Believe In Yourself And Become a Winner: Lessons from Hollywood

Copyright 2004 Priya Shah

A while ago I made it a point to watch the movie "Legally Blonde."

Not just for the bright, chirpy and eminently watchable Reese Witherspoon, but also because I loved the message it sent out.

If you didn't see the movie, all you need to know is that it's about a smart, fashion-conscious blonde who's told time and again, by her family and friends, that it'simpossible for someone like her to go to Harvard law school.

That she's just not smart enough and doesn't have what it takes.

In the movie, the character played by Witherspoon not only goes to Harvard law, but also through sheer determination and intuition, graduates at the top of her class.

Its just the sort of movie people love. Because it makes us believe that we too are capable of achieving anything we want to.

It reminds us how we often let ourselves, and others, underestimate our own potential.

And how we undermine our own sense of self, because of what we look like or where we came from.

But why just let it remain a movie, when it can be the story of your life...

Have you ever asked yourself what it is that keeps you from reaching your full potential?

From doing what you are inherently capable of?

For many of us, it's a lack of belief in ourselves. A lack of confidence in our own ability to succeed.

And because we believe we will fail, we usually do.

But there are people who have succeeded beyond all expectation - no matter what they look like, or where they come from.

One of my favourite role models who comes to mind is another Hollywood celebrity, Barbra Streisand.

Indeed, one of my favourite films of all time is her movie, "Yentl," about a courageous, intelligent woman trying to fulfill her capabilities, in the face of overwhelming odds.

"Yentl" was also the movie in which Streisand became the first woman ever to produce, direct, write and star in a major motion picture.

Streisand carved her own path, and broke the mould.

She showed how a woman with unconventional looks can make it in a field where beauty is more important than brains.

So, if you believe that you are less than someone, because of your lack of education, looks, talent, background or ability, take courage from her achievements.

They are an inspiration not only for women, but for everyone.

Because all it take is a belief. The belief that you can do what it takes.

Don't wait for someone else to give you an opportunity to prove yourself. Stop depending on others for handouts.

Don't wait for the right opportunity to fall in your lap. Because it never will.

All you need to carve your own path, is the confidence and the belief that you can succeed at anything you set out to do, no matter what the odds.

So start today. Choose a mentor.

Learn from the masters. Re-invent yourself.

Create your own opportunities and forge your own future.

Your belief in yourself, coupled with the courage to see it through, is what will carry you from a life of mediocrity and under-achievement, into a world where you can be the winner you aspire to be.

Priya Shah is the editor of the newsletters Be a Whiz at eBiz!  and The Glutathione Report  She shows you how to truly build multiple sources of income online with the Brilliant Team Home Business Opportunity

The Atlantic

'Hysteria' Turns the Vibrator Into Inspirational Cinema The Atlantic Wexler and screenwriters Stephen Dyer and Jonah Lisa Dyer mainstream things without sanitizing them, reconstituting taboo fodder as the stuff of inspirational cinema. Wexler uses the lighthearted baseline to get at a deeper and more substantial look at ... and more »

USA TODAY

Review: 'The Intouchables' is the Genuinely Inspirational Story of an Unlikely ... Film School Rejects Still, the formula for success here, perfected by co-directors/writers Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, is clear: Find characters worth caring about, cast actors who are adept at making you feel for them and surround the stars with an inspirational ... "The Intouchables" goes down easy but leaves strange tasteOrlando Sentinel 'Intouchables' is a real crowd-pleaserPress of Atlantic City all 124 news articles »

Indie Picks: Inspirational First Position Opens at Violet Crown Austinist There has been some criticism of Kargman for not being transparent enough about the involvement of one of the Grand Prix's founders in shaping the film's story, but if you're looking for a heartwarming and inspirational trip to the movies this weekend, ... and more »

School's inspirational banner teaches a life lesson Vancouver Sun But for Vancouver swimmer Scott Dickens, those words, in big red and white letters on a banner at the back of a school gymnasium in his hometown of Ancaster, Ont., four years ago became life altering and a huge inspiration. "Three words that definitely ... and more »

Bulldogs win 'inspirational' sectional golf crown The Livingston County News Members of the Livonia golf team proudly show their sectional championship patches along with the Class B trophy they captured May 24 at Bath Country Club. The team is coached by Mike Cronmiller Jr. (far left). By Chris Metcalf on May 25, ... and more »

Wound Care Publication to be Distributed Within USA Today Highlights ... MarketWatch (press release) JR Martinez, whose resume includes burn survivor, motivational speaker, Dancing With the Stars alum, Army Veteran, and actor, graces the publication's cover, while his inspirational story of experiencing a devastating wound, surviving to tell his story ... and more »

Inspirational Network's David Cerullo is highest-paid nonprofit exec Bizjournals.com (blog) David Cerullo, president and chief executive of The Inspirational Network Inc., tops the list, with $1.9 million in compensation. Marc Favaro and Bill Airy, also executives at the Lancaster County based-network, hold the second and third spots on the ...

US: Arab uprisings 'inspirational' but destabilizing for Mideast CNN The report itself says: "The yearning for change we have witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria is inspirational, and yet change often creates instability before it leads to greater respect for democracy and human rights.

Catskill Daily Mail

Dennis Walters Provides The Inspiration To Follow Your Dreams Catskill Daily Mail However, what could be certainly considered the highlight of the show despite the entertaining golf antics is the inspirational message woven into the show. “Once I started golfing again, I took to the road and for me, it was good therapy,” Walters ...

Inspirational Journey for female engineers at Atkins The Engineer Atkins has joined An Inspirational Journey, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of women working at the senior corporate level in Britain's boardrooms. Atkins said in a statement that it has signed up a team of women that have been identified ...