Does Success Require Misery?

On Turning Passion into Prosperity

Do what you love and the money will follow. 

Most of us have heard this phrase before. And to many, it seems like a utopian fairy tale. 

You might think, “I’d love to follow my passions, but there’s no way I could support my family doing X.” 

In Africa right now, it may be impossible because of the dreadful business environments there.  But for those of us in nations with higher quality business environments, such opportunities do exist.  

Many of us have been conditioned to believe that we don’t have the luxury of doing what we love. We’ve internalized the idea that we have to stick to the beaten path, toil at jobs we despise, and leave our passions for the weekends. 

That’s great if all you’re looking for is survival. But if you want to truly prosper, then you have to overcome all that conditioning. 

Following your passions isn’t the stuff of fairy tales and daydreams. It’s the secret sauce of success and prosperity. 

Do you think that Elon Musk plays it safe all the time? 

Do you think that Steve Jobs held himself back from pursuing his dreams? 

Do you think that any successful entrepreneurs—whether they’re at the helm of major corporations or SMEs—told themselves they couldn’t do it? 

Prosperity requires confidence (and a great business environment)

It requires you to step beyond the boundaries of “can’t” and “shouldn’t” so you can forge into the unknown.

I'm not saying it's easy. Heck no! It's going to be tough. It's going to be grueling. 

Jerry Seinfeld—comedian, actor, writer, and master of his craft—once said, "Find the type of torture you're in love with." 

He’s right. You should find a passion you love SO much that you’d be willing to do it even though it feels like torture sometimes. 

Why? Because when work feels like play, you can stick with it for the long haul. You can put in the hours, the sweat, the tears, and the heartaches without feeling drained. You can grow, improve, and—slowly but surely—become a master of your craft. 

When you find the type of torture you’re in love with, the grueling becomes gratifying. 

So ask yourself: what did you grow up doing? What ignites that spark in you? What is that one thing you could do all day, every day, and never get tired of?

Once you've found your answer, embrace it. Pursue it relentlessly. Share it with the world. And watch as the universe rewards you with not just survival, but prosperity. 

And here’s the best part. Pursuing your passions isn’t just about creating prosperity for yourself. It’s about igniting a chain reaction of growth and prosperity. When you do what you love, when you become a master at it, you inspire others. You empower others to shed their inhibitions, to follow their hearts, and to unleash their true potential.

Let’s remember this lesson as we strive to build a brighter, more prosperous future in Africa. Let’s create a world in which those of us who are more fortunate experience joy while working to create a vibrant economy across Africa.

Imagine for a moment a whole generation of young Africans following their passions, becoming masters at their crafts, and inspiring others to do the same. 

Can you picture it? Isn't it a beautiful sight? That's the dream we are chasing. That's the dream we're building—one passion, one skill, one master at a time. 

Let's encourage our youth to pursue their passions, become masters of their crafts, and share their gifts with the world. Because only then can we truly unlock the untapped potential of our continent. 

When we turn our passions into prosperity, Africa will shine brighter than ever before.