Expectedly the star of the series is Star, with all of
her drama, fire and spirit. But my favourite character has remained Jahil, a
washed-out music talent-manager, always looking for who to sell “the next big
thing!”, and often coming close to mainstream success, but having it slip
through his fingertips.
 |
| Benjamin Bratt as "Jahil" in Star |
But everyone in the show acknowledged him as a ‘hustler’,
and for some reason, even though he worked genuinely hard, this was not always
made in the most positive light; he attracted scorn with the use of the
description.
Why? Is being a hustler a bad thing??
While more conventional (online) dictionaries such as Oxford
and Cambridge see a hustler as a person who “tries to trick another into giving them money”, a hustler is also
defined in other sources as a street-smart person, working hard to make ends
meet by “using his smarts, and outcunning
everyone out there” (www.urbandictionary.com)
(Sounds familiar?)
Keeping it real… a lot of us would well fall into this
latter definition of hustler, especially in today’s business world where
certificates simpliciter no longer
suffice to keep one ahead in their chosen field.
A hustler is that person who is always one step ahead of
everyone else, finding the next untapped potential, and turning it into a
thriving business opportunity.
Argue all you want, keeping one’s head well above water in
the business world requires being a (well-bred) hustler. For example, people
like me, who new to a particular environment, will put themselves out there to
sell their exceptional products, services or skills, in order to compete
equally with other professionals in their field, and carve out their own niche.
In case you missed the memo, “Networking”, “Entrepreneurship”,
“Consultant”, “Contractor” and even “Politician” are all bourgeoisie euphemism for describing the art of hustling.
You know that inventor always looking to sell a new
invention, or app?? That too is a
hustler.
So hustling - or being a hustler - is not a bad thing in
itself, per se.
But…
(You knew the ‘but’ was coming… right?)
There are ways you can go about your hustling, which would ensure
it is a totally good thing, and not subject you to the scorn and derision with
which Jahil was always met.
For starters, your hustle has to be legit.
I mean, this goes without saying that if you are known to
hustle in things that would pit you against the law (or your side-hustle is
pseudo-illegal), you would be a pariah, and a lot of legal businesses would
want to have nothing to do with you.
Even if your hustle is legit, do not be like Jahil and
maintain a rather unattractive personal lifestyle, which could invariably
affect your professional hustle, and make potential investors or business associates
question if they want to be associated with you.
Secondly (and equally important), you have to gain integrity
in your hustling i.e. ‘street-cred(ibility’).
In other words, it is okay for example, to be that Nigerian
contractor who is always looking to execute one contract or the other. But also
build a reputation around yourself, and ACTUALLY execute your contracts, to the
standards promised in your proposal.
It is not enough for you to “network” (or hustle) your way
into a job. You cannot network through your career. You have to actually bring the goods, i.e.
know the stuff for which you are employed, or build that knowledge on the job.
For you to gain credibility through your hustle, you have to
develop actual substance. The hustle may only get you a foot in the door. But
it is the substance of the products or services you are selling which will
guarantee you a permanent seat at the table.
Finally, as a hustler, you need to know when to stop
hustling, and consolidate on the acquired fruits of your hustle. You need to
know when to stop chasing shadows or “the next big thing”, as this could affect
your focus on things you already have on your plate.
(Remember that proverb about the bird, and the hand, and the
bush??)
Sean Combs. JayZ. Bill Gates. Steve Jobs. Oprah. They all
were hustlers at one point or the other. But they knew the right time to stop
hustling, and consolidate on what they had attained, even diversifying when
necessary.
This does not imply that you do not exploit avenues for
improvement or development. Rather, do not place your sights so narrowly on
(unguaranteed) future ‘deals’, that you fail to adequately develop the ones
sitting squarely in your laps already.
Calm down.
You got through the door. You got your product out there.
Now, develop your product or services into something formidable.
Grow your brand. Grow your personality also. Build your
empire from your hustling, and make it as attractive as possible.
Then, let the hustle come to you. Let investors, employers,
clients be the ones to seek after you, based on your proven track record of
delivering on your products/services, and the niche you have carved for
yourself.
And when you recognize young (legit) hustlers just like you
once were, just smile to yourself, and provide some mentorship/guidance to them
when you can.
But you cannot forever aim to just be a hustler, if not, you
would be doing yourself a huge disservice, and limiting yourself in a world of
otherwise limitless possibilities.
Be more than a hustler; be phenomenal.
Now that you have read this, go and hustle properly.
And may the odds be in your favour!
Paz,
Meg.
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Photo-credit: Wilford Harewood/Fox
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