No, I’m not talking about Michael Jordan (though being a champion like him is certainly not a bad thing). I’m talking about Michael Strahan, who debuted as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on the newly named “Live with Kelly and Michael” this morning. I’ve been watching the show for a long time and was anxiously awaiting the news of who would replace the legendary Regis Philbin. Although the naming of Strahan was the one of the worst-kept TV secrets, I was still looking forward to watching today ( I’ve been a fan of Kelly Ripa since her days as Hayley Vaughan on “All My Children”. ).
My favorite moment was early on, about seven minutes into the host chat, when Kelly introduced a tape of Strahan on the show in February 2008 after the New York Giants won the Super Bowl. It’s an awesome moment:
Michael Strahan tells Regis he wants his job
How cool is that? I’ve been working with great coaches and mentors who have taught me the value of goal-setting and visualization. Yes, I know these techniques work. If you had asked me five or six years ago what I’d be doing in 2012, I wouldn’t have thought to say “running my own business.” I remember being introduced to the work of Napoleon Hill and his philosophy for personal achievement, “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it.” And boy did Michael Strahan conceive, believe and achieve!
Of course, in February 2008, no one could have imagined “Live with Regis and Kelly” without Regis, and I’m assuming Regis didn’t expect Strahan to respond they way he did. This morning Strahan was momentarily speechless after being introduced as the new co-host and then said to Kelly, “I can’t say this is a dream come true because I couldn’t have dreamed this.”
Perhaps back in 2008 Michael Strahan was only kidding. But once the search for a new co-host began, I bet he wanted the job and did what he had to do to get the job: be himself and be the best Michael Strahan he could possibly be. He had to believe it was possible, otherwise why would he agree to co-host with Kelly along with the many other talented celebrities who shared co-hosting duties during the past nine months?
Congratulations, Michael Strahan! You are a great example of stating your goals and taking the actions necessary to bring them to fruition. I want to be just like you!
When someone asks you, “what are you going to do with the rest of your life,” take a deep breath, think big, and don’t be afraid to say what you want!
