10 Lessons We’ve Learned From Oprah - Page 2

How dare Oprah leave us while there is a major lack of substance in the media?

Recently, America’s favorite talk show host, media personality, and philanthropist began the farewell season of her long running talk show “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Pleasantly invading homes since 1986, Oprah has filled us with just enough information to keep our minds thinking and a sufficient amount of advice personally, financially, and emotionally to ‘live our best life.’ So while it saddens me that she’s leaving prime-time television, I’m sure it fails in comparison to the faithful stay-at-home moms who are dreadfully pondering what they’re going to do with their lives between 4 and 5 pm EST.

With 42 million weekly viewers in 145 countries, Oprah’s exit from prime-time television will surely affect a plethora of people from various backgrounds. Besides giving away designer wedding gowns, cars, and extravagant vacations, Oprah has showered us with enough lessons to apply in our own lives. Here are 10 lessons that we’ve learned from O.

De-Clutter Your Life– Clean up your messes.  Any mess: it could be in your house (and Oprah has plenty of resources for organizing and simplifying.)  It could be your emotions.  It could be your everyday schedule.  De-clutter to create space for opportunity, creativity, and a sense of well-being.  De-cluttering can help you get rid of the energy drains and chaos.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back- Oprah is quoted as saying, ‘The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free.’ With this being said, Oprah is a prime example of someone who came from very humble beginnings but didn’t let an inferior complex or fear prohibit her from dreaming big.

Enjoy Your Life Now- Live in the now, with an eye to the future.

Know & Be True To Thyself– Oprah has always been Oprah. She’s been open in her flaws and struggles and seems to understand who she is. The media mogul, constantly emphasizes the importance of understanding who you are and living your life on your own terms.

Focus on the Good- As Oprah says “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” What you focus on expands.  If you focus on the good, you will get more of it.  If you focus on lack and poverty, you will get more of that as well.  Learn to recognize the good in your life and be grateful for it every day. Soon your focus will change and so will your life.

Distinguish the Difference Between Opportunity & Distractions- Lots of offers to expand or experiment may come your way. Some of them will be worthwhile but it’s also important to know your capacity, your mission and vision and what it takes each day to deliver on that promise. So recognize that you can turn down offers and even upset some people to stay true to your mission. Oprah didn’t become the media giant she is by ignoring either.

Surround Yourself With Talented People and Give Them Plenty of Support – Oprah’s people are curiously semi-famous because she publicly acknowledges their talent and they in return give dedicated support to her and the brand. Nonprofits often are reluctant to acknowledge their professional talent and their successes because they are concerned such actions might steal some of the spotlight from their major donors. Take a lesson from Oprah and recognize those stars on your staff team who keep your brand strong.

Give Back – Oprah is known for her philanthropic deeds. From her work with girls in South Africa to showering her show guests with gifts, giving back is almost synonymous with brand Oprah.

Entertain Yourself and Those Around You – Make involvement fun, exciting, participatory, unexpected, joyful and spiritually – enriching. Oprah’s audience of 42 million weekly viewers in 145 countries tunes in are entertained – figure out how to inform, engage, create meaning and a joyful experience for your audience.