Reality TV, Dreaming Big and the Attitude of a Winner

reality-tv

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 – Katee & Will posted on flickr.com

by: Grayson Leverenz

Americans love reality television. MTV started the trend with The Real World back in the 1990’s, and we watched, fascinated, as people just like us became stars. Today, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor enjoy some of the highest viewer ratings on television. Reality television produced an entire generation that believes they can be famous. If they show off their talent to just the right person at just the right time, fame is attainable.

The idea speaks volumes to the practice of setting goals. Honestly, there are few goals bigger than “I’m going to be famous,” although “I’m going to get into a top 10 MBA program” is a pretty big one, too.

I watch So You Think You Can Dance faithfully because the contestants inspire me. They dream big and they work hard to make their dreams come true. Not only that, they smile while they’re doing it. Their feet bleed; they overload their brains with new choreography, and they keep smiling. That’s what makes these kids winners.

A clear difference exists between contestants in the first rounds of competition and in the latter rounds, and it’s more about attitude than sheer ability. People go far when they have a good attitude and can “take a note.” In other words, they open themselves to feedback about their performance, incorporate the lessons, and come back stronger than they were before.

The same applies to business and business school. Dream big. Work hard. Smile. Take a note. And you’ll emerge a winner.