Season Nine

This is my first season of watching American Idol. The prior eight seasons have gone by without me because I thought that there would be nothing that I could learn from this particular reality show.

I was wrong.

There are life lessons in everything. And sometimes the biggest life lessons are found in the least expected places. Like while watching Crystal Bowersox. Here are the 12 Life Lessons I’ve learned, so far, from watching Crystal Bowersox on Season 9 on American Idol:

1. Figure out who you are as an artist.

2. Experience and practice really matter.

3. Be true to who you are. Don’t try to be someone else. Discover where your gifts and talents lie.

4. Put your own twist on things.

5. Be honest. Let the emotion come from the heart. Express yourself in the most truthful way that you can.

6. Choose your platform carefully. (Are you a fiction writer, nonfiction, poet, playwright, singer, painter, dancer? Don’t try to be all of them. Choose one thing to focus on and do it well.)

7. Hone your story. Know what makes you unique, different, remarkable and talk about that.

8. Avoid self-indulgence. Focus on what you have to give. Not on what you want to get.

9. Connect with your audience in big and small ways.

10. Have fun. A person who truly enjoys what they do is very attractive.

11. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

12. Be remarkable.

So what do you think? Are there other life lessons that can be learned from watching American Idol? I’d love to hear from you.

P.S. I am an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. Check out my books here.

P.P.S. update 12/2014. I actually haven’t watched American Idol since, but still love Crystal Bowersox. Season 9 was the only season I watched. You?