I fell asleep with the TV on last night and woke up this morning to a frightening image: Richard Simmons on the Today Show. While not really the first thing I want to see in the AM, I had a mini-epiphany. Richard Simmons, born Milton Teagle Simmons, is THE MAN! In a world where the media builds people up, only to tear them down, Richard has stood the test of time, all while performing an amazing feat – helping Americans lose close to 3,000,000 pounds.
Aside from trying to make work a better place, I believe that readers of this blog are hungry to achieve a certain level of success. Let’s see what Mr. Simmons can teach us.
Humble Beginnings. Born in New Orleans, RS’s first job was selling pralines, fattening confections made from nuts and sugar syrup. Needless to say he might have been the best customer. He turned things around and eventually lost 123lb. Boys and girls, that’s motivation.
Height Is Irrelevant. The average height of a Fortune 500 CEO might be six feet tall but at 5′ 6" Richard has debunked the theory that only tall people can be wildly successful. Only 3% of CEOs are below 5’7" – and I’m sure they all look up – I mean down – to RS.
Creative Chances. RS is always made fun of for his flamboyant nature, but there’s no denying that the man is not scared to take creative risks. His first exercise studio was called The Anatomy Asylum and featured a salad bar. It’s this uniqueness that helped put him on the map.
Consistency Is King. Madonna always gets credit for evolving with the times. However, there’s something to be said for people who never change. You can Google images from the past three decades and in everyone, RS looks the same. Pushing 60, that’s an impressive feat.
Look Different. So shorty shorts and tank tops encrusted in Swarovski crystals might be a bit much. But hey, it’s a look! Marketing 101 told Larry King to sport the suspenders, The Donald to never re-style his hair and Gene Shalit to let that mustache take over his face. What’s your gimmick?
Laugh at Yourself. A little self-depreciation goes a long way. people who take themselves to seriously rarely rise to the top of the ladder. RS has had Howard Stern mock him and David Letterman almost light him on fire, nut that hasn’t stopped him from appearing on their shows. Sure it’s good promotion, but a true champion always comes back for more. (in my opinion, this is the funniest Simmons clip on the Web.)
High Energy, Always. A self-proclaimed morning person, Richard Simmons practices what he preaches. While sometimes initially scary, his morning television appearances are infectious. No Red Bull and no BS. That’s just Richard being Richard. And it rubs off.
Count Your Blessings. We don’t preach religion on the Jobacle blog but I do believe that believing in something – anything – can help you keep things in perspective. Did you know that for some time RS studied to be a priest?
Now it’s your turn! Share your observations on Richard Simmons and how he can help anyone’s career.
“I might as well be gay. And not just because I love rhinestones and Barbara Streisand. But because I’m a sensitive person who is supportive of gay people the same way I’m sensitive to grossly obese people and ugly people.” – Richard Simmons
P.S. – I can’t believe I just blogged about Richard Simmons.
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