Live Better with Willie Jolley: Vogue Like Madonna
Vogue Like Madonna
By Willie Jolley
There was a song I heard in a recent spinning class by Madonna called “Vogue.” I don’t know how to “Vogue,” but I do know that I learned something about success from Madonna.
In February, I was in Indianapolis, IN for three days, working with a company named Defender Direct (who, by the way, is a GREAT company). And while there, I volunteered to speak for a couple of schools that Defender Direct supports. Carey Limousine was my car service and my driver’s name was Darryl. He just happened to be the driver for Madonna when she was in Indianapolis for her Super Bowl XLVI performance! Darryl told me he chauffeured Madonna and her three round-the-clock bodyguards for four days. What he learned was a powerful life lesson!
“She was nothing like I thought,” he said. “She was very polite, quiet and professional. But, boy did she work hard! She practiced for at least seven hours, from the moment she arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday to Saturday evening. She practiced each day at the stadium late into the night; and wanted to practice more, but there was a city ordinance that said sound and lights had to cease after a certain time. She practiced and practiced, even though she had pulled her hamstring!”
On Sunday at halftime, Madonna dazzled football fans and more than 100 million television viewers alike when she performed during a glittery, spectacular Super Bowl halftime show. She was the first female Super Bowl halftime headliner since the Janet Jackson’s "wardrobe malfunction" of 2004.
Madonna’s performance was much anticipated; and we were not let down! Her super work ethic ensured that! The lesson that we can take from Madonna is this...you must continue to work hard and not rest on your laurels. Those who succeed and continue to succeed do so because they are willing to WORK HARD ALL THE TIME!
When it comes time for us to deliver, will we say we’ve been so diligent, worked so hard that we could not fail? If not, let’s follow Madonna’s work example. And be mindful that the old saying is true…“the only place where success comes before (hard) work, is in the dictionary!”
Let’s VOGUE… and WORK HARD, like Madonna!
