By Happy Ron www.happyron.com

October 23, 2010

A year or so ago someone casually suggested that I try out for America’s Got Talent.  The idea seemed overwhelming to me at the time.  It actually made the Happy Man…. UNHAPPY!   Then last week I watched my first episode.  As I watched and imagined myself on it I felt very stressed out, and actually went to bed a little shook up.   By the second time I watched it… Happiness was restored and I started writing down my thoughts.  After 80 hours of watching the show and then going to try out here is what I have learned.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON 1: “Don’t Stop Playin!” even if buzzed or audience boos,you might win them over and judges may still vote yes

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON 2: Stay Happy! Sometimes even acts that aren’t very good get put to the next level because of great energy

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #3: Do what you know and do best.Don’t try to do what you’ve never done before in front of millions of people!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #4: Be unique but good. There are lots of great performers but the ones that different will be remembered.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #5: Don’t argue with the judges/audience (unless you are REALLY sure they are wrong). Poor losers never prosper.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #6 Turn nervousness into excitement: they are actually two sides of the same coin

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #7: Be grateful! Performing is such a honor that so few people get to do, never forget that win or lose.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #8 Breathe, Breathe! If you don’t breath you die!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #9: If the judges disagree, listen to the majority and/or the ones that vote FOR you.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #10: Edit you songs down to less then 90 seconds, go over and you can be disqualified!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #11: They (almost always) applaud at the end. Even if they booed, they almost always show respect at the end.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #12: Look at the audience. Interact with them.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #13: Be real.  People love the seeing something real in a very phony business!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #14: Chose the right song! Or better yet write a great song and perform it. So many acts don’t do either!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #15: Always listen to @howiemmandel he seems to be the happiest, most balance judge, fair and yet FIRM! 🙂

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #16: Know who you are.  Don’t let anyone make you into something you’re not.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #17.  Have a story, one that’s real.  Everyone has a story, the more motivational the better

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSSON #18: If you make a mistake, keep playin.  Poise after problems can be very impressive

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #19: Don’t bad mouth the other contestants.  Doesn’t help and makes you look bad and it just ain’t nice

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #20: Playing it safe is the least safe thing you can do.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #21: Some people will love what you do, other’s won’t.  Focus on those who do and don’t hold grudges against those who don’t.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #22: Be spontaneous (where you can).  The secret to being unpredictable is to never know exactly what you are going to do.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #23: Don’t take your SELF too seriously.  But of course take your craft seriously.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #24: From the moment you get out of your car, you’re on stage.  The judges/public often hear about what goes on behind the scene, so treat people with respect.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #25:  Be BIG. Turn UP, way up, the emotion, the sound, the quality.  Bigger then life is memorable.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #26: Put the time in, WORK WORK (but have fun doing it).  Successful people always put the time it

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #27: Draw strength from the people that have supported your talent in the past, audience, friends and family

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #28:  Read all the FAQs about the audition process and do what they say!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #29:  PLEASE, PLEASE don’t take your shirt off (unless you are hot).

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #30: Audience or no audience for each performance?  Makes a difference so prepare!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #31: Don’t complain about how difficult the signup process is, you were told in advance and nobody wants to hear it.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #32.  Wear a belt and tight clothes.  You’ll be bouncing around and don’t want to reveal anything.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #33.  Arrive early for the tryouts, but expect to be there all day.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #34.  Do not take pictures during the tryouts, you can be disqualified!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LESSON #35.  Consider how much stuff you bring to the tryouts, you’ll have to lug it around a lot!