six Daily life Classes In the King's Speech

First of all, let me state my disclaimer: I am NOT a movie critic, nor do I pretend to be. However, I am a lover of quality and films are no exception.

The King's Speech is at the epitome of genius film making - cinematography, acting, music and costumes. However, it's the powerful storyline that caused a two hour dinner discussion with my family about King George VI's stammer and his adulthood quest to conquer it with the help of a very unorthodox speech therapist, Lionel Logue.

Here are some of the takeaways from this year's movie of the year:

1. You decide your worth

That's right, you must decide your value before you expect to receive accolades from the world. And, here's the deal: it must come from within. I've seen it so many times. In fact, I know it personally all too well. From the outside, you seem to have it all - great job, health, body, friends, life - but you don't embody your worth. You try to find it outside of you through praise, promotions, a certain weight or affections.

In the movie, the King of all people, suffered from low self-esteem. He allowed his stammer to define his worth, instead of focusing on his strengths as a husband, leader and the inherit status he was born into.

What you focus on grows. Each time the King focused on his speech impediment and the fear of judgment, he lost his ability to talk without the stammer. However, when Lionel had him focus on his strengths and emphasized his worth, the King managed to speak with less stammer and more confidence.

You cannot, and I repeat, cannot wait for other's to determine your own worth. You will be waiting for a long, long time. It is up to you to decide how you want to show up in the world, and then it's up to you to put your big girl panties on and just do it.

Then, and only then, will people begin to see you the way you desire to be seen.

Enough said about that! Movin' on...

2. You don't need a bunch of credentials

Lionel Logue, the speech therapist who was the key player in helping King George VI overcome his speech impediment, didn't have a college degree or certification. What he did possess was a passion for helping people find their voice and a proven track record for providing results.

I've seen people chase more credentials than will fit on an application line in order to feel qualified and worthy. For some, there's never enough. They are always seeking more external validation and education. I'm not against initials behind a name. In fact, I have a couple behind my own. However, I think it's important to examine why you desire more qualifications. Is it for the love of learning or maybe it's necessary Get Unstuck for the path you desire to go down? Or, is it coming from a place of not feeling good enough and fear of being judged as incompetent? I hate to break it to you but another degree won't necessary take care of that issue.

By the way, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates don't have initials behind their names, other than CEO and multi-gazillionaire, both of which were self-appointed.

3. Unorthodox is where it's at!

The King worked with many "traditional" speech therapists who followed normal modes of treatment. However, it was Logue's unorthodox approach that created results - singing his words, using "shit" and "fuck" as catalyst for speaking and having the Queen sit on the Kings chest as he breathed through his diaphragm.

Many people try to create lives, bodies and businesses based on what they're told they "should" be doing - such as create a thirty page business plan, get an MBA, join a gym, cut out all the carbs, join the PTO, coach a certain way, and don't forget to put your kid into every activity under the sun and run yourself ragged as a result. Simply put, you become ordinary and miserable.

Let me ask you a question. Who do you pay attention to? The traditionalists or those who are paving their own eccentric way? Amazing, stellar, extraordinary, excellence....these things are never ordinary. They're birthed by extremely unorthodox people.

4. Find someone who believes in you

Lionel Logue believed in the King's ability to be great long before the King realized it in himself. When you surround yourself with someone who believes in you, refuses to buy into your "sad" story and stands by you when you feel that you can't take another step, you're already ahead in your game of life.

I say it often, and I'll say it again: support is the key to success.

5. You have a voice

Perhaps the biggest lesson of The King's Speech is this: you have a voice. You have something unique to share, a story that needs to be heard, a talent that needs to be offered. People often hide their voice behind excess weight, mediocre lives and suppressed desires. As with King George VI, fear is the culprit - fear of imperfection, judgment, failure and even success. What's your story? What are you dying to say?

Don't worry if you're not sure. Finding your voice takes time and patience, but it can't be found if you dare to speak. When you begin to share your voice, you begin to taste the freedom of being you.

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