WeeklySA_AdminPURPOSE: Talent with zero effort won’t make you the greatest of all time…
By Billy Selekane
What is the essence of life, really, and is what we accumulate what we become and how do we impact or add value to the lives of others? These are the questions that tend to roll around my head when I look at how we live, as people.
We live in exceptionally noisy times, in which social media has become a fake and sad barometer for success. I, for one, am a travel-hardened soul, who has learned the ways and wiles of the world by routine, trial and error and from having humbly received the inductions of countless mentors, while I have also objectively shared ideas with my peers. So, what would you say is your essence? What is your unique story? Which dreams are you chasing? And what keeps you awake, inspired or worried about tomorrow, for the good of other around you?
While I was working in more than 55 countries around the world, as a public speaker, meaningfully interacting with ordinary men and women, CEO’s, major sports personalities, billionaires and so on, the hardest question that most of these people have always asked themselves, is: “I am I living an intentional and impactful life, according to my gifts and talents?”
This brings me to the mystery of the day, regarding this strange and yet powerful Japanese concept, which is known as the Ikigai. In Japanese, “iki” means life, and “Gai” describes value or worth, and the two words – “Iki” and “Gai” – combined, allude to one’s value in life. Simply put, the Ikigai concept asks the question about “your reason for being”.
This relates more to why you find yourself on planet earth, at this time, in this age – what I prefer to call your “Celestial Assignment” – or what we you may have been sent, here, on earth, to solve or create, and boldly saying, through your talents and actions: “I am living an intentional and impactful life, according to my gifts and talents”; realising “my reason for being”, or I am realising my “Celestial Assignment”.
There are four profound questions you may need to ask yourself to be able to understand your Ikigai, or be able to realise your reason for being:
One, what do you love doing?
Two, does the world around you need what you do or what you can offer? Three, will you be paid for your love and passion?
And, four, are you the best at what you do?
Each one of us would be fulfilled and impactful if we were inspired and allowed to do what we love. This could be working as a motor mechanic, baker, singer, write, etcetera. Elon Musk, Albert Einstein, Tyler Perry, Clarence Avant, the late Dr Nthato Motlana and Dr Richard Maponya are among the people who found and exercised their passions and had a positive impact on humanity. You are no different.
While not discounting education, you may not have noticed that the highest paid people in the world are not the ones with MBAs, Master’s Degree and PhDs. Musk comes from humble background and modest educational attainments. As a professional speaker, I also started at the bottom, and I was mostly laughed at by others, who believed that I was a dreamer. From my early twenties to my mature 55 years on earth, I am still a dreamer who works hard to make other people’s dreams to fruition through inspiration, motivation and mentoring. But nothing exasperates me more than mediocrity. You cannot reach the top level of whatever field you may choose unless you are willing to expend the hours. And, unless you are willing to put in the work, do not expect to ascend the podium to collect the coveted price.
The greatest debate in the soccer circles is always about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as to who, between them, is the “GOAT” – as in the greatest of all time? It is a fact that Messi is the talented of the two. However, Messi is not the hardest working of the two. Ronaldo is a workhorse and has been successful in England, Spain, Italy and, then, he is back again in England and he is still carrying Manchester United, once again. Messi is struggling in Paris, for Paris Saint-Germain, because he is holding on to his talent only. For you to make an impact and reach that level of optimal impact in whatever your assignment is, on planet earth, I am urging you to pursue your IKIGAI, your reason for being, to make yours a story worth sharing, for generations to come. E
Biographical Box Billy Selekane is a published author, internationally-acclaimed motivational speaker, personal, team and organisational effectiveness specialist. He is the head of Billy Selekane and Associates, a leadership development organisation with branches in Australia, Middle East, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom and United States. Selekane is a former president of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa. Selekane is a popular regularly featured inspirational voice on several radio and television platforms.
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