What Can We Learn from Elton John?

I have long been a fan of Elton John. Here is a rock god I can relate to.

I mean, we have so much in common. Okay, I am not white, male or English. Nor am I a global superstar, as far as I know.

Like me, he plays the piano.

Like me, he had a parent who was dead set against him becoming a musician. But unlike me, he refused to bow to the pressure.

And like me, he even wears glasses.

Whoever heard of a rock star that played the piano and wore glasses?

He broke the mould in many ways. He was one of the first superstar singer-songwriters. His dress sense is best described as unique. Of his past outfits, has been known to ask, "Did I actually wear that?".

He has been heavily influenced by African American forms including soul/R&B, boogie-woogie and even gospel. His music crosses the boundaries between many genres, including rock, pop, R&B and country, and he even experimented with Philly Soul, with mixed results. He can rock out one minute and sing a tender ballad the next.

Achieve success by emulating your hero.

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Billy Elliot, the stage musical for which Sir Elton penned the score, has walked away triumphantly with 10 Tony awards.

Sir Elton stated that he thought the American public had taken this musical to its heart because of the current economic decline. Billy Elliot is set during the 1980s, when Britain was suffering under Thatcherism, and depicts scenes from the miners' strike.

Sir Elton went on to add that he felt "despondent" at the thought of returning to Britain. With members of the BNP being elected here, who can blame him? America has its first-ever African American President in Obama.

Sir Elton reportedly wept tears of joy following Obama's election victory. David Furnish was quoted as saying Elton was "crying down the phone".

At the age of 23, Elton John suddenly achieved extraordinary fame. An extremely shy young man, he found himself invited to all the best parties and meeting some of his idols including the Beatles and George Best. He found it difficult to copes with social situations, and he found that cocaine gave him the confidence he needed to join in with the conversation.

I have tremendous admiration and respect for Sir Elton's honesty and courage.

Despite ongoing conflict with his father, he has honoured his talent and stuck to doing what he loves. As a young girl growing up, I found this very inspiring.

He has spoken candidly about the fact that, when he was heavily into cocaine, he did radio spots warning people against drugs.

His abuse of drugs and drink probably contributed to his throat problems. He can now no longer hit the high notes on such classics as Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road or Someone Saved My Life Tonight. It may also have been a factor in his having to have a pacemaker fitted.

Concerned about his weight, he developed bulimia.

He has beaten his addictions to alcohol and drugs, and been dry for over 18 years.

He revealed the fact that one of the most difficult things about being in rehab was that he didn't know how to use the washing machine and was too embarrassed to ask anyone.

Lessons learned: Be willing to admit when you have a problem, and be willing to ask for help.

David Furnish made a film, Tantrums and Tiaras, that showcased Elton's temper in a less than favourable light.

Elton reconciled with his father before the father's death.

One gets a sense of a superstar who is flawed, and sometimes vulnerable, and not afraid to admit it. I would argue this is also reflected in his music.

Although he had all the sex and drugs he wanted in his rock and roll lifestyle, he now uses his global fame and considerable fortune to help others.

Sir Elton recently named former Watford and England manager Graham Taylor as a gay icon for an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. He also named Caribbean pianist Winifred Atwell, whose performances he called "an inspiration".

Like many gay men, Sir Elton was conflicted about his sexual orientation for many years. He has admitted that he married Renate Blauel in 1984 in the hope that she would turn him straight. But he is now happily committed to his partner, David Furnish.

Sir Elton prefers the term "civil partnership" rather than marriage . He does not see the point of gay people being married. In the UK, unlike in the States, civil partnership confers the same legal rights and benefits as marriage.

Elton saw in the New Year for 2009 with a performance at the O2 in London. At the age of 62, he is still going strong.

Elton celebrated his 60th birthday with a performance at New York's Madison Square Garden, where he was introduced by former President Bill Clinton.

Elton is known for his flamboyance and his extravagance. Even during the glitter era, his outlandish outfits made him stand out.

He famously spent £40 million in one 20-month period which included £293,000 on flowers.

He is very generous to his friends. He is reputed to have a doorstop made from - a Faberge egg.

Well, it's really only bling, innit?

His '70s costumes are legendary. His dressing as the Statue of Liberty and Donald Duck demonstrates his ability to laugh at himself.

Sometimes listening to your favourite music can be a powerful way to lift your mood.

Elton's music always does it for me.

For more ways to lift your mood, visit Fabulous Success.

Sir Elton is rumoured to be involved in a book about writing letters to his former self, aged 13.

I am a firm believer in learning from, and being inspired by, the example of successful people. For more about this, see Do You Think Like a Success?

So what can we learn from Elton's success?

It's important to stay true to oneself. No matter how well-meaning our parents and other loved ones may be, we have to make our own decisions and honour our own integrity.

Celebrate your own uniqueness.

If you've got it, flaunt it. If you haven't, flaunt it even more!

Be willing to admit to your own mistakes, shortcomings and flaws.

Be willing to ask for help when you need it.

Forgive others when you can, and work towards reconciliation.

Look after your health.

Show your emotions. It's okay for a man to cry.

And above all, do what you can to help others, especially those less fortunate than you.

Have fun, and rock and roll!

In 1992, Elton John met a young boy who was dying of AIDS. This meeting was to change Elton's life. He met a family who were dignified in their suffering, and a young person who refused to blame others or poison his heart by carrying resentment. Elton subsequently founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

In Uganda, which is often held up as an example of leading-edge practice in treating HIV and AIDs, doctors are now finding the infection rate has gone up dramatically. This is because, for many years, the emphasis has been on treatment rather than prevention.

As Ben Franklin said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This is still true even though we have converted to metric. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is currently funding projects to help prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV, through sex education and health education.

In South Africa, mine workers are often still living and working in appalling conditions. For more on this, see Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom.

They are separated from their faimlies for many months of the year, and often use prostitutes, which contributes to the spread of AIDS.

For many years, AIDS workers in Africa have promoted a programme of A, B and C: Abstinence, Be faithful to your partner, use Condoms. But while people have practiced A and B, the C message has often been lost. Women have found that, although they are faithful to their partners, they still contract HIV because their partners are having unprotected sex with others. The fact that the Pope, on his recent visit to Africa, stated that people should not use condoms is unlikely to improve the situation.

Click here to donate to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.