What can we learn from POPSTARS IRELAND? How the hell is it related to NLP? Is this just a publicity stunt aimed at getting more people to check out the website? There really are certain things about POPSTARS IRELAND that we can learn from. What I'd like to talk about briefly is the aspect of CHARACTER.

POPSTARS IRELAND gives us Psychological understandings in terms of how people act in pressure situations when their hopes and dreams are at stake. We see what people's values are and who is genuine and who isn't. We see who can put things into a good perspective and who feel it's the end of the world in they don't succeed. We see who is spoilt and who is hardworking. We find out who can take it and who can't, who is strong and who isn't, who is caring and who isn't.

Most importantly, we gained a valuable insight into our culture and the type of people we have here in our Island. I, for one, was dramatically impressed. We all know our friends and believe that we are special in some way. We have a bond and an understanding that others can't relate to, but we are all very similar. Then, every once in a while there is the cheerful ones, the polite ones, the nice and kind ones, the beautiful ones, the caring ones, the determined ones. And we sit back and love them. Why? Because they reveal a side of us that we want to be.

No doubt many young people have said over the last few weeks "I want to be a popstar" and most of them will never live the dream. If they said instead I want to have similar character traits as Sinead, or Kyle, or Emma, or Liam, or Andy, or Sarah because of their determination, because of their strength, because of their personalities, because of their caring nature, because of their sense of humor THEN maybe things would be better. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe each of these people are simply excellent performers and can fake it well on TV but I don't think so. I, for one, was impressed what I saw.

Before it sounds like I'm putting these people on pedestals, far from it, they are just like us, you and me, normal in every way. At least they were. Now the real test of character comes for them however. Now they get to face the toughest kind of pressures and stresses a person could come up against: the price of stardom and the moodiness of the entertainment industry. Will they cope, I think they will, most of them anyway. Why? I like them. Although I'm sure I won't be a fan of their music, I know them just like all of you know them. They have become our friends and we can learn a lot from them.

Every day I help people to get out of the ruts of their daily lives. Every day I help people to overcome the challenges they face. Every day I see people in pain searching for a way out. I always have found in helping people make the important change that it all comes down to a few key essentials: their attitude, their determination and their resolve. When they have these three elements sorted everything else will follow on.

Many people lost it at popstars. They lost it because of their state. In my experience as a psychologist I completely believe that many of these young talents wouldn't have lost it if they knew NLP. If they knew the secrets to getting into the right emotional and psychological state they could have performed it. The test of a strong character is this ability.

Some examples of this kind of character: someone who used NLP without even knowing it was Sinead. In the final few days, she contemplated her next day in the auditions: "I'm just gonna go in there and give it socks." There was no more fear. There was only determination. An example of a real professional shining through. Another brilliant example of someone with real character was Sarah. After hearing the initial news of how she wasn't going to be a part of the band, she dealt with it courageously. She sang a sweet rendition of one of her favorite tunes accompanied (in harmony) by her dog. Again, an example of having a brilliant attitude. Emma also showed the ability to switch into a peak state in a second while feeling unwell during the auditions.

NLP teaches us to control our states, to get into the right frame of mind at the times we most need to. It shows us how to develop a shining confidence in ourselves and how to powerfully change the way we feel in seconds. It is simply a case of using thought experiments and thinking in a new way, which makes huge changes to our quality of life.

You can't give talent to people but there are many out there exceptionally talented. It comes down to the 'look' of the band as well as the talent of the band as well as their teamwork. What separates the success stories and those who fail at the final hurdle in many cases is handling the pressure, not being able to be in the right state at the right time. This is true in many other areas of life also. Can NLP make a person a star? I'm not saying that but what I am saying is that knowing how to run your brain for a change and getting into the right state makes a massive difference to your life. When you can change your attitudes towards more positive and useful ways of seeing the world and you develop your character, it will reward you with more success. If you give it a go, you'll benefit in ways you can't even imagine.

We don't believe that there are many limits to what you can do. Many people have asked themselves What would happen if it was me? When you consider your hopes and dreams, many people don't really think that they can accomplish them successfully. Do you? If you do and you demonstrate certain character traits then I believe you will succeed. If you don't, ask yourself, what stops you and realize that there are many more possibilities out there for you than you realize. You must, however, demonstrate your strength of character if you want to be the best you can be.

As a famous motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, is famous for saying "If these people can achieve their hopes and dreams, WHY NOT YOU??"