4 Life Lessons You Can Learn from America’s Got Talent Winner Grace VanderWaal

In what might have been the best season on America's Got Talent, Grace Vanderwaal led the way. With her charming personality and inspiring music she took the world by storm. She truly is a shining star just like Howie said and I, like millions of you, can’t wait to see what’s next for her.
 
Over the course of the show, I was constantly amazed by Grace and her beautiful soul. I mean, how could you not love the bubbly 12-year-old from New York with an incredible voice. Since Grace is such an inspiration, here are four life lessons we can all learn from her. Here we go!

1. Don’t conform to the norm
In the season finale, Grace debuted her song “Clay” and it was incredible. Some would even say it was a winning performance :) Her song speaks about being yourself and not molding to someone else’s world. Well, if there is one thing Grace is not, it’s clay. She is her own person on her own journey and we can all learn something from her amazing performance.

It's okay to be unique. It's okay to be different. Don't be afraid to be you because everyone is amazing in their own way.

2. Don’t be afraid to take a risk
Typically on game/talent shows, especially when the performer is a singer, it is a huge risk to sing an original. Often times, it is actually advised against. Grace didn’t just sing an original for her first performance. She didn’t just sing one for her last performance. She sang one every single time she took the stage.
 
She took a risk and it paid off. In life, sometimes we are afraid to take a risk because we are scared of failing or we are scared of what other people might think. Instead of letting fear consume you, take a risk and you will be astonished and what you can accomplish.

3. Age is just a number
12 years old! Age doesn’t matter when it comes to talent. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to pursuing your passion. Age is just an excuse that we all use. How many times have you heard someone say, “you’re too young to be a speaker or you’re too old to make it to the Major Leagues?” We’ve all heard this time and time again, but Grace is just one incredible example of how age is just a number. As a matter of fact, several finalists were in their teens or early twenties. How’s that for a finale!
 
4. Be authentic
The number one reason Grace became a global sensation was because of her authenticity. She didn’t try to be anyone but herself. Since the time the show aired till last night when she won America’s Got Talent, Grace accumulated more than 475,000 fans on Facebook. Wow! I'm still working on getting my first thousand. 
 
Grace’s authenticity comes through in her videos and her songs, but most importantly it comes through when she isn’t on stage. Her photos and everything she does, comes from her heart. She’s a 12-year-old girl who loves to sing and perform and if there’s one thing we can learn from Grace, it is to always be authentic and true to ourselves.
 
Grace was America’s golden buzzer and boy, did she earn it. Congratulations Grace! You deserve to be the winner of America’s Got Talent and I hope that as you rise up the ranks, you continue to stay true to yourself!
 
I hope that we can all learn something from Grace, but more importantly, I hope that you find it within yourself to live life on your own terms and be your own person.
 
A few final thoughts:

• Be yourself and opportunities will present themselves.
• Take a risk and success will follow.
• Use your age as a motivator and you will be amazed at what you can achieve.
• Be authentic and people will gravitate towards you.

 
The only limits that exist are the ones we place on ourselves! Grace took it upon herself to show America that a 12-year-old girl can be a superstar and that is exactly what happened.
 
Congratulations Grace and congratulations to everyone who reads this article because you are one step closer to becoming a superstar in your own way!

Jake Kelfer is a bestselling author, high energy inspirational speaker and career elevation coach. He aims to inspire people on their journey to personal success and happiness. His first book, Elevate Beyond, provides a framework for gaining an advantage in school, work and life. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. ​​​