Many people have the habit of venturing into a business, career, profession and the likes just for the sake of making money.

Finance is important, but individuals often miss it if making money is their core priority. There is a danger that if their income is less than they expect, then, their business, profession or career becomes a liability.

Rather than focussing just on filling a bank account why not commit fully to that about which we are passionate and allow the money flow to follow. Let us not put the cart before the horse.

When we put passion before profit, we can enjoy the ride! For example, consider the success of Linda Ikeji, a multi-million Naira entertainment blogger. Her passion for writing gossip columns, inspired by another blogger, Bella Naija, paved her road to success. However, it took her four-years to become the renowned blogging face of Nigeria. Her passion led to profit!

A past classmate, Hassan Rilwan is now the Group Managing Director at Focal Point Drycleaners and publisher of Sardauna Magazine. Hassan was the youngest student in our class and, as a 16-year-old he would dash to a restaurant he co-owned with a friend – he wanted to ensure everything was shipshape. In an interview with the Sun newspaper, he shared his philosophy – the passion gave him the determination to succeed despite the odds. Today, Hassan Rilwan is one of Nigeria’s youngest successful entrepreneurs – after 12 years of dedicated commitment to his passion for service.

On a global perspective, we have the likes of late Steve Jobs, Apple’s Ex CEO. According to him, “people with passion can change the world for the better”. His passion grew the Apple tree and then the cash flowed. It is surprising to know that his passion started way back in 1976 but today his passion has set the world up for a more prosperous and technologically advanced future.

Mark Zuckerberg, the young billionaire who has changed the world of online communication suggests that, if you follow your happiness but do not end up making money, you will nevertheless enjoy doing what you love. Putting passion first is the way forward. 

Why do many teachers and lecturers stick to poorly paid jobs? Why do those who help prepare others to tackle future challenges persevere despite facing disruptive and lazy students, poor administrative support and heavy workloads? For many, their passion comes first before their pay packet.

Let us ponder on the success of Chris Gardner, a one-time homeless man turned multi-millionaire stockbroker, whose motivation at first was money. However, his passion in doing what he enjoyed resulted to his success. He declared, “find something you love to do so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again”. His passion was the horse that pulled the cart! 

Recommendations to consider

• The monetary success of others followed years of their commitment to their passion that eventually made them wealthy. Passion can endure the pain that often comes before gain! Surround yourself with successful people. If you are not able to have access to them, then read about their success stories.

• Your passion that enshrines business ideas is not dependent on ready capital or a financial crisis. When life gives you lemons, why not make a lemonade! The Founder of Stellanico, Stella Idoko, a winner of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) competition, a lawyer turned entrepreneur had a passion. Her passion was homemade beauty products and her ideas (Anistel Virgin Cocoanut Oil), written on paper gave her access to the competition – the rest is history! Money followed after her passion and not before.

• Therefore, put your ideas on paper, submit them to the litmus test of trial and error and allow your passion to drive you forward to the deserved success!

• Let us all take note of the truism, “the love of money is the root of all evil” whereas the love of our passion is the sensible way to financial security 

Recommendation to the Government – three thoughts to ponder

• Enact legislation to allow undergraduates employment on a part time basis in private and public establishments

• Most minimum wage jobs in Western countries are not necessarily certificate-dependent but focus on experience and an individual’s right to work (some do not require experience as the new entrants are trained).

• Currently, CVs of graduates from Nigerian higher institutions only have educational qualifications listed on them. Brilliant ideas must first emanate from somewhere, so government should enable this opportunity to allow Nigeria’s young people to support themselves and contribute to national growth and also grow their passion that could add to Nigeria’s future prosperity

In summary, success for the future rests in the hands of young people committed to their passion – the building block to success that brings financial return.