I just saw Michael Jackson's "This Is It." There is no doubt that Michael was the King of Pop. Even as he neared fifty, the audience was in awe of his phenomenal agility, his high energy dance numbers, his dedication to perfection, and the great quality of his legendary voice. His life was certainly cut too short.

However, there are some take-aways from Michael's life that we can apply to our own.

Work as Play

As I looked at the rehearsal footage, it was clear that Michael had great fun designing this elaborate production. He had his hand in every aspect of it-- the design of the lighting and pyrotechnics, the selection of dancers, how the film was shot, and how his music was played--- not because he was a control freak, but because his passion for performance drove his interest. All throughout, we see Michael laughing and enjoying the process.

Even in it's unfinished state, Michael's grand vision was apparent. The show included an integrated texture of sights, themes and sounds---wailing ghosts and goblins, footage from classic movies, a lush video about protecting the rainforests, energetic, and almost unimaginable dance moves, complex lighting design, and countless imaginative costume changes--just to name a few highlights.

But the point I want to make is this: Work ceases to be work when you are pursuing what you love. When you're engrossed in your purpose, time stands still; people have reported working for hours, and yet it seemed like minutes to them. To them, work is an enjoyable and even playful experience. This is one wonderful byproduct of nurturing and expressing our passion.

Motivated to Give One Hundred and Ten Percent

Yes, I realized that I saw the best rehearsal footage from the movie, but "Oh, my God." I frankly would have paid a nice amount of money just to actually see Michael rehearse. As he was giving a pep talk to his staff he thanked them for their focus, and asked them to continue giving their hundred and ten percent. As one of the producers of the production, he modeled that. Footage after footage captures Michael's intensity and devotion to every aspect of the show.

His motivation, as he said several times in the movie was love--love for the craft which inspired excellence from Michael and his performers.

Can we be honest? Do you love your work so much that you're giving it your one hundred and ten percent each day? When people are aligned to, and are expressing their true purpose in life, oftentimes, we see feats of genius and heightened creativity as displayed in Michael Jackson.

On the other hand, we've all been the recipient of a worker who was cast in the wrong job. Have you ever experienced a cashier who lacked people skills? How irritating!

Frankly, I've seen teachers with credentials without the heart of a teacher. They were employees who punched the time clock, but who really didn't enjoy interacting with students.

To be the most effective, we need to identify and do our God-given assignments and exercise them one hundred and ten percent.

Adding Value to the Audience

In the final analysis, Michael seemed to understand the benefits he offered his audience through entertainment. He stated he wanted to provide "escapism" for people, and take them places they have never been.

Can you name the benefits you provide for your clientele and employees? If you can name the benefits you offer people, do these benefits you provide resonate with your value system, and authentic self? Know who you are and what YOU uniquely offer others, and both the giver of the gift, and the recipient wins.

Conclusion

For all of Michael's eccentricities and hardships, he nonetheless, possessed a treasured gift that he polished through determination and perfectionism. What can Michael teach us? Following your passion feels so enjoyable that it'll feel like play; that joy will motivate you to give one hundred and ten percent to your interests, and adding your unique value to your customers, friends and family is most meaningful.

Rosalind Henderson is a speaker, author and Peak Performance expert. She is the director and founder of Life Keys Unlimited, an organization dedicated to helping ambitious people such as, college students, stay-at home mothers, those transitioning into retirement and and those in dead-in jobs who want to reinvent themselves by identifying their passion, overcome self-imposed hurdles, and learning basic marketing skills which will enable them to make money off their God-given talents.

Please follow my blog "Passion Driven Wealth" at http://www.passiondrivenwealth.blogspot.com Please sign up for my newsletter: "Way of Success at http://www.rosalindhenderson.com

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