If Genuinely Passionate in Whatever you do, you could be On the Pathway to Greatness.

By Mwangi Wanjumbi – Newtimes B. S. CEO & Chief Consultant/Trainer

One of the most commonly watched episodes in our house, is the annual talent search EABL  program branded as Tusker Project Fame. Nobody can dare watch anything else in the sitting room as long as the TPF is being televised. Right now, the 5^th edition is on course. Interestingly, the project has now included Burundi after having successively expanded to Southern Sudan last year.

So, it is time for fans to continue enjoying the unfolding events. But, that is not before having witnessed the auditioning drama exhibited by the numerous candidates; all claiming to have what it takes to temporarily occupy the Tusker Project Fame House in Nairobi. Only then would they have secured the coveted opportunity of training to become music (and sometimes dancing) heroes and heroines. Meanwhile, the auditions involved hunting for the house candidates within all the participating countries, a process whose captions had continually been televised.

In this 5^th Edition, my attention had been attracted by one participant from Burundi.  Though, I may not recall his name, I graphically recollect his pose and even the reaction by the judges. As the young man worked to impress the judges, he got into his own world of music, he turned of his ears, closed his eyes (not in prayer) as he concentrated in doing what he knows best – singing. Interestingly, the ever stern judge Ian Mbugua walked from his (judge’s) seat, and performed some theatrics, trying to distract the eccentric singer. Seemingly too carried away, the gentleman could not notice Ian Mbugua’s theatrics, being conducted right in front of him.

He was in his own world. Some motivational specialists would say that he was high on his act of singing. He was lost in it and nothing else mattered to him other than what he was doing. Surprisingly, his language was incomprehensible, but that was drowned by his commanding voice that could have left the listeners agape and lusting for more. When finished, he was requested to sing once more, but this time with eyes wide open, which he did. In unison, all the 3 judges gave him a nod to become an occupant of the Tusker Project Fame House in Nairobi.

One cannot fail to notice that this seemingly eccentric singer was driven by passion, an attribute that is elusive to most in the society. The authoritative Oxford English Dictionary defines passion in different ways. Let us in this case adopt the description to the effect that passion is great enthusiasm or enjoyment of something. It could be about work, relationships and even religion. Further, passion can be both positive and negative. We can for example hate something or somebody with a passion. Whatever the case, it still boils down to interest and enthusiasm.

That passion leading to being high in what you love doing could easily be confused with being drugged.  This is so because nothing makes life more enjoyable than when we are driven by passion. Nothing pays better dividends than a passion driven career, business or whatever vocation. One is able to derive invaluable and infinite job satisfaction. We are able to spend endless hours doing what we love best. We are even ready and willing to give away some of our time and energy towards the improvement of the welfare of the society.

Alongside, the same society (read the marketplace) is able to easily recognize our efforts and pay handsomely for the same. Indeed, we deliver unique value that puts the society in a situation of continually lusting for more and paying for the same. Furthermore, the same passion can be employed to sustain us even in difficult situations.

In the book titled Seeds of Greatness, Dennis Waitley tells a story of an American Soldier who was captured in the better forgotten Vietnam War. In captivity for many years, the soldier had no idea of when he will ever be released, if at all. Nonetheless, he decided to give meaning to his life, whatever the situation. The soldier happened to have been a passionate golfer during his better days in the military. He therefore turned to playing golf, only that this time he was doing it in his mind.

This soldier turned prisoner of war (POW) could imagine the days of teeing with his golfing buddies and passionately re-playing his best games, for many hours in his cell.  He could recall all the mistakes he made and passionately practiced to ensure that he does not repeat the same, the next time he meets the competition. That continued for all the years the POW was in captivity. Eventually, he was released in vibrant health and shape to the consternation of all those who knew his fate. Back home, he continued with life as if nothing had ever happened. Ideally, being continually high in golf had saved the now released soldier from succumbing to the agonies of being in prison.

The question is; what drives you in doing whatever you do for a living? Are you in love with it? Are you enthusiastic about it? Can you occasionally be said to be high on the same like the Tusker Project Fame House candidate? Can you, like this candidate or the American POW turn your back or disregard the world around, as you passionately do what you do for a living or occupation? Further, if freedom, money or rewards are removed from what you do for a living, would you continue doing the same like the American POW? If your answers are genuinely yes, to each one of the questions, count yourself lucky. The market place and the entire world are waiting to recognize and reward you. You could indeed be on your way towards greatness.