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22
Sep
by Steve24 Comments »

Unpacking the Oprah Interview

This interview influenced me in a profound way. I don’t know why it affected me so significantly, but I guess it’s just proof of the old maxim, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”

A Unique Look At Failure

Oprah’s comments on failure affected me most.

When she said that she pays close attention to failure because she sees it as God moving her in another direction, something on the inside of me “clicked”.

We seem to universally have a strong aversion to failure, but somehow, Oprah has learned to look at failure through a different lens, and in so doing, she has created a different meaning for it.

Instead of personalizing it, she has caused it to mean that God is pointing her in the right direction.  That is powerful!

A Unique Look At a Life’s Work

Another point that really jumped out at me during this interview were her comments about the start of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and her fears about its future.

Her comment about the world not needing another television channel, but a different way of looking at itself made me take a second look at the work I feel compelled to.

It is true. The world doesn’t need another blog site. It doesn’t need another author. And the world definitely does not need another public speaker or coach.

Think about your own work. The world doesn’t need another ____________ (you fill in the blank).

A Unique Look at YOU!

The world does need you…desperately!

We don’t just need you to show up and punch a clock. We don’t need you to come in and fill a chair. We don’t need you to make and check off tasks on a list.

We desperately need you to show up for life! We need you to sing your song. We need you to show us a different way of looking at our world.

We need the reflection of what is possible for ourselves that we see when you live your life with purpose and passion. Only you can show us.

The task you do is irrelevant. The fact that you are here to do it and the manner in which you do it are essential.

Remember: “Every single person matters.” I need you. We all do.

Keep this in mind every minute of every day. Your perspective is necessary at this moment in time. The work you do is vital because it helps us to see ourselves and our world a little differently.

You and I make a great difference when we fulfill small tasks in a great way.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 at 6:00 am and is filed under Inspirational, Personal Growth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
  • http://jymtarrant.com Jym Tarrant

    Love the inspirational flavor Steven.

    I’m a great believer that a huge thing in life is the way you perceive the events and circumstances around you. That, in some ways, is where our power really lies.

    Despite my general disgust at day time TV and just about everything it’s spawned, I have to concede that Oprah is a true light for good in the world.
    Thanks for transmitting this ‘pearl’ to us here.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      I really appreciate it, Jym.  You are correct that our power lies in what we cause things to mean.  We choose the perception of the events that happen to us even if we can’t choose the events themselves.

      Glad you found this inspiring.

  • Christine

    thanks for this awesome insight…I will have a better day just by being inspired with the great Oprah Winfrey quotes! 

    Have yourself great day,too, Steven.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks so much. I will have a great day, Christine.  I appreciate it.  

      I’m so grateful that these quotes and insights inspired you.

  • http://www.stellaanokam.com/understanding-how-to-seo-back-link-building-2935 Stella | Learn Link Building

    Wos, Steven – I love these Winfrey series. I loved reading them and now I’m watching the LiveStream.

    Oprah is such an “opportunity taker” – in one of her other interviews, she admitted to (i) writing it down (and kept the sheet for years until it came to pass) when it was first suggested she could own her own TV network (ii) she almost chickened out when it came close to real.

    Oprah has GUTs – she believed if ever it fails, she’d just be a school teacher (her other, lower dream). Most of us get stuck at fear and never apply GUT.

    We all have a lesson to learn from her about offering the World, our audience, our own unique look at the same thing that is everywhere – see how she changed the face of talk shows, and now Entertainment TV shows.

    I pray we can be like Oprah to not be “just another blogger” BUT not be afraid to add our personality to what we do, daring to be different.

    Oprah also was dedicated to her audience – never missed a show. Hmm… that was awesome love for service.

    Thanks for your awesome review of Oprah’s interview. Steve. 

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Glad you could take the time to watch it, Stella…it’s really insightful.

      You are right, it’s important to try to be ourselves and not just another blogger/writer, etc. 

      I’m really glad you could use this information.

      • http://www.stellaanokam.com Stella | Business Productivity

        Sure, I did, Steve.  I’ve been replaying that her interview at FB. She’s so smart and lucky too:) Oprah is such a goal-oriented person and focused too. I can’t think of how many people would write down a dream and keep the sheet for as long as it took for that dream to become reality.

        Thanks once again for “unpacking Oprah”.

  • Earl Harville

    I will be intentional about keeping this in my spirit today. This is much needed clarity!!!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Awesome!  So glad it provided clarity to you today.  That’s what we all need! :)

  • http://twitter.com/janettefuller Janette Fuller

    I really like this perspective on failure ~ It is God’s way of pointing us in a different direction. I will definitely remember that.
    Thank you for an inspirational post, Steve!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Yeah, it really struck me when she said that!  What resonated even more is that she said “I really pay attention” to failure because it’s God’s way…etc.  Such a great way to look at it…not to be ashamed of failure but trusting the unseen to nurture and guide us. 

      I appreciate your comment and kind share on Twitter.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gustrafo gustavo silva

    Hi, Steve!The sentence alone is tremendously powerful  (“…she pays close attention to failure because she sees it as God moving her in another direction”). Coming from an extremely successful person makes it even more. We usually think that successful people (whatever that means) are the lucky ones who never had to face failure. The truth is that they did face failure –probably bigger than the vast majority-
    but learned to use it positively by seeing it differently.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      That’s an interesting observation, Gustavo. The fact that we think that successful people avoid failure says more about a successful person’s discipline to handle failure differently than most people than it does their actual avoidance of pitfalls.  

      It also shows that we tend to look at someone who prepares well, plans for the unexpected, and bounces back quickly as someone who is “lucky” or without failure.

      You are right in your assessment…the successful ones are the people who can experience failure and use it for positive means.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lisamtorres Lisa Torres-Allen

    I love that line too “…she pays close attention to failure because she sees it as God moving her in another direction” – That is so true. God has a plan for all of us. We may not understand why we fail at certain things..Lord knows I had my share of failure….but I learned from those mistakes and they do bring you to better places in your life! Great post!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks so much, Lisa.  It is so important to learn from our experiences with failure–as you pointed out.  If we’re persist, we can be sure that we will arrive at a better place for sure.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1323703418 Martha Giffen

    As an avid Oprah fan, you have written a fabulous post about her secrets to success.  She is such an inspiration and I can’t tell you how many times I gleaned wisdom from her.  So much of my own self-growth was because of something Oprah said.  I heard her say she doesn’t allow negative people anywhere in her space.  That was the game-changer for me.  Now, I don’t allow it either!  Nice post!

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      I’m an avid fan too, actually something from her show precipitated me writing my first book!  

      I hope you’ll have the time to watch the whole interview.  It’s really fascinating and worthwhile.  

      Martha, I’d never heard her say that about negative people, but it’s such a great maxim to live by.  I appreciate you sharing that anecdote…especially since I’d never come across that.  

      Thanks for stopping to comment here.

  • http://www.giglogo.com Karla Campos

    This is very beautiful and powerful Steven, I have been seeing life through a similar lens as Oprah, mine is one door is closing for a better one to open. Sometimes that transition takes longer than one hopes but you just have to keep believing that a better day will come : ) 

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      That’s a great perspective, Karla!

      You are right…we want instant results many times, but it is vital that we persist and keep faith that the “better day will come.” Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wisdom.

  • http://simplystatedbusiness.com Cathy Miller

    Love this post, Steve. I latch on to the unique. My tagline at my business writing site even uses the word – Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours..

    I always blame my drive for uniqueness on being a middle child of seven and trying to stand out from the crowd. :-) I so agree that we are each unique and have something special to offer.

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thanks so much, Cathy! Uniqueness is something we all seek, but it seems that we try to find it by looking to others!

      You are fortunate to have developed this drive to stand out, but what is exciting for each of us is that we all have our own experiences and insights that makes our perspective just as important as everyone else’s.

      So grateful for your contribution. Thanks for chiming in!

  • Anonymous

    Hey there Steven, 

    I absolutely enjoyed… no, LOVED this post! :) There were so many great pointers to this post I cannot choose only one. I do love me some Lady “O” though! She consistently delivers the truth and nothing but the truth. :) It’s so easy for us to get lost in the “who’s following, adding, RT’ing us” that we miss out on what should be the real purpose of it all. The connection’s with people all over the world that offer more than just a connection, but also inspiration, encouragement, and purpose. We each bring unique attributes that offer inspiration to one another. You have shared yours with us today. For that, I thank you my friend.
    As I fumbled through this “play catch up” Monday, I have been reminded by you that I have something to offer as well. :)  

    Thank you for sharing your Awesomeness with us Steve.
     Have a great week my friend. 

    • http://www.KarmicKappuccino.com Steve Rice

      Thank you so much for the kind words, Deeone. It’s wonderful to know that I’m going in the right direction with the inspiration and perspective I offer.

      It has been a challenge to uncover and then trust that instinct, but you are right that it is about the connections that we make with people all around the world.

  • http://Mazzastick.com Justin

    Hey Steve,
    I totally agree here. The world needs us here and it needs us to show up. There is plenty of room for another blogger, actor, singer, dancer and so on.