Donny Osmond and Self Development: The Surprising Connection with Entrepreneurs
Read More: Donny Osmond has surprised me and won my respect of late. Throughout his long career, he has been an example of continual work in self development. He has even been known to give talks around the concept of believing in yourself.
I can't say what led me to study Donny Osmond's life and career. It started when I left my television on while I was working and caught a glimpse of him on Dancing with the Stars. This is not a program I usually watch, but Osmond caught my attention.
I think I was impressed by the risk he was taking. Even though he is an entertainer, ballroom dance seemed to be way out of his comfort zone.
Turns out he's had to do a lot of things outside his comfort zone.
- Imagine being a singer and after an injury being told you might never sing again.
- Imagine your past success becoming the biggest obstacle to future success.
- Imagine living in a world where your beliefs and values were considered fodder for other people's amusement.
- Imagine having a trusting nature, only to be duped and cheated.
- Imagine being a performer in the grips of an anxiety disorder known as "social phobia."
If you are Donny Osmond, you get hold of yourself and go after your dreams anyway. And that's what I see as the heart of what he has to offer entrepreneurs like ourselves.
Donny Osmond and Entrepreneurs
I started to see a lot of connections between Donny Osmond's career and what I and a lot of the entrepreneurs I know have gone through.
- We make sacrifices when it comes to our families even though our families are frequently our number one motivation.
- We have to make choices to build our businesses so that we are in alignment with our own personal values. Not easy for any of us, but particularly difficult in the show business arena
- We suffer self doubt - even when things are going well. Osmond went through a period of suffering from an anxiety disorder which made its full blown appearance just when he was having tremendous success in the long running show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
- We hit roadblocks - some of them seemingly insurmountable. Those of us that succeed are the ones that keep trying no matter what. For some reason, public figures are regarded as fair game for ridicule and gossip. Donald Trump and his hairstyle, for example. Even when you're on top, it takes a certain amount of guts to keep going.
- We have to take risks. We put ourselves out there on the internet and do the best that we can to give our audience what they want and need. We are in the public eye, albeit most of us are not dogged by reporters every step of the way.
- We know the importance of self development - we are constantly working to improve ourselves as leaders, as marketers, and as human beings who make a difference in the lives of others.
I've been struck by the value that someone with Donny Osmond's life experience could bring to our community. And our community has a lot of power to help him get his message across to even more people.
I am working to interview him and ideally to get him to present his self development talk on believing in yourself either on tape, or preferably live.
So I'd like to test just how powerful our little community can be.
I'm asking that you post to Donny Osmond's twitter account at http://twitter.com/donnyosmond and express your interest in this interview. Mention @bsilva in your message.
Because we want to give value back, you might also consider voting for him and his partner, Kym, on Dancing with the Stars via the phone number provided or through his website. The info is posted right there on his twitter profile.
As a coach at Coaching Cognition, I find myself helping with people to overcome the odds, suffer and bounce back, and still work to help other people. In our own quest for ongoing self development, Donny Osmond just might have something to teach us.
Let your lights shine!
Views: 1,188
| 
Comments: 17 
About the Author: Barbara Silva
Member Since: 06/02/2008
Company: Coaching Cognition
Industry: Coach
Primary Web Site: http://www.how-to-market-guide.com
Here We Come, Donny!
Let's see how the Law of Attraction can once again make something happen. Having someone, like Donny, at our Live Event in Portland would be icing on the cake.
I will be posting to Donny on his Facebook and Twitter sites. I look forward to testing this theory out by getting those here at Betternetworker to help out!
Donny Osmond...I didn't know
I had no idea that Donny Osmond has had such challenges in his life. I think we tend to assume that stars and entertainers like Donny are somehow immune to life's trials and tribulations us more ordinary folk have.
I think it would be wonderful if he could come to our Live Event and speak to us from his heart and share his message on Self-Development.No matter where we are in life we can always learn more from others.
I'm with you guys..lets put the Law of Attraction to good use!
Who Knew?
Wow, I sure hope you/we can pull this interview off Barbara. It will be a HUGE eye opener for folks. All too often we think that because someone is Famous or seems to be "On Top" they are living on Easy Street. Who knew Donny Osmond had such challenges to overcome. I tip my hat to him for keeping going.
It just goes to show you it's those that keep moving forward, no matter what, who succeed.
ShellyB
TheRatRaceRebel
Donny Osmond Fan
I have been A D.O fan since my early teens and have been following him around, so to speak since then. He is an amazing man, not just an entertainer but a husband, father and grandfather. Critics have never given him a break simply because he is and always has been a straight guy, unlike so many of those critics. By the way, the rest of the Osmonds brothers and sister should be checked out as well for inspiration, not to mention their own contribution to the entertainment and business through their own personal challenges.
Great idea.
Wow. I had no idea of his background and would sure love hearing from him. And I'm watching (and impressed with) your process for making it happen. You are incredible. thanks, Barbara.
Inspiring
I second what Shelly said about Donny Osmond, who knew? Being a celebrity doesn't make a person immune from struggles and sometimes those challenges are magnified because as a celebrity, that person is in the spotlight. It's tough to hide something when there's always a camera in your face.
Whenever life throws any of us a curve ball we each have a choice. Either deal with it or quit. Donny chose to overcome and didn't quit, neither should we. Thanks for the insight Barbara.
Sonrisas,
Beth
Law Of Attraction
Barbara,
This is a great way to put the Law of Attraction into full swing. I would love to spread the word about Donny Osmonds on the circuit(social media).
And see how we can all come together to spread the news. The interview that you will have with Donny Osmonds will be great.
I know it will be a success, Barbara..
Thanks Barbara,
Donna Wells
Keep On Pushing
I had no idea Donny Osmond did inspiration speeches, when it comes to entertainers and athletes for that matter you can always find someone who has over come the odds and dealt with a life changing experience.
I think this is a great idea Barbara, everyone loves to hear about a great success story because it inspires us all to get back up after being knocked down.
Marie too
Both Donnie and Marie have faced challenges that most of us would choose not face. I have admired them both for years. When I learned that Donnie has a fear of crowds and performing I realized that if he could do it then I suppose that I could get up in front of a small group and present something, and it would not kill me. I would be thrilled to meet him in person - he really has been a great influence on me.
I Didn't Realize Either
I admired Donny and Marie for years but never realize the problems they had to over come. Especially Donny. It will be great to hear this interview, and Donny story.
Great idea and inspriational.
We forget the celebrities have the hardest road to walk at times, and many have overcome huge obstacles to get where they are today.
Can't Wait...
Many times we only see the superficial image of a person, especially if they are “famous”. Later we hear about all the trials and tribulations that they have gone through. Famous or not, it is always inspiring to see someone come out on top. Hope you get the interview!!
Choices, we All Have to Face Them
It is inspiring to know that when we all meet with hardship, disappointment, opposition we have the power to make a choice.
Donny obviously has dug deep in different seasons to make incredible choices to refocus, rebuild from within, staying true to his internal values.
I know Barbara,Donny and you will have a great interview that will influence many.
Inspiration
Your article is inspiring for several reasons.
Certainly Donny is an inspiration to anyone that is facing challenges or needs to step outside their comfort zone. So often, phenomenal success is just outside our own comfort zone, not worlds away as we imagine it to be.
Also, you're goal-setting and leadership is an inspiration. Just putting a goal of getting a well-known performer to grant you an interview is setting the bar pretty high. Encouraging an entire community (or several community) to get behind it is the right idea.
Good Luck! I support your efforts.
The Ablility to Overcome
I really did not know much other than the quick appearances here and there my whole life it seems. He has done so much to overcome a number of things that would have stopped many in their tracks for good.
I would be very interested in hearing it from his prospective and will be happy to help you Barbara with your Twitter campaign. I look forward to the interview and lesson I know I personally gain from it.
You're So Right, Barbara
Hi Barbara,
You're so right about entrepreneurs taking risks which of course means risking more than just "failure." It can mean rejection of our own core values and what we believe to be critical to any one's success.
Like Donny Osmond who probably faces that risk all the time, we have to constantly work toward building "our businesses so that we are in alignment with our own personal values. Not easy for any of us.." as you said so well.
But if we do not stay in line with what we believe, the risk of personal "failure" is high and a lot worse than just "failing" in an aspect of our professional lives.
Either way, we all "fail" many times and that's how we grow. All the big hitters in baseball strike out waaay more times than they hit a home run, right?
So when we as networkers and entrepreneurs risk "failure" in our home-run businesses by staying true to our core values, we will have great home-run success stories!
Keep On, Keeping On
Hi Barbara,
I did not know this about Donny. That's amazing!! I don't like to speak in front of a crowd, even if it's only a handful of people. I tip my hat to Donny for keeping on even during that incredibly difficult time. What in inspiration!
It's hard to remember that to be successful requires failure. Seem contradictory. But, like I heard growing up, riding a horse, you have to fall off and get back on to know true success. It's the getting back on that many people choose to not do. When we don't, we give up. Giving up is the only way to true failure. Never give up, keep on keeping on.
Thanks
If Anybody Can Do it...
Barbara,
I know you can pull this off. I've always been a fan of Donny and how he lives his life. I've tweeted him and hope it happens.
I know he has so much to share with us and he sets such an example.