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He said so, as quoted in the New York Times, when recently interviewed by Oprah at a benefit event held at Lincoln Center last week.
Why do I love reading those words? It makes me feel connected to greatness. It makes me feel normal for having the same feelings. It makes the whole world of entrepreneurship a little bit cozier having the elite stars own up to the fearsomeness of the process we indulge in every day.
Anyone else out there feeling scared today? You are not alone. Ralph Lauren feels that way too.
When I was little, the paper dolls and trading cards I played with were all ballerinas and princesses. It surely looked like everything was perfect in their pristine, prettily-dressed lives. And, given that this was the 50′s, there was little else to aspire to.
Now a full-grown woman and business owner, I had the opportunity to see a princess’s life played out on national television last week. Sarah Ferguson appeared on Oprah to discuss the recent sting operation that put her back in the headlines. I found it terribly sad, but also riveting, that someone who ‘had it all’ could fall so far from that idyllic lifestyle. I had also watched a taped episode (also on Oprah) involving child bride’s of a religious fanatic who all lived on a compound in Arkansas. What these two shows had in common were women who had been sorely deprived of reality. One captive of the religious community, upon leaving, asked, “How do you know which side of the road to drive on?” Similarly, Fergie seems equally baffled by how money works.
After watching these shows I made a gratitude list thanking my lucky stars that I am not a princess and have had to slog it out in the real world and learn the lessons that help us stay out of sting operations. Here’s what I came up with:
- I’m grateful that although I am ‘out there’ in the public eye, I am not that famous.
- I am debt-free.
- I trust my instincts and act on that intuition. Sarah said she knew the offer was from a journalist and didn’t honor her gut feeling.
- I know exactly where I stand financially–what the balances are in each of my accounts.
- I live within my means.
It must have been super-cool to live in Buckingham Palace and be married to a prince, but I’m feeling very fortunate today that my life is uncomplicated and I have everything I need.
I’m not a big fan club person, but Oprah holds a particular fascination for me–the empire she’s created, the people she has around her and the message she expounds. So, I plunked down $377 to attend the Live Your Best Life weekend in New York City in anticipation of seeing up-close-and-personal the likes of Oprah, Gayle, Dr. Oz, Martha Beck, etc.
I was not disappointed.
Here is Oprah herself kicking off the event Saturday morning at Jacob Javits Convention Center. There were thousands of women and a sprinkling of men in attendance. At this morning opener, Oprah introduced Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame to set the tone for the day, which she did. My favorite story of Elizabeth’s was about how we are each running life in our own mazes. We peek over the walls of ours to look at each others’ mazes to get clues for our own journey. That, she said, explains the popularity of memoirs (like hers) and also of the Oprah show. We’re all looking for how to do it better or differently. She was wonderful.
The big event was Saturday night at Radio City Music Hall where Oprah captivated us thousands assembled with a monologue of her history, illustrated on a large screen behind her as she spoke. She’s extraordinary. The firsts she’s accomplished, the hurdles she leapt, the people she’s met–totally incredible, enviable and fabulous. (BTW, before the program began it was announced that our presence in the Music Hall gave her production company the usage of our images, voices, etc. throughout the universe in perpetuity. And I feel like I’m intruding when I ask someone to sign a contract for a 6-month coaching commitment!)
My purpose in going this past weekend was mostly to observe the masters at work, which I did. These people are at the top of the field nationally and internationally. I learn so much from watching–the professionalism, stature and grace it takes to stand and speak in front of thousands, how large a village it takes to pull off an event like this, how much discomfort they are willing to put an audience through (i.e. waiting 1 hour and 15 minutes in the cold for the walk to begin) and what sponsors are willing to do if you can reach such a vast market.
I’m also very grateful to be back in my comfortable environment, familiar schedule and among the people I’ve chosen to be in my world.
I’ve been staring at two vision boards that hang on the inside of my closet door daily for several years now. The very first one I ever created, before these two, came to fruition within a short time. I made it by cutting and pasting images of the places, people and things I wanted in my life. I visited Japan, renovated our master bath, created a forum for high-level artistic women, entertained good friends and emulated Julie Morgenstern.
These two newer boards are taking longer to manifest. I’ve been gazing at yoginis in impossible postures, lap pools and exotic locales. And Oprah. I realized just how long I’d had these boards in my closet when Oprah’s picture fell off. The glue which had been holding her attached to my vision had dried up. I lovingly placed her image in my jewelry box so I could continue to envision having her in my life. I’m still not sure what I’m looking for–hence the vision board–I just know it includes Oprah in some form.
The reason I’m writing about this is that I believe it’s important to know what you want and to place your ad with the Universe. Clients recently have told me what they don’t want: aggravating clients, too little income, work that bores them. Among other recommendations I always suggest a vision statement or board so that they will become crystal clear and focus on what they do want.
