—And How You Can Do the Same
Do you remember The Gong Show? If you don’t, it was a quirky talent show from the late ‘70s where contestants performed, hoping not to get “gonged” off the stage. While it was mostly for laughs, it did offer a chance—however small—of being discovered.
At the time, I was in high school, and my community decided to host a local version of the show. The stakes? Performing in front of my peers, facing four judges, and competing for a $75 grand prize.
And guess what? I entered as a singing contestant.
Stepping into Fear: My First Singing Competition
I convinced my sister to play the piano for me and chose an old Andraé Crouch gospel classic, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” It was a song I had performed at my dad’s church on many and my uncle’s church in Ohio, but never on a competitive stage.
I was scheduled to sing during the second half of the show, and the first half was brutal. The judges were merciless, hitting that gong left and right, while the crowd laughed hysterically. To make things worse, I had volunteered my sister to play for a friend—who was an incredible singer—but she barely got two notes out before being cut off. My sister bolted off that stage so fast, we still laugh about it to this day!
Then, it was my turn.
From Mockery to a Standing Ovation
The moment I stepped on stage, I felt the weight of fear pressing down on me. What if they laughed? What if they booed? And sure enough, the audience started with their teasing:
👉 “Amen, Sister!”
👉 Mocking gospel shouts and sarcastic claps.
👉 Unruly whispers and distractions.
I had two choices—let the fear consume me or push through.
So, I sang.
At first, my voice trembled, but I kept going. And something incredible happened—a hush fell over the crowd. The same students who were mocking me minutes earlier were now sitting in silence, eyes fixed on me.
By the end of my performance, the entire room erupted in a standing ovation. Even the judges, who had been ruthless all night, gave me a perfect score. I had just won first place.
And that $75 prize? It turned into a pizza party celebration with my friends! 🍕
What This Experience Taught Me About Confidence & Success
This experience shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined at the time. It taught me:
✅ Fear is temporary, but regret lasts longer. Had I given up, I never would have experienced that exhilarating moment of victory.
✅ The crowd doesn’t define you—your courage does. People may doubt or mock you at first, but when you stay the course, they’ll respect you in the end.
✅ Taking action despite fear builds unshakable confidence. That night, I proved to myself that I was capable, strong, and ready for bigger stages.
Your Fearless Next Step: Turning Fear into Power
What’s something you’ve been afraid to do? Is it starting your own business, launching a blog, or stepping into a leadership role? Just like I did on that stage, you have to step through the fear to reach the confidence on the other side.
If you’re ready to push past self-doubt and build an unstoppable mindset, I highly recommend:
👉 Mindvalley’s “Be Extraordinary” Course – Learn how to rewire your mindset for confidence and success. Recommended Resource
👉 “Atomic Habits” by James Clear – A step-by-step guide to building the habits that will elevate your success. Partnering Resource
👉 Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within – A transformational event designed to break through fear. Recommended Resource
Your success isn’t waiting on the sidelines—it’s waiting on you to take action.
Fear loses its power when you face it head-on. What’s one fear you’re ready to conquer? Drop a comment below and let’s take this journey together! 👇🔥
🔗 Need guidance and tools to stay on track? Explore the SuccessBookClub and unlock the MasterVault for resources designed to help you break through barriers! Explore The Vault💡✨
