The media is flooded with interviews of successful people meant to inspire us. Successful in this case is very much debatable as people who are photographed in a queue carrying githeri or those who happen to be scandalous are considered successful.
However, for the purpose of this discourse, let’s assume for a minute that a successful person is one who has accomplished greatness in his craft.
Now, whenever a successful person is being interviewed you will notice that there is an attempt to find out the habits of the individual.
The questions revolve around what time the individual wakes up. What does he like. Does he have a girlfriend. What kind of underwear does he wear. How does he tie his shoes. What is his favorite colour. Which team does he support. How does he wipe his behind.
The focus is on the fluff and salacious details.
And you will notice that the interviewee indulges the interviewer with frivolous tales and answers that are crafted to paint an image of grass to grace.
Of course, the viewers like such ‘content’. For what we seek, is not inspiration but entertainment.
The habits, likes and dislikes are told to us so that we mimic them.
But you see, the habits of a person are not the cause, but a symptom of something within him.
A running nose is a symptom of a virus within the body.
An attempt to have a running nose misses the point by a mile.
Life is life
Fabio is a Mental health professional, researcher and Lecturer of Psychology at Kenyatta University.