Micheal Burt, former champion college basketball coach, and an author of six books on motivation and harnessing your potential used Natalie as an example in a blog about achieving success and stardom. Evidently Micheal was at one of our recent Panama City Shows and enjoyed himself enough to write about it.
It’s well written with a lot of great advice… Great for anyone needing a little motivation today.
Thank you Coach for the kind words! Everyone can use a good halftime speech every once in a while.
You can check it out here or find the text below:
http://coachburt.com/index.php/the-coaching-revolution
The Evolution of a Star
Saturday, 31 March 2012
From “Baby Acts to Big Acts”
By Coach Micheal Burt
This past week a friend and mentor of mine referred to me as a “baby act” on my way to becoming a “big act.” All big stars begin as little “baby stars” and it got me thinking about how baby acts become big acts.
While in Florida vacationing and eating dinner another “baby act” named Natalie Stovall was singing at Schooners on the beach.
It was obvious to me within minutes that she wouldn’t be a “baby act” for long. She had the talent, the presence, the passion, and the “it factor.” Millions of people dream of the day that they breakthrough to major stardom-some do but many never will. In my latest book Small Towns Big Dreams- Your Destiny has No City Limits I explore some key components of making this leap. If you’re in this boat take heed as any one of these could be the thunderbolt you’ve been looking for to experience the major breakthrough and if you’re out there climbing the ladder like Ms. Stovall, my good friends The Barefoot Renegades, or The Herrick Band, know this; there is no stardom if you give up, pack it in, and stop the pursuit. You could be just one performance away from getting that huge break you’ve been praying for.
Here are seven things you can do to go BIG TIME:
1. Be the real deal. You’ve got to possess both the “steak and the sizzle.” In TX they call it “All Hat and No Cattle” if you’re a pretender vs. the real thing. You can’t fake this. Either you have paid the price or you haven’t. It always shows up if you take short cuts.
2. Know and articulate your differential advantage. Your “free prize” that separates you comes from one place; your unique ability or your past experiences. There’s lots of talent in the world, know what you are better at than anybody in the world and sell that one thing to everybody in a consistent way.
3. A “no limits” mindset. There will be lots of people who line up to tell you you’re not good enough. Use it as the “emotional firepower” to keep on driving. There jealously is none of your business.
4. Intentional manifestation- Luck happens to those who intentionally design their lives. Constantly think of the top 3 things that could produce a breakthrough and do them. Think in terms of what is the ONE BIG thing I have to do for me to move to the next level and do it. Procrastination plays no role in the life of a future star. Urgency rules here.
5. Do two things really well. 1) Become a true person of interest. You do this by having a “point of view” (go to www.nataliestovall.com and look at about her), and be interesting. The opposite of interesting is sameness and this will get you know where. 2) Know how to build “engaged followers.” This happens in one way: Blow people’s minds when they see you live. Spend lots of time focused on your presentation. Make it fun for the audience. Help people come alive and they will be “turned on” to you and what you have to offer. Make your performances “the night of their lives.”
6. Build a team of people who “have your back.” Role definition is critical to this equation. There are stars and role players. When the role players start believing they’re the stars then you’ve got a problem. Everybody has to know their role and play their role. If you’re lousy at managing the ebb and flow of your team bring in an expert who knows how to do this. You be the talent, let them manage the group and somebody always has to manage the group.
7. Know you are a brand. Use as many strategies as you can to build, maintain, and protect your “reputational capital.” Have clear strategies to drive people in your door and control the customer experience from “end to end.” Teach your whole team how to do this as people become “passive” quickly and move on to somebody else if you’re not ringing their bell. You’re either a “nice to have” or a “must have.” Become the “must to have” and your fans and promoters will drive others in your door as well. Leverage their influence by being consistent and fresh vs. inconsistent and boring.
Practice these seven things and you’re on your way to moving from a “baby act” to a “big act.” Your star power will evolve quickly. Best of luck on the journey! I’ll be practicing these seven things right along beside you!
-Coach
More info on this concept can be found in Coach Burt’s book Small Towns Big Dreams (www.smalltownsandbigdreams.com). Coach Burt has a program specifically designed for rising stars called “Coach to the Stars” where he works with super talented people to drive a serious brand, understand group dynamics, and experience a true breakthrough. Go to www.coachburt.com to learn more, or contact Coach at info@coachburt.com.
