In 2011 Pentatonix, an a capella powerhouse, came onto the music scene when they won Season 3 of the American reality TV contest, The Sing-Off. Since their TV win, Pentatonix has won two Grammys and is on their second world tour – selling out venues from St. Louis to Sydney to Seoul. Most people would agree, they have definitely figured out the secret to success that eludes so many.
They made it look easy. Grab your friends, go on TV (or hit it big on Social Media), create a gangbusters career.
They did what so many of us want professionally… to have that big project, the big break, the big article or big book that takes us from the shadows into the spotlight. Wouldn’t it make life and work so much easier to do the one thing that changes everything and not worry about all the other crap? Unfortunately, that’s a fairytale.
The release of Pitch Perfect in 2012 made a capella cool but let’s face it, beyond Pentatonix, it’s tough to rattle off famous a capella groups. How did Pentatonix do it if the fairytale isn’t real? What was their secret to success? I mean, there are about a bazillion insanely talented singers out there. Clearly, talent and passion are not enough.
If Passion Isn’t Enough, What’s the Secret to Success?
Recently, my son and I went to the Pentatonix show in Brisbane Australia. As a special treat for both of us, I also sprang for a VIP experience to go to their soundcheck and participate in a group Q & A session.
During the Q&A, one of the women in the crowd asked: “What advice to do you have for aspiring singers?”
A few of the group members had some solid answers:
“Don’t worry too much about your completion. Know what makes you special.”
Yup. Makes sense.
“Find your niche.”
Absolutely. Despite what we all want, nobody has “everyone” as their target customer.
Sounds like familiar advice, right?
That’s when the brilliant and talented Kevin (“K.O.”), shared the #1 secret to success (in my opinion, of course).
“It’s not enough to follow your passion. You have to be an entrepreneur. We’re on this stage today because it’s our business.”
BOOM.
It’s the secret to success that most people miss. Fact is, it shouldn’t be a secret at all. Passion matters but passion alone won’t pay the bills. The key is to take your passion with you as you create a thriving business.
I’ve worked with coaches who love coaching, they’re passionate about it, and can barely pay their utilities. They’d rather be coaching than working on their business.
I’ve coached writers who want more time for their craft and are downright annoyed when it comes to promotion.
[Tweet “Passion is one ingredient for success, not the secret sauce.”]
I’ve mentored managers within organizations who just want to do great work and would rather pull their hair out than engage in office politics or go to a conference or networking event.
I’ve facilitated workshops to help mid-level executives pull themselves out of out of their day to day work and move from daily doing to a business growth mindset.
I’ve advised professionals who did incredible work, were always heads down and insanely focused. They were also torn apart when they were passed over for promotion for the person who also did great work AND self-promotion.
It’s that age-old battle between working IN your business vs. ON your business.
[Tweet “Do what you love but tap into your business mindset to make it profitable.”]
Bottom Line:
If you want to dance with success…. you’ve got to cha-cha with your business, not only your skill set, sweet spot or passion.
Love that I had a blast with my son, went to a concert, rocked out to some great music, saw a fabulous show, and also got a reminder of what it took to get there up on that stage. Better concert memento than a t-shirt. Thanks, Kevin!
Never forget: No matter how it looks from the outside, success isn’t created thanks to a single moment but all the things that happen before and after too.
[Tweet “You may want an easy button but insta-success is fleeting.”]
PS. If you’re not familiar with Pentatonix, check out their Daft Punk music video – it currently has nearly 207 million views.
You make such a poignant argument for taking time to invest in the “not so sexy” parts of our professional lives in order to sustain ourselves. Passion can get us moving but then reality of how we can support ourselves sets in.
For me, blocking our time and setting professional goals to market and plan is critical. The presentation and training part is something I love, but I also know that bringing in new connections and business is part of my career choice.
Thanks Alli and will definitely share! So happy you and your son can have such fun together!
With you, Terri – blocking time is a great way to simply get it done. If we leave it until we have the time, it will never happen and business will definitely flatline.
Thanks, Terri!
Alli
Exactly, Alli. We need to do the work to make our passion come alive and produce. Also, by doing the work, our passion is fueled and may adjust as we learn-as-we-do. Jon
Ah, yes! We fuel our passion and our passion fuels us… Fuel isn’t always fun but always necessary.
Thanks, Jon!
Alli
Hi Alli,
First, thanks for introducing me to Pentatonic. I was not familiar with them. What fun and lovely music!
Second, the message here is spot on!
A friend of mine has earned the designation of Master Gardener, and gardening is his passion. Yet he is a technical manager at a company that develops mathematical computing software for engineers and scientists. When I asked him why he chose this career path over one in gardening, he said, “because gardening wouldn’t be my passion if I had to do all the things required to run a successful gardening business. I just want to garden – period.”
This thought process works for a former colleague who loves coaching and chooses to coach as a way to give back. She coaches at no charge to those who cannot afford to pay a coach. She said this approach enables her thrive on what she loves to do without the pressure to do all the things required to run a successful coaching business.
The message from these stories is that there are many ways to work a passion as separate and distinct from a career. But first one has to know oneself.
Will share.
Terri,
I love both of these stories. We don’t have to give up on our passions but do need to be realistic about the trade-offs. Ultimately, as long as it’s a choice, we’re in good shape. The worst is when we let the business part go and wonder why we’re struggling.
Glad you enjoyed the video/music too. Their talent, creativity, and energy always comes through. They’re one of my faves!
Grateful for your sharing here!
Alli
Really enjoy a capella and of course Pentatonix. Our grandson is in a group, Dragon Scales, at his school. As with the video you shared, a capella groups always seem to be having so much fun!!! That comes from their passion – and, I believe and your message here, their attention to their business. The last part of the video is probably almost as important as their music!
Many years ago, as a new research engineer, I had a subscription to one of those “how to succeed” free magazines so popular at the time. Don’t remember anything about it except their ‘tips to being a success’ in each one. In particular, the one that stuck with me all these years is “do work that will make your boss look good.” The idea was if your boss looks good, you will also. I’d always help my students remember there will be bosses that take all the credit but will eventually be found out…
Why mention this in these comments? Two thoughts: (1) Even Pentatonix have come bosses (e.g. recording executives) that recognize the group’s marketing efforts. And (2) making the boss look good is important even when Pentatonics are their own bosses!!!
How cool that your grandson sings a capella! I can sing but not consistently good enough with my pitch to do it anywhere other than my shower these days.
As far as the last part of the video – yes. So many people feel self-conscious about promoting themselves or their business. Truth is, to create something viable, it’s a must-do. However, it most definitely does not mean giving up on the fun (as they prove!)
So interesting what you wrote about making your boss look good too. We all have bosses of one sort or another!
Also, as a side note, one of my favorite managers sat me down early in my career and said, “I’ll bet you’ve heard that you’re supposed to make your boss look good. I believe it’s the boss’s job to make my team look good.” She was a great boss who cared a ton about my success, learning, and growth. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it too long with the company. It likely has to do with where she put the spotlight and ultimately forgot to include herself too.
Appreciate your comment and insights, John!
Alli
Great article full of practical advice! Too often we’re told to go pursue our passion, but I’m convinced that “passion” is as overused a word as “happiness.” Both hint of something wonderful and yet there are many layers to skim off the top before we get to the real essence of either passion or happiness. They’ve become sort of trite words because of it.
Thanks for the reminder that it takes more than an inkling of moving in the right direction—it takes planning, preparation, and strategy…
The way you describe it is a lot like coaching – we peel back the onion on the things we say we want until we get to the heart of what that really means.
Here’s to doing work that lights us up and enjoying the process too!
Thanks, LaRae!
Alli
GREAT article Alli! YEP! Passion isn’t everything! Being an entrepreneur for many years, it take a lot more…. There is a lot of strategy involved. Appreciate your leadership!
Without strategy, we’re just flinging spaghetti to see what sticks to the wall. It’s a key part of creating success and being laser focused as you well know.
Many thanks to you and all you do, Cindy!
Alli