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Winning is the goal for most
people. But what do you do after
winning? Do you dream about how your victory
speech will sound? Or how your own
victorious moments will be like?
And if you thought life after
winning is going to be fine and dandy, think again. With Hollywood churning out "winners" with
every new season of reality television, staying
a winner is definitely an uphill task. Don't
forget, it may be easy to neglect friends and family in the heat of your
popularity.
Here are
some things to avoid if you want to keep your dignity, success and friends
after you've won.
1. Go
Berserk
You've
won! Go crazy! Ok... not that
crazy.
In
short, winning doesn't entitle one to jump up and down on the couch on national
television. No matter how happy you are,
a bit of restraint never hurt. I am
always amazed at how people can go crazy after winning cars on talk shows - how
does anyone have that much energy anyway?
Then again this may just be me being a wet blanket, I probably will go berserk if I win a car.
2. Look
like you were expecting it
Looking
slightly surprised is a tried and tested strategy. It makes you seem humble, even if you think you totally deserve to win. However, note that you should look slightly surprised, and not
overly surprised (refer to next point).
3. Look
bewildered
The key
example that comes to mind is when Hardy Mirza was announced as the first Asian
Idol. Having the champion looking too
shocked on stage makes viewers feel more stunned than they already are. Here's where a bit of an ego may do you some
good.
4. Sound
like you've prepared your speech
Sure,
you don't want to end up having verbal diarrhoea and have (not so) subtle music
force you to end your acceptance speech.
However, such speeches sound the best when they are delivered naturally
and preferably, without a piece of paper in front of you. Ironically, giving a seemingly impromptu
speech may take even more preparation.
5. Go
MIA
Ever
wondered what happened to Ruben Studdard of American Idol fame? We are still aware of runner-up Clay Aiken's
existence, never mind that it has nothing to do with his music, but Ruben has
practically faded into oblivion since his first album. His latest album in 2006, ironically titled The Return, barely announced his
arrival.
So
what valuable Hollywood lesson can we learn here? Don't let the runner-up take the lead or, in
this case, beat you to the tabloids.
Staying under the radar is only a good thing if one doesn't mind sinking
back into the depths of obscurity - which defeats the purpose of winning in the
first place.
6. Try
joining the same competition
This
applies more for talent competitions.
Not that I've seen anything like it, but Kelly Clarkson joining American
Idol again is pretty ridiculous.
7. Harp
on it
This
is pretty obvious - no one likes a winner who constantly harps on previous
laurels. Your friends are happy for you,
but they don't need to be introduced to every medal in your trophy cabinet.
Twenty times.
8. Sell-out
Do
not try to cash out on your popularity by taking any and every job that comes
your way! Entertainment Weekly mentions
Cuba Gooding Jr. as a celebrity who "bum-rushed his star moment". After winning Best Supporting Actor in 1997
for Jerry Maguire, "he probably didn't see his future alongside
sunglasses-sporting dogs" (referring to the movie Snow Dogs (2002)). The term ‘sell-out'
is pretty subjective, but if circumstances (and finances) allow, and least be
true to yourself and your supporters.
9. Be
complacent
Perhaps
we can take a leaf out of Michael Phelp's book here. Look where his training (according to the
BBC, during peak training periods, he swims 80,000m a week) and determination
got him at the Beijing Olympics even after 6 golds in Athens in 2004. Granted, this discounts the fact that he has
superhuman talent, but you get the drift.
10. Forget
the people who love you
One
wonders how many celebrities really mean what they say in their thank you
speeches. As clichéd as it may sound, happiness
is doubled when shared. Whether you've
won with hard work or sheer luck, your friends (the real ones) will definitely
appreciate you not forgetting them!
Images
courtesy of http://www.cartoonstock.com
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