest or food is needed, and when something feels right or wrong. The key is slowing down and stopping long enough to be still and quiet so you can hear!

If your business or life isn't going the way you want, paying attention to the ways you’re in conflict with yourself is a good place to begin making some changes. Weariness and stress heightens confusion and negative self-talk which makes it harder to hear over all that mental noise! Commit to practices and experiences that invite self-reflection so that you can move with the flow rather than against it.

Look for opportunities to test what you feel guided to do. While the outcome you expect or desire might be different initially, be open to see the gifts the experience brings that might ultimately bring you what you really want.

It's a journey that is well worth the ride!

**************************************************************************

Copyright © 2009. Lorraine Cohen.


Join Lorraine Cohen and co-host Anita Pathik Law for two powerfull Free teleseminars with their illustrious panel to discuss having, "The Courage To Live Your Destiny". I'll be there too.

Calls take place on Tuesday and Thursday, 8/11 & 8/13. 7-8:30 pm EST/4-5:30 pm PST. Register for the private number and download: http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=3183926


Friday, August 7, 2009

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Aligning with Destiny Video


My wonderful friends and colleauges Anita Pathik law and Lorraine Cohen have made this beautiful video to let you know about their powerful up-coming program, Aligning with Destiny. Check it out and be filled with Joy and Inspiration!



PS. As usual there will be preview calls and I'm the panel on August 13 - come join us!