Traits of the Superhero

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!

Thanks for popping by Graceland Ontario this week. You’ve dropped in on time to join our superhero series where we’re showing the benefits Elvis drew from being inspired by superheroes and how that relates to you. I think you’ll be surprised how useful these cartoon fellas can be for your success in life. Take a look and I’ll let you decide for yourself.

There are so many good things associated with superheroes, this week we’ll only talk about a couple of their traits and over the next two weeks we’ll do the rest. Incorporating, or emphasizing, these habits into you’re routine will move you one step closer to Elvis and the superhero and one step away from the villain the superhero vanquishes.

Have High Standards

Superheroes don’t say enough is enough. They do all they possibly can. And when they’re in pain or tired, they say to themselves, “just a bit farther, I know I can do this.” They have a standard for what they think is possible and, even when in pain, they won’t allow themselves to dip below this standard for anything. We can listen to Elvis’s released sessions and many of us fans will say “even the ones that didn’t make the final track were good”. But Elvis had standards. Even if it was “good enough” to sell, he made sure it reached his high standards before it went on record. By having high standards, you create integrity in your work that others learn to trust. We know we’re getting something special when we listen to an Elvis track. Others will know they’re getting something special when you maintain your own high standards. And that’s not bad for creating a great reputation and lasting success in your life.

Fight for the Right

You don’t see Superheroes fighting for selfish, petty issues. You see them fighting for others, for family, for children. For those who wouldn’t stand a chance without them. They give a chance to those who wouldn’t have one. And they aren’t corrupted by what anyone else says. They know its right, and they fight for it with all they’ve got. Elvis wasn’t perfect, but he fought for the causes he believed in, whether that be charity, or joining the army or spreading the word of Christianity through gospel music. Plenty of people do and plenty fail, but people admire and respect those who do or fail for something they believe is right. That can’t hurt your success. The added benefit is when you believe you’re doing something right you stand a better chance of following through with what you do. After all, if it’s “right” to do it, then it has to be “wrong” not to. In a way, you’re reinforcing your chances of winning.

Be a Role Model

Superheroes are role models. You don’t see them doing things you’d be embarrassed about, like smoking, or swearing, or slouching. They always look their best, no matter the situation (or confrontation) and all the kids want to be like them as a result. They just look that amazing. I mean, take a look at Elvis from about any time in his career; he looked and acted like the kind of guy that kids and adults alike want to be − clean, well-dressed, polite, well-spoken. And when people want to be like you, they’ll want to be with you to find out how you do it. And they’ll want to support you to ‘keep up the good work’. Try to imagine what that would do for your career, I dare you…

Elvis’s Lessons:

• Elvis, like his superhero idols, had some great traits that helped him become (and remain) successful. By having high standards, fighting for the right and being a role model, you’ll improve yourself a bit more AND bring out the superhero waiting to reawaken from your childhood. Plus, you’ll increase your chances of success all the while. Not a bad lesson to get from a cheap comic book, I tell ya…

P.S. If you’re interested in hearing Elvis singing a great version of “La Paloma” (No More), here’s a link to Youtube. I only recently started on this song but now I keep singing it in the shower…

P.P.S. Remember to leave a comment!

I want to make clear that I am not selling anything. This is my way of paying back to the world and I sincerely hope the information I provide can advise you to a better, more successful life. Have a great and successful week and I’ll see you next Friday!

Elvis Presley, Superhero

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I’m back again from Graceland Ontario to bring you more tips and tweaks from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll on becoming a more successful person

Excited? So am I. This one’s been brewing for a while so, hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Remember when you were a kid and you’d watch all those shows with superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, Captain America or Superman? And you’d say “I wish I could be as awesome as he is…” Well, you weren’t the only one.

Elvis was also one of the millions of kids who wants or wanted to be a superhero. He once said, “When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed, has come true a hundred times...”

Elvis particularly loved Captain Marvel. Some people say he mirrored his image off of him and the similarity is stunning; both his hairstyle and the jumpsuits he wore in later years bear resemblance to Captain Marvel’s superhero clothes.

His clothes looked more superhero-ish especially as he got older. The capes got bigger and the clothes more flashy.

But clothes aren’t the only reason to be a superhero. Their fight for right and war against wrong is also part of the deal, and Elvis knew this, too. Elvis even initiated his 1970 meeting with President Nixon to become a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Drugs and Narcotics to maintain the law. He received his badge, payback to the country he felt gave him so much.

But other than a childhood love of superheroes, what’s so good about “Captain Marvel”? Well superheroes are great role models. They don’t falter like normal human beings. They know exactly what to do and when to do it. And they’re never corrupted by money or anything else.

This role-modelling showed on the King; one day, in his later years, a couple men robbed a petrol station he was passing in his limo. He asked his driver to stop and apprehended the assailants with some karate moves. But, to his surprise, when the men realized who he was, they forgot about the robbery. Instead, they asked for his autograph!

The point is that Elvis’s programming of right and wrong was deeply imbedded, like the programming of his childhood, superhero idols who never falter however tempted they may be. And what’s better is that these fictional superheroes cannot do wrong; they were created to fight for right and they always do, unlike humans. Following their example, as Elvis did is an incredible way to improve yourself. Next week, we’ll talk more about these individual traits and how you can use them in your life. Remember to stop by in a week's time!

Elvis’s Lessons:

It’s tough to be perfect, let alone a superhero − no doubt. But using the inspiration of a perfect role-model can’t hurt. It helped Elvis become even more epic than he was; I mean, take a look at those capes! If they could improve one of the most successful men in history, think what they can do for you. Yep, you were right all along − watching Superman is nearly as good as going to school.

Thanks for reading and I sincerely hope you have an awesome and successful week!

P.S. I’d love to read your comments, whether underneath this post or at my email, alexghilson@gmail.com

P.P.S. If you want to see Elvis acting like a superhero, here’s a clip of him from his 1969 movie Charro!.

Strange And Wonderful Things

Hey Guys,

We all have our ups and downs and sometimes we get stuck in the monotony of everyday life. But, we have hope. If there is anything we can learn from Elvis, it is this: strange and wonderful things can happen, even when you least expect them.

Sounds like the kind of thing you’d read in Charles Dickens or J. K. Rowling, huh (hey, what’s wrong with Harry Potter, after all?). Of course, you’re probably thinking right now that there’s a difference between the wishful imaginations of fiction writers and reality.

Well sure, we don’t have magic wands (or evil wizards trying to murder us), nor does life tie up quite as nicely as it does in a novel. But still, amazing stuff can happen − and it does!

Take Elvis: I can’t overestimate the unlikeliness of a poor kid from Mississippi becoming anything notable, let alone one of the greatest, most influential, well-loved individual in popular music.

I mean, so Elvis could sing, and well. He sang his heart out in the after-hours of his truck job. He kept singing. And then POOF!!! Positive things started happening. Like more people starting asking for his autograph. And more people came to his shows. And there were more requests for his records to be played on radio.

It wasn’t an overnight switch from poverty to riches, but it happened.

After all, if it could happen to him, why couldn’t it happen to you?

Now, before I sign off for another week, I’d like to talk about a second, wonderful thing that happened in Elvis’s life. One that didn’t tarnish (like his marriage) and that was uniquely his (unlike Graceland with its 600,000 visitors a year). I’m talking about the ’68 Comeback Special.

Yes, you’ve heard me talk about it before and I will continue to talk about it until I’ve got off my mind how awesome it was (and drummed into yours how awesome it was).

Elvis is in a dip. His movies aren’t selling the way they used to. Generally, the only tracks he records are for movies and they don’t compare to the ones coming out of the British Invasion from bands like the Who, Stones, Beatles or Kinks. I mean, musically Elvis was becoming a has-been. And, especially in the 60’s, that was no title to wear proudly.

So, Elvis decides he wants to do a show. The Colonel, Tom Parker, Elvis’s manager, wants Elvis to sing Christmas carols exclusively. Elvis doesn’t like that idea much and neither does the show’s producer and director, Steve Binder, so they decide that he sing some of his old songs mixed with some new ones.

You’ve got to understand the importance of this. Elvis’s film career looked like it was coming to an end, and soon. What does an out of work rock star do when he doesn’t have a film career or a music career (correct: they write a book). What was Elvis going to do? Go back to his electrician apprenticeship? Start driving a truck?

Elvis was in serious trouble of death by boredom, and he knew it.

But the rest is history. Elvis, out of some marvelous whim of fate, made a full comeback and did some of his most impressive work, including Suspicious Minds, afterwards.

Now, don’t let me give you the idea that it just happened. I’m a serious Ben Obi Wan Kenobi fan, especially when he says, “In my experience there is no such thing as luck. Elvis worked for it and he got it. Does it always work that way? Heck no. But it can. Both in the very beginning and during the Comeback Special, Elvis worked for success. And when you work for success something wonderful and unexpected happens − opportunities present themselves that you didn’t even know existed, the Law of Attraction works in your favour and you make history.

Elvis’s Lessons:

Ø Sometimes, wonderful and unexpected turns of fate happen, often when you don’t expect them. Oftentimes, even the direst situations have their ways of turning around. But you tend to have to work to get out of the rut. Diving into depression won’t help you but being proactive will. Get your own Comeback Special organized and get kicking. It worked for Elvis and if it worked for him, then why not you? And if you seriously do a show, send me an invitation. I’d love to see you rise like a Phoenix.

P.S. If you'd like to see some more Elvis from the life-changing '68 Comeback Special, here's a Youtube clip of him singing "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do" from the 'unplugged' segment of the show.

P.P.S. I've love to hear your feedback and stories. Please leave a comment or email me at alexghilson@gmail.com to continue the conversation.

Who Wants to Be Called "Fat"?

Thank you success-searchers and Elvis fans for tuning into Graceland Ontario! Today, we’re going to turn to fitness, how it influences your chances of success and how Elvis modeled this.

I got an email only the other day from a woman who she felt “cheated” when she found a guy she’d gone on a date with had been hiding his large stomach under his suit. She proclaimed no out-of-shape guy would have any romantic chance with her. Of course, she was marketing a fitness product.

Now even if I told you (and I am telling you) there are a large number of systems on creating attraction that have nothing to do with your physical shape, the woman does have a point. I mean, being fit in no way ensures attraction, in business or life, but it can be a nice simple way to spark it. And no one’s going to complain about doing things the easy way (when there is an easy way), are they?

Elvis time! When Elvis was young, he was in decent shape. Not a barrel of bones, like James Stewart, but he was fit. He tried out for football in high school and later took up karate (Elvis was a black belt).

And remember, people weren’t just attracted to Elvis’s singing and music; they were attracted to Elvis. They screamed and mobbed him. Sure this had something to do with his awesome persona, but his looks also played their part.

Elvis was thinner during his stint in the army and heavier during his mid-movie career, but he kept in pretty steady shape.

Between 1968 and 1970, Elvis might have looked his best. He was lean and handsome, exceptionally for a man in his 30’s. But going into the late 70’s, he packed on the pounds fast. Really, he wasn’t even that bad compared to some people in their early 40’s, only bad compared to his old self.

Now I won’t once again point out the correlation between Elvis’s declining body and his declining career, but I will mention something else; you ever notice that whenever someone wants to be mean to Elvis, they never say “that punk who messed things up” or “that has-been who dressed up in leather”. These would reference when he was in the 50’s or 60’s, when he was in good shape. No, they say “‘fat Elvis’, the guy who was so heavy he died of a heart attack just getting up from his toilet”. Brutal, eh?

You know what’s even worse? Even though Elvis was in pristine physical shape through most of his life, they always colour over everything else with the ‘fat’ tag, even in the times when he wasn’t. Heck, even when he was in better shape than plenty of others.

It’s not my place to tell you what to do. I can only advise based on what I see, and that’s it − a bunch of narcissistic hypocrites who rip apart others based on looks and then, like the woman I mentioned earlier, sell products about it.

So what do you do? Start exercising. Doesn’t have to be much (I’m a big fan of walking) but do something. And watch your diet. I don’t mean go on a fad diet; I mean eat wholesome foods with nutrients in portions that make sense. And drink lots of water. When I started getting my health act in gear, nothing helped more than plain ol’ tap water.

You can learn from the past, from others who experienced pain first hand. A good body is not the key to success, but it and the discipline it takes fostering one helps. After all, who wants all their achievements tainted with ‘fat’ preceding their name?

Elvis’s Lessons:

• Getting into shape can help your career as well as your overall lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be extreme; a little walking, watching what foods you eat and drinking water can go a long way to shaping you up.

P.S. If you need some positive and negative inspiration, here's a video of Elvis singing "Jailhouse Rock" when he was in his best shape, in 1968, and another when he was in his worst, in 1977. They're useful for comparison.

P.S.S. When I was getting in shape, this free website was a lot of help. It's called Scooby's Workshop, named after its founder. I hope it can help you do the same.