How to Win at Karaoke (and life)

My husband and I recently went out for a karaoke night with some friends. I was super stoked that he asked me because I'd never been to a karaoke club and I'm a person who is totally in love with the idea of getting up on a stage and being a rockstar for a night (and then returning to your boring life).

Going out together is an important bonding opportunity that sometimes ends in failure for us. Outings with talking are awkward between us because we truly are very different people. Like polar opposites in more ways than maybe you should be with a soulmate. There have been many nights that ended in a silent, angry car or train ride home. So movies and concerts have become a staple for high yield enjoyment, low yield "what do you think about it" experiences. 

​I'm proud of us. We sang one song together and it turned out to be one hell of a night. Karaoke may end up in the rotation of our date night possibilities. If you're curious you can check out part of our performance below...

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What made the night so much fun? Why did we as two very different people give it a go in front of a bar full of strangers? I guess I could ask that same question about our life journey. Maybe there's something about our attitude toward karaoke that can be applied to our individual and joint life experiences. Karaoke takes courage. Life takes courage.

I came up with this list of qualities to help you (and us) win at both:

Swag- Have confidence as you approach the moment. Crowds smell fear. As my mom used to say, "Run toward the roar!". Since you walked up there, you may as well make it count. You only get one life to live in this consciousness, as this person you are today... Give it all you got!

Song Selection- Choose a song you like but will encourage those around you to participate. In this life, you’ll want to take the path that suits who you are, but make sure you include others in your journey. No man is an island. If you can sing a duet or in a large group. The more people we welcome in to participate with us, the more love and enjoyment we experience.

The Sell (go all out)- So you're up there and it starts to go awry... hey, whether you sound good or bad, a drunk crowd reacts to enthusiasm over talent. In life sometimes you gotta fake it 'til you make it. Hard work beats talent any day.

Have a Blast- Put a smile on your face; life is to be lived. If you're on stage make it memorable. Be present in the moment focused only on how enjoyable the opportunity is. Even in our most painful moments being present allows us to appreciate where we are, where we've been, and where we are going. Live in the now.

Express Gratitude- Thank your audience. Thank you friends and loved ones who sang with you. Be thankful to the people who are journeying through life with you right now. Be thankful for the opportunity itself. Gratitude is the key to much of our happiness as it reminds us that each moment is a gift.

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This is my best advice for winning at karaoke and life. Seize the moment! Make the most of your time in the sun. When you approach life (and karaoke) with a courageous heart and an open mind, you'll enjoy the experience much better. Happy singing!


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*One last bit of advice… we have the urge to document everything. We had friends document our first time singing together because it was kind of special but we probably won't document every time we go. Just remember that in the age of social media we can fight the urge and decide not to take a picture or video. Documenting everything takes away from being in the now because we're constantly sharing the past. Ok, now I'll say… Happy Singing!