Stop Settling for 'Good Enough' | Pink's Rules in 12 MINUTES

I do care. I care a lot, and that's why I fight back. As long as I'm alive, there'll be more to say. Just finding out what people's favorite thing is, what they're reacting to. Now my anger is very focused. I would like to leave a footprint. I think it's important to try everything.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!

What's up, Believe Nation? It's Evan. My one word is believe, and I believe that you have the ability to do something special that can change the planet. Planet. So to help you on your journey today, we're going to learn from 3-time Grammy Award winner Pink and my take on her top 10 rules for success. Rule number 4 is my personal favorite, and I'd love to know which one you guys like the best.

You've been very outspoken, and I saw you with your daughter at the VMAs. I thought it was, it was just amazing.

There's just always There is so much work to be done, and I talk about these things because I've lived them. I've been through— there hasn't been a day that has gone by that someone hasn't said something nasty about me. It's not that it doesn't hurt me or that I'm invincible or that I don't care. I do care. I care a lot, and that's why I fight back. What do you feel is kind of the next step for you in your career when you've already achieved so much? I think I would like to be a country singer.

Yep.

No, I don't know. Um, I still to this day, after all of that nonsense, um, I still feel like I have so much to prove to people. People still don't get it. I'm always gonna feel like a really popular underdog. Um, people to this day still go, wow, you can sing, and it's been like 13 years of just singing. So there will always be, as long as I'm alive, there will be more to say, I think. I don't know what that is exactly, but as long as my body can keep up with my mind, then I'll be alright. My favorite part about giving my baby, not my Willow, but my baby, my other baby, my album away, is just waiting for the feedback, you know, from the fans on the website and just from friends and different people. Well, most of my friends, I have to like give them an album and then let them know I put it out because they don't really care. But just finding out what people's favorite thing is, what they're reacting to, and what the feedback is, that's the fun part.

Let me ask you something. As somebody who makes their living as a performer, as an artist, as a singer, as a songwriter and all that, what do you want to get out of this whole thing? Like, what do you want out of this?

Um, well, I kind of already did all the things I said I was going to do when I was a little girl. Be famous, piss people off.

Yeah, you must have been a real treat at 12, huh?

You would have been real fun. Um, now I used to be angry at the world. Now my anger is very focused. I would like to leave a footprint And if I can help inspire other people to be individuals and stand up for what they believe in and be who they are, then I did my job. And sometimes inspiration is what is the most important thing, is what we need to get moving. And our country needs to get moving. I think the reason why I have such an authentic relationship with— I don't even like the word fans, but with people. Is because I am being honest and I am being vulnerable and I am talking about real life and my real life and kind of wearing all my flaws visibly. So it's helped me feel less alone.

You started working with, for a little time, with these bands called Basic Instincts and Choice, right?

Yeah.

What could be like the biggest lesson of that time?

Um, I'm a chameleon. I think it's important to— I mean, I trained classically, I sang gospel in all-black churches, and I had a punk band. I think it's important to try everything. And I don't— I mean, I play drums, but my voice is my instrument, so it's important to use it in every way that you can to get better, you know. Don't be narrow-minded. And that's what being indifferent— I mean, Basic Instinct, I was the token white girl, and Choice was this white R&B group, and, you know, it was just a lot of different things. It was really good for my resume. The way that you walk on that stage is the outcome you're gonna get. I mean, I've had shows, back-to-back shows in the same place, same lineup, almost basically the same audience, And the first night I've walked on feeling insecure and I've had the worst show of my life. And it's all in here. And then the second day I'm like, well, screw that. I don't want to do that again. What's the worst that can happen? It can't be worse than that. And I go on not caring as much and I have the best show of my life. So it's just a— it's a head game. So you kind of just— my dad tells me to throw my head back, spit in the wind and show him what I got. So that's what I do. I have always said that pain, frustration, and anger, sadness, it's all just motivation to write. I think when I'm happy, I'm useless. I mean, I just think the best work comes from heartbreak or devastation or loss or insanity. Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself, will it ever get better than today?

You all saw Pink's performance at the Grammys, right?

Oh my goodness.

I mean, literally, I was just saying to the audience, I had to get closer to my TV to see what was actually happening. That was a jaw-dropping, ceiling-hanging, almost naked, ripped body situation. All I can say is wowie kazowie. Everybody all over the world next day was like, did you see that? Did you see that?

It was fun. It was a good night for me.

Was it a good night?

Yeah.

I was going to ask—

that was one of my first questions to you because all of us have in our lives, you know, momentous occasions, like a moment of your life that one of the greatest moments of your life. Do you think that will always be?

I think so. I think so. For me, yeah, it was when everyone stood up at the end. I came down just— I know my silks, and I was working it. And then I let the silks go, and everyone stood up. And I went from super graceful to like— Wow. Hi, LL. Wow. What did it feel like?

It felt transcendent. It felt like taking us out of something more than just the music but into the music.

And I wanted to get all the famous people wet.

I remember seeing Pink at Brixton Academy, and I was— it was the Misunderstood record, so I was about 13 or 14, and I'd never heard live, like being in the room with someone, I'd never heard someone sing like that live. I mean, because I was— before that I was into the Spice Girls and stuff like that, and they can't sing, obviously, you know, I know that now. I remember just sort of feeling like I was in a wind tunnel and her voice just hitting me, and I mean, I was just It was incredible. I mean, it was beyond anything. And that record is incredible anyway. But it was my first experience of like thinking, "Fuck me, that's a fast-ass fucking singer." I mean, live, you know. Because, you know, the singers before that was like Etta James, and I've never seen them not live.

I was at the Grammys in 2010 when Pink did this stunning rendition of her ballad "Glitter in the Air." The performance was one of the most physically courageous and beautiful things that I've ever witnessed. But there was this one moment when she was lowered into water and then lifted back above the whole audience. And she's really like just gushing water all over these suddenly scrambling uber-serious VIPs down below. And I remember watching this and thinking that this is the most badass punk rock thing that I've ever seen in music.

Like you instead. So complicated, look how we all make it. It's filled with so much hatred, such a tired game. It's enough, I've done all I can think of, chased down all my demons. I've seen you do the same. Oh, oh, pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel like like you're less than, less than perfect. Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel like you're nothing. You are perfect.

The whole world's scared, so I swallow the fear. The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer. The pool in line, we try, try, try.

We try so hard, it's a waste of my time.

Looking for the critics 'cause they're everywhere. They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair. Exchange ourselves, we do it all the time. Why do I do that? Why do we do that? Why do—

yeah, yes, you're perfect. Oh, you're perfect to me. Yeah, oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yes. Pretty, pretty please, don't <LYRICS>Do you ever, ever feel like you're nothing? You are perfect to me.</LYRICS> Thank you guys so much for watching.

I made this video because Mr. Lucas Desparo asked me to. If there's someone you'd like to vote on for the next top 10, check out the link in the description and go and have your say. Finally, I want to give a quick shout out to Stephanie Noel. Stephanie, thank you so much for picking up a copy of my book, Year One. Word and tweeting about it. I really appreciate the support and I'm so glad that you enjoyed the book. So thank you guys again for watching. I believe in you. I hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is. Much love. I'll see you soon.

I'm always trying to be better, whether it's performance or songwriting. I think vocally I'm a lot better because I don't smoke anymore. So, um, I just try to not repeat myself and try to evolve and try to just get better. Find a quiet inner strength and hold on to it. Life can be fabulous if you stick it out. And I know that seems impossible sometimes when you're young, but I was just there. I feel like yesterday I was 13, hating my life, contemplating suicide, and I found a passion and a hobby, and I pursued it with blinders, and anyone that didn't like it could kiss my entire ass. And they still can. So take my strength, take my heart, take everyone in here's strength, and just keep the fight alive. Keep going.