It is not always easy to believe in yourself, but when you do, great things can happen. Just ask late night TV talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. His ability to believe in himself has resulted in his show becoming the longest running late-night talk show in ABC’s history. Recent guests include Jennifer Lopez, Liam Neeson, Kurt Russell, Kevin Hart and President Barack Obama. Learn how Jimmy Kimmel overcame some of the obstacles he faced in his career and how you can too.
Life often creates plenty of noise that can overpower the inner-voice that tells you to keep going and reassures you that you absolutely will succeed, but there should never be a louder voice than the one in your own heart and soul. It should keep you moving, determined, and dedicated to your dreams.
“I do not like anybody else telling me what I am capable or not capable of doing. That can be very inspirational, because you run into a lot of people who will tell you what you can’t do in life. And it’s fun to prove those people wrong,” said Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel actually began his show business career in the radio industry as a college DJ. He turned pro at twenty-one, working his way into bigger and bigger radio markets before arriving at LA’s legendary station KROQ, where he was “Jimmy the Sports Guy” on The Kevin and Bean Show.
In 1997, he made the leap from radio to TV as host of the game show Win Ben Stein’s Money. He eventually became a member of the elite club of late-night talk show hosts when ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! hit the air in 2003.
Jimmy was eager to share his experiences on his journey to the top:
“The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome in my career is being pigeonholed. And that’s not just true in television. It’s been true going back to my days when I was on the radio. I remember when I was starting out in radio there would be certain program directors and general managers who felt that I should just be a behind-the-scenes guy or maybe a writer. They felt that I shouldn’t be “on-the-air talent.” They felt that I would be more suited toward a support role to other people who were—in their minds—more talented. I was even let go from a couple of radio jobs.”
“It’s weird that the way I was able to overcome that sort of stuff was by just moving from one radio station to another. It’s sort of like going to a different high school and being able to “reinvent yourself,” for lack of a better phrase. But in a way, it enabled me to sort of start over each time, and to try and be seen the way that I wanted to be seen.”
Self-belief is a crucial trait to possess, especially when you are trying to accomplish tasks and goals that others might not support. There will always be naysayers and non-supporters, along with people that simply cannot see what you see. But if you have a strong inner-voice, and actually take the time to listen to it, you’ll be amazed by how far that will get you on your journey through your personal and professional life.
What is your inner voice saying to you today?
by Jerry Gladstone