Passion is the beginning. Life is a game of chess in which each of us play a role. Some of us are pawns. Some are knights. Regardless of our current station in life, we all share one common drive – to become the King or Queen of our respective domain. However, success comes with hard work, and proper direction. In order to become a Power Player, you must have the desire and the determination to succeed. There are certain characteristics shared by successful people, and if you want to join the club, you got to “Be like Mike!”
As a Corporate and Entertainment Lawyer, I have had the opportunity to represent hundreds of people. Many of whom are in the public eye, but only a few would meet my definition of a “Power Player”. A Power Player is an individual that, no matter where they began their journey in life, be it in the “Hood” or Forest Hill, has excelled in their chosen profession.
They are the cream of the crop in their respective fields, and they all share one thing in common, Passion! It is the key to their success. Be they a celebrity chef, professional athlete or a financial whiz, successful people share a love and passion for the substance of their career.
Just think of any of the world’s “most successful” people. Close your eyes and place three people into your mind, and you will be hard pressed to separate passion from profession. I speak from experience when I tell you that Sean “P. Diddy” Combs loves music. It travels through his veins. The same way, Lebron James, dreamt of being a Basketball star. Donald Trump lives by investing in Property Development and Barbara Walters breathes Journalism. The list goes on and on. Each of these individuals has a passion for their respective field. Their love has propelled them to learn everything about it, and their passion fuels them to indulge themselves in it constantly.
It is through my interactions with successful and talented entrepreneurs, that I have discovered this simple key to success. True Power Players submerse themselves in the one thing they love. They establish a career in it! It was Confucius who said, “If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life.” All of my successful clients live and breathe this philosophy. They have discovered success through the pursuit of happiness. In many ways, these same people are already retired.
To discover our passions in life, we must simply observe the things that come most natural to us. Given the opportunity, we all gravitate towards the things in which we find enjoyment. The activities you engage in during your “off time” and the books and magazines you read are all indicators of your interests. By seeking a career that engages in these activities, you give yourself an advantage over your colleagues, and a competitive streak, that can only propel you to the top of your field. It should always be remembered that the Power Player’s are not born…they are made. The start of your journey towards success begins with the simplest thing of all. Passion.
“Eb Reinbergs is a Corporate and Entertainment Lawyer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He specializes in the representation of successful, talent, events and entrepreneurs. He is often referred to as the “the man … behind the man … behind the man.”
