“Stay hungry ” they say

It’s a beautiful Wednesday morning and the time is 02.20 am. As a writer I have terrible sleeping habits. At first I used to blame it on my first job having worked in the call centre that catered for Americans but I left that industry donkey years ago and to date I am still struggling with adjusting to sleeping the “normal hours” so occasionally I work if not write.

The weather today has been great. It has been raining predominantly the while day , yet right now that has all mellowed down and it’s peaceful and mildly a bit chilled. I have just bid my niece goodnight and I figured this is the best time to share a few thoughts.

If you have ever listened to any interviews or watched the Master classes conducted by Oprah Winfrey almost all the world’s legendary and successful individuals say “stay hungry or stay humble”. This obviously comes from learnt lessons and wisdom. How does one stay humble or hungry?

Indulge me a little bit and allow me to take a detour and make an example. I once had the privilege to work on the set of a movie directed by an Award winning Director who was based in France. My client recommended me for a wardrobe assistant position. She thought it would be great experience since I had already done the training as a Stylist. The first week went by very well and I was learning a lot plus I received great exposure to well known actors such as Luthuli Dlamini, Weza Solange , Lucia Mthiyane and the great Director Akin Omotoso.

In the second week the production faced a major setback with the Wardrobe Manager resigning in the middle of a production. This was a disaster and we had limited time to finish the movie. The Director asked me if I can do hair , make up and styling for the week? I was anxious and darn nervous because I did not conceptualize the original wardrobe ideas and had not even sourced any clothing for the cast. I could have said no, especially to hair and make up but I was hungry to be the best and learn from the entire experience. Some days I found myself catering for the cast and doing the dishes after lunch. I considered those to be errands and almost had a “I am better than this moment” till I remembered that I had not earned my stripes to feel or say that. My objective was to immense myself in the experience and learn as we as connect so doing errands and dishes occasionally was a much less task in exchange for what I had to learn.

Every industry will push and pull you in certain directions and in the beginning it’s important to earn you stripes and build your way up. Walk the walk and earn the right to talk first.

Many people become comfortable after achieving the goals they have set and dangerously so they also become less determined to stay on the pathway of success . Everything soon becomes familiar and without innovation or a strategy you become settled in the little you have achieved. These folks start to remind us who they are as if someone forgot. Humility is a conscious effort. It is something you have to learn and repeat as many times as possible until it’s imbedded in you. Basically never allow yourself to have #IhaveMadeIt moment. Quick and short momentary celebrations are great so you acknowledge yourself but once you are done come back to earth and continue again on the same pathway till the next “it moment”.

I work with a lot of celebrities in my line of work. Two of them have a very interesting principle they live by. Being high profiled they are obviously well known and at times we may be in a mall or at a garage when someone recognises them. They pretend to be surprised and in some cases even deny that they are famous.While many celebrities will enjoy and marvel at the opportunity they have maintained that this is what keeps them humble. Obviously it’s exciting to go anywhere in SA and be recognized even on the street but they control their reaction so that they never allow the fame to get to their heads, yet here you are you have been made a Manager of small corporate company and you have started to behave as if you manage the whole state. Your head is now filled with the success bug you don’t even greet the security guard at work or treat the tea lady as an employee. Just that small taste of victory you have lost your humility marbles somewhere.

Pride is an obstacle that also hinders us in personal development.To stay hungry requires a high degree of humility and wisdom. The higher the vision or calling the more it ceases to be about you and in that regard it is key to consider how your attitude also impacts the people who follow you as well as the ones under your leadership.

Although it is a minor contribution I certainly hope you are inspired and reminded to stay humble and hungry. Consider learning new ideologies around your industry and stay connected with people on the grout so you can consistently add value and stay relevant. If you are eager to learn and adapt every single time the wheels change you stand a chance of having staying power in your industry.