The Rockstar Trait We Didn’t Know We Already Have

Let me clarify – a “rockstar” isn’t just someone who performs rock music.

It’s a term we use for anyone who excels and is truly awesome at what they do.

For example, if you are a high performer in Sales, you are a Sales rockstar. If you are an exceptional programmer or developer, you are a Coding rockstar.

Get the idea, right?

As 2024 wraps up and 2025 approaches, many of us who are writing new goals or revising old ones might be asking:

How can we excel in the new year?

How can we, too, be Rockstars?

While having talent, the right system in place and connections are important, I believe the real secret actually lies within us: The willingness to go the extra mile!

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The Principle of Going the Extra Mile

Famously championed by Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, the principle of going the extra mile suggests that consistently doing more than expected will set us apart in a world full of average effort.

Yes, through consistency, it becomes a habit. And over time, this habit builds excellence – helping us stand out and potentially making us “rockstars” in our field or life.

Makes sense, right?

Normally, I would share examples from the sales and marketing world, like a brand going the extra mile for its customers. But this time, I’m taking a detour and looking at someone who embodies this principle.

Of course, there are so many examples out there, but I am going to cite one that is rocking the entertainment world right now: Rockstar Lisa!

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LISA: A Rockstar Who Goes the Extra Mile!

LISA—yes, the LISA from BLACKPINK.

Now, some of you might ask—how about Rosé, Jennie and Jisoo of BLACKPINK? Well, they are all incredible and have gone the extra mile too, but there are a few reasons I am choosing LISA here.

Not only does LISA have a global hit song titled “Rockstar,” for me, she truly lives up to the rockstar term and title.

Lisa is well-known for her powerful stage presence, striking visuals, exceptional dance skills performed with passion and other versatile talents including modeling and her upcoming debut in acting.

Now, did her journey to fame happen overnight? Definitely not.

Just imagine— a 13-year-old Thai girl becomes YG Entertainment’s first non-Korean trainee. Knowing just “annyeong-haseyo,” she had to quickly master a new language and adapt to the high-pressure, competitive K-Pop industry training environment.

While I’m not sure about blood, I can certainly imagine the sweat, tears and the countless extra miles Lisa has crossed to reach where she is today – miles fueled by discipline, sacrifice, resilience, creativity, empathy, confidence and a positive mental attitude.

Now, not only is she a member of the globally renowned BLACKPINK, but LISA is also a soloist with a global presence— dominating the music scene as well as the world of fashion and brand ambassadorship.

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Fast-forward to 2024: Lisa's Tour and Going the Extra Mile

Lisa has released 3 new hit songs and recently wrapped up her Asia 2024 fan meetups as a solo artist in cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kaohsiung and Hong Kong.

Social media was buzzing, and naturally, I had to check out what all the excitement was about.

As I scrolled through posts and comments, fans were saying these events felt more like ‘mini-concerts’ than fan meets. Many even described the experience as “worth every cent.”

Curious, I checked out some uploaded videos of the fan meets.

And wow—these weren’t typical fan meets but elevated, extraordinary ones. The extra-mile effort was glaringly obvious!

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Creating Lasting Memories by Going the Extra Mile

To start, I am not exactly a Blink (BLACKPINK fan) or a Lilies (Lisa’s fandom name), but I too felt that the stage production for each tour city’s fan meet was ‘insane.’

And while some may point out Lisa's sexy stage persona or dance choreography, I prefer to highlight her rockstar traits: the performer who consistently goes above and beyond.

Besides delivering amazing and heartfelt performances that left her fans with unforgettable moments, Lisa ‘served’ so much more.

In Singapore, she went the extra miles by bringing smiles and nostalgia by fulfilling fans' special requests—recreating iconic moments like the crab dance, the star dance, and her signature ‘eehee’ moment, which became legendary during her BLACKPINK days.

In Jakarta, Lisa went the extra mile with her empathy, personally making sure fans seated on the second and third floors—far from the stage—didn’t feel left out in the dance challenge, making everyone feel valued.

In Bangkok, Lisa sang Thailand’s native Loy Krathong song and also brought back her iconic Victoria’s Secret catwalk, thrilling Blinks and Lilies in her home country.

In Kaohsiung, Lisa made a 12-year-old costume contest winner’s night by bending down for a photo with her—a sweet gesture the amazed host even remarked on.

And in Hong Kong, despite not feeling well at the last stop of her tour, Lisa apologized but still gave her all to the 14,000 fans in attendance.

Her actions consistently reflect what she once said in an interview: “Whenever I see my fans, I just want to give better, give more.”

And ladies and gentlemen, that indeed spells ‘going the extra mile!’

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Going the Extra Mile Is the Way to Shine

I hope I won’t bore you with more examples from the tour events, but please bear with me a bit more. Interestingly, it wasn’t just Lisa who went the extra mile.

The Emcee: In Jakarta, the emcee practiced Lisa’s Rockstar dance and performed it on stage, earning a big applause from Lisa and cheers from the crowd.

The Local Government: In Kaohsiung, the mayor and city government even made special preparations to welcome Lisa back for the fan meet.

The Organizers & Artist Management: Knowing Lisa wasn’t feeling her best, they thoughtfully placed bottled water and tissues near the stage for her.

Another standout feature of the tour was the send-off sessions at every stop, where VIP fans had the chance to see Lisa up close, share smiles, and snap pictures. Not many event companies in Asia go this far to ensure such personal experiences, even for VIP ticket holders.

The Fans: And of course, the fans themselves are perfect examples of going the extra mile. Some traveled great distances just to attend, while others dressed up to participate in the red carpet contest.

One fan even went all out, dressing as a bright yellow star to perfectly match the event’s theme. Another creatively wore a sunflower bucket hat while holding a pot of lilies—such a beautiful tribute to Lisa’s love for sunflowers and her fandom’s name. Awww!!!

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The Reward for Going the Extra Mile

So, did all the extra effort pay off?

Indeed, and beautifully!

The Jakarta emcee, for example, received a heartfelt hug from Lisa in appreciation for his dancing effort and camaraderie. Ahem! 😎

In Kaohsiung, the mayor and city government that showed support for Lisa’s fan meet were rewarded with a local economy boost, with hotel bookings surging and heavy traffic—proof of the event’s success.

All the red carpet contest winners received signed CDs with close-up photos with Lisa, while the top winners additionally earned Polaroid photos. Unforgettable memories for all! 😍

And as for Lisa?

We already know Lisa's dedication to her fans creates a special bond of shared love and support, right?

It’s no surprise she won the Biggest Fans award at the 2024 MTV EMAs even before the tour began.

And during the tour in Bangkok, the Thai Lilies even sang a heartfelt song and presented lily flower cards to Lisa—a touching tribute symbolizing their unwavering love and support.

Lisa has also set an incredible record: she is the only K-pop soloist to achieve 100% sold-out fan meetups and tours, both as a solo artist and as part of BLACKPINK.

Her ALTER EGO album pre-orders signed CDs? They sold out in just 30 minutes—a feat few can match.

No wonder she’s often called the “Sold-Out Queen.” Even the Popmart Skullpanda knitted hat she wore during a Bubble livestream sold out on Taobao right after.

Lisa has also made history as the first-ever global cover star for Billboard, gracing 10 international editions.

Billboard itself declared, “It’s #LISA’s world, and we’re just living in it.”

Whoa! ✨

And the excitement doesn’t stop there.

Lisa is set to perform at Coachella 2025, and fans have already playfully dubbed it "Lisachella," expecting her to rock the stage like no other.

Now that’s the epitome of a rockstar—the result of going the extra mile!

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We Can All Be Rockstars Too

Rockstar status isn’t reserved for a select few. It’s available to anyone willing to put in the work and go the extra mile.

What Lisa teaches us goes beyond star power; it’s about putting in the extra effort in the key result areas (KRAs), or areas that matter, to achieve one’s key performance index (KPIs), goals and dreams.

Having clear goals, a strong sense of purpose (a Big 'Why'), a working and reliable system, decent personal branding and meaningful connections are all important foundations. However, to escalate to the next level—the Rockstar level—these must be reinforced with a ‘going the extra mile’ attitude, fueled by discipline, sacrifice, resilience, creativity, confidence, and a positive mental attitude along the way.

If we usually give an A effort, rockstars would push it at A + 1, A + 2, A + 3 or even more!

(Just make sure it’s ethical and never compromise our integrity, alright?)

Just like LISA, we too have it within us to reach higher, shine brighter and be ‘rockstars’ in our own right—in this world and the next. InsyaAllah.

The extra mile is where success happens.

The stage is ours. Go, Rockstars! 😊