Since local channels started airing American Idol many seasons ago, I tried my best not to miss a single episode. To say that I religiously follow the show is an understatement. I sometimes find myself leaving things in a heartbeat just to root for my favorite contestant and see him go through the next round.

Perhaps it’s the frustrated singer in me that likes this reality show very much. Having joined several singing contests in the past, I can totally relate to what the contestants feel minutes before their performance. I also like seeing dreams realized and immortalized on TV. And, I must confess, American Idol is the only show that makes me cry.

Apart from the glitz and entertainment that is American Idol, there are some lessons from the show that we can apply to our day-to-day life:

1. Be an underdog, but do not overdo it

Admit it: underdogs are adorable. We are passionate about cheering for the underdog (think Syesha Mercado and Elliott Yamin) and when our voices are hoarse from too much “coaching,” our underdog is certainly not an underdog any longer because the rest of America– and perhaps the world– have decided to cheer him on, as we have.

Lesson: It is okay to be imperfect or not so popular at first because the world always looks for fortitude and resilience in addition to raw talent. However, overdoing it is a no-no. Nothing looks more miserable than one who is trying too hard to look and act like an underdog. [Read more...]

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