Introduction

Regardless of where we start, whether it’s rags or riches, we all face the same types of challenges in trying to create lives of purpose, fulfillment, and adventure for ourselves. Toward that end, there are plenty of inspirational teachers and mentors out there who are eager to share their wisdom with you, lift your spirits, and fill you with hope. These experts have produced thousands of self– help books, but unfortunately, one of their most common complaints is the sense that so few who buy their books actually do anything constructive with the information they offer.

In contrast to some of the other books on the shelf, what I give you on these pages has a slightly different perspective. I’ve seen a lot over the past three decades on the front lines of this dream factory called the entertainment business. Behind each story are little clues to the puzzle called success, some very serious and others more lighthearted. But every one of the elements I describe has the power to thrust you forward in the pursuit of your dreams—or stop you dead in your tracks.

Sadly, too many inspirational and self– help books don’t fulfill their purpose because the reader is seldom ready to make the necessary changes to their habits and behaviors. You’ve heard it all over and over again: Get off the sofa and exercise more. Ease up on the beer and junk food. Quit the donuts. Stop smoking. Turn off the TV. Read a book! Yeah, right. And we wonder why today’s generation of young adults will be the first in the last century, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal, who will not live as long or be as wealthy as their parents.

The stories I have to share will show the enormous potential and amazing talent in each and every one of us—and they will point out all the trap doors we often fall into, the intricate and sometimes extremely silly things we do that completely mess things up.

My ultimate goal is to give you a peek through the curtains. Whether you are a big fan of American Idol or a pop ular music lover, or someone with minimal interest in either, I hope these stories will make you stop and notice things that you may have ignored or discounted as inconsequential before.

You’ll see on these pages that there are a great many reasons why 99 percent of us fail at realizing our dreams, or even our “Plan B.” There are also myriad factors that have to come together to make things happen for that 1 percent who succeed. The great news is that most of these elements are within your control. Even better is that you don’t need to be a brain surgeon to understand them.

If I could give a single formula behind any success I’ve experienced, from early childhood to this present moment, including the act of writing this book, it would be:

Always give people more than they expect.

That sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? True, it is a simple thought. Most would agree that it seems like good common sense. What I trust you will realize quickly in the next few pages and chapters is how fascinating and tricky it can be to put this formula into action. You may fi nd that by following this principle you will beat out people with more natural talent than you have. You’ll start to get noticed—and find yourself on the radar. You’ll also have to stay alert in case any of your enemies from within—your own ego and its good friends, arrogance, greed, and complacency—begin to rear their ugly heads.

Let me be honest with you. As music director on American Idol, half of what I do is the art, the skill, and the time I put in. I can freely say that there are thousands of people who are capable of doing what I do: providing the arrangements, finding the perfect musicians, and conducting the orchestra. The other 50 percent is something that you’re either born with or that you’re able to develop. It’s the ability to work with people.

As you will read, music is the path that has taken me places, introduced me to people, and put me in situations that, in retrospect, seem to have unfolded in a natural progression toward my goals—although the route has been winding and challenging at times.

But whether your dream is to be a singer, a fashion designer, a carpenter, or an architect, you have to drive toward your passion. Sometimes, identifying and developing this passion involves some trial and error, but it also takes a plan. You need to outline the steps that it will take to move forward in your life, and you have to be truthful with yourself about the obstacles to success. If you can see these obstacles coming and jump out of their way, you will save time and energy for the next level of challenges that lie ahead.