Shakira’s Secrets for Loving Every Day of Your Life

We bet that whenever you think of Shakira, the lyrics to “Hips Don’t Lie” immediately pop into your head. Sure, the song’s super catchy—but Shakira’s come a long way since her 2006 hit single debuted. The Grammy-winning artist gave birth to a son last year—not that you can tell by her incredible physique. And now, she’s coaching rising talent on NBC’s The Voice. We caught up with the Colombia native during her cover shoot for Women’s Health. Watch the interview below to learn about her tips for owning your Sєxiness and living a balanced life.

Stick to Your Pᴀssion and Follow Your Heart
Ever since she was young, she was rejected by the school choir and her music teacher told her that her voice sounded like a goat. Imagine if you love singing and people tell you this, especially your teacher, will you continue to sing? Well, most people will choose to give up on singing and buy into the idea that they lack the talent, but not Shakira.

When she first met with the Sony executives, she was told that she was a “lost cause” because she cannot seem to be able to control her voice. However, Shakira chose to stick to her pᴀssion for singing. Instead of giving up, she learns from the feedback that others told her and says, “I prefer an ugly truth to a pretty lie. If someone is telling me the truth, that is when I will give my heart.”

Learn to be Yourself
Shakira is known for her loud voice and a powerful vocal. And as a professional and successful singer, she can choose to mimic others and sing like many others, but she refuses to do so. Her parents once encouraged her by saying, “You have a beautiful voice, stick to what you are, don’t sing any less loud than what you think.”

And luckily, Shakira did not change the way she sings or imitates someone else. She decided to be herself and people will eventually accept her and find inspiration in her voice and songs. Thus, she continues to practice and sing just the way she is. And because of her authenticity, she finally turned all the odds and became successful.

Things may not always be easy all the time. There will times when you want to change your course or choose to do something else, but don’t. Choose to be yourself and express your originality because that is who you are. If you try to be like someone else or try to satisfy everyone, you will fail because you are trying to fit in rather than trying to “create a dent in the universe”, like what Steve Jobs said.

Persist Through Failures
Even after she became an artist and released her albums in the 1990s, Shakira did not manage to make it in the music industry. Her first two albums, Magia and Peligro were a failure. She then took some time off to prepare herself and get ready to work hard again.

Her third album, “Pies Descalzos”, which means “bare feet”, proved to be a success. The album went on to sell more than 3 million copies and instantly sH๏τ Shakira to fame. What is more important to notice is that the album featured her trademark sound, which is a blend of Latin, rock and Arabic musical styles. And in 2006, she produced the song “Hips Don’t Lie” and made her even more popular. She was also chosen to sing the Olympic song “Waka Waka” that became one of the top ten most watched videos in the world with over a billion views on YouTube.

As you can see, Shakira went through many failures before she makes it in the music industry. It is her persistence through failure and her ability to learn from failures that made her who she is today.

Dare to Dream Big

There is no way you can achieve outstanding success without dreaming big. During an interview, Shakira says that when she was just seven years old and it was the first time she came to Los Angeles and pᴀssed by the Walk of Fame with her mother, her mother told her, “Shaki, one day you’re “going to have your name on this place.”

Shakira also says that she would constantly dream of being a star, and known by the entire world. It was her determination to dream big and to make her dreams a reality that inspired and motivated her to become a successful singer in the music industry.

Success always starts as a dream in your head. When you look at the success of others, it did not happen by chance, but rather, it happened by designed and the success was once an idea in someone’s head. You have to do the same.

Thus, always start with your dreams. Know who you want to be and what you want to accomplish in your life. When you have a dream, be inspired, work hard, and be committed to turning your dream into your reality.

Giving Back to the World
Shakira is not only a successful artist and celebrity, she is also known for her philanthropic activity and charity work. In fact, she started her own foundation called the Pies Descalzos Foundation and was appointed by the then US President Barrack Obama to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

When Shakira was young, her father took her to a local park to see the orphans who lived there. And since that day, she said to herself, “One day I’m going to help these kids when I become a famous artist.”