Once a month, I’ll be interviewing individuals that dream big, pursue their dreams, live a conscious life, value themselves and are pursuing success on their own terms. I’d like us to learn from them, to see how like us they are or how they differ from us. For us to see what we can do differently or continue to do to pursue our own dreams and success. This month I was fortunate to be able to interview Joyce Mutangara.
Joyce Mutangara is a woman who wears many hats, as a wife, mother, pastor, legal adviser, writer, speaker and strengths coach. She is someone we can learn from because she manages to play all these roles whilst pursuing her dreams.
Where are you originally from and where do you currently live?
I am originally from Tanzania in East Africa. I moved to Zimbabwe in the early 1980s and started grade 1 in Harare. My family and I then moved to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 5 years ago, after a 6 year stint in Mozambique.
What are you working on or focused on at the moment?
I am a strengths coach, so I’m always doing stuff to keep up to date with the tools of my trade. I’ve just finished a series of podcasts called ‘Renewing the Mind’ based on Romans 12v2. I love to encourage people to live their best lives. Recently, I have started to write articles and have received some positive feedback. I’m enjoying this journey of improving ways of communication.
What made you decide to start doing what you’re doing?
I became a strengths coach because I believe we should all be using our God given talents, and most of us need help. I studied for a law degree, but hated legal practice. For a very long time I was frustrated because even though I knew I didn’t like to practice law, I was not sure what I could do that I would not only like, but be good at as well. I then got to do the Clifton Strengths assessment that clarified the strengths I have, which were largely dormant, which explains why I was frustrated. I just wasn’t using my talents at work. The thought of many others in the same boat as me made me decide to do something to help them as well, so I got certified as a strengths coach.
Do you have dreams, goals or a vision for your life?
My vision is to see Africa being transformed into a credible, caring, trustworthy and inspiring continent. My part in achieving this is to coach Africans to be the best leaders in the world.
How are you keeping the above alive?
I have a vision board with pictures and words that depict my vision. Seeing it every day is a great reminder. Also, thinking about the kind of future I want my children to have motivates me to do my part.
Have any of your dreams or goals come true or been achieved?
To date, I have coached and encouraged hundreds of professionals, especially in the financial sector. Everyone wants to have a meaningful life that matters. I get to help people to see that their lives do matter!
On a personal front, I had goals to marry a man that had his own relationship with Jesus, and raise inspiring children who would be great friends of mine, these I have realised as well.
What does success look like for you?
Doing what you love, and it taking care of you!
What drives you in life? What keeps you going?
The fact that I’m still alive, means there is more for me to do and experience. I believe God when He says He has a plan to give me hope and a future. Therefore, I am very curious to see all that God has for me.
How long have you been married?
I have been married for 17 years.
Briefly, how did you meet your husband?
I met my husband, Clarence, at a church called River of Life in Harare. He was rapping on stage with his brother on the first night of a church plant in the Avenues. My sister introduced us, and the rest is history.
Do you have children?
We have 3 children; Bethany 15 years old, Amani 11 years old and Panashe 9 years old.
How do you balance being a wife, mother and pursuing your dreams?
By making my family a part of it all. They are right there in my dreams too. Whatever I achieve, the benefits are for us all. I share with them my goals and aspirations, and they have become my greatest cheerleaders. I believe a mistake a lot of women make, is they separate their dreams from their family, as if the family is the enemy. Or, they feel guilty for even having dreams that don’t have anything to do with preparing food, school runs and decorating their home! Our children need to understand that it is wonderful to dream and chase those dreams, and who is the best role model for that truth? Our children listen to what we do more than what we say. You can’t tell them to go for their dreams while you sit on yours. We also need to be honest with our husbands from the get go. We must share our dreams with them, and only marry them if they support us!
Have you ever failed at something or not achieved what you hoped for or been disappointed after not being chosen for something?
Yes I have, a couple of times. A time that sticks to my mind is when I was in the 6th form at High School, and wasn’t made a prefect. I was quite popular with the students, and somehow I subconsciously thought that was leading to ‘prefectdom’ (besides, I was a prefect in Junior School). I was not in any first team for sport or leader in any club. In fact, I used to shy away from such responsibility. Somehow, I did not get the memo that those chosen as prefects were students who brought credible value to the school. I knew inside that I had the ability to be part of the leading team, but knowing and doing are two different things. I had just become a Christian the year before and I was finding joy in serving others. Through the disappointment, I found a way to serve the prefects in my school house. Through such service they recognised my leadership gifting and appointed me as a house prefect. This happened in a couple of months, imagine if I had been this way throughout my years at school?
Have you ever felt inadequate?
I practiced law for 5 years of my life, and never felt adequate. I was always comparing myself to those who were good at it, and trying to be like them. It did not work and frustrated me more. Then I discovered the Clifton StrengthsFinder test. It is an online assessment that is able to detect your strengths, and hence the way you achieve success. I was trying to copy other peoples’ strengths that were not my dominant strengths.
So when I discovered my strengths and intentionally applied them to my job, I began to see success. When we feel inadequate, it is because we are not using our unique way of getting things done, and so it can feel alien to us. Now, whenever I have a task, I ask myself “which of my strengths should I aim at it?” I am no longer trying to be like anyone else. I know the value that I bring to the table.
What has been the most trying time of your life? How did you work/live through it or get to the other side?
Nine years ago, when we were living in Mozambique, I had malaria for the umpteenth time. The difference this time, however, was the fact that I had just given birth to my son who was 2 months old. He also had malaria, pneumonia and a hernia! I had to be admitted to hospital so I could not breastfeed. I felt so helpless as a mother. It was traumatic. We needed help with our other children so my husband could focus on me and the baby. Human angels came to the rescue and took the girls to their home and looked after them until I was well enough to be discharged.
Sometimes the only way out of trying times is through the help of others. I am reminded of the story in the Bible of the sick man who was carried to Jesus by his friends (Luke 5:17-39). Their faith and help literally saved his life. That’s why it’s important to have your eye on your neighbour. You may be the answer that God has for them as He wills and acts through you to accomplish His will.
Do you have any people you consider role models?
Bishop T D Jakes. He has so much passion when he preaches. The word of God really comes alive! For me, he is one of those people who is living out his calling in a way that inspires us to do the same.
Michelle Obama. This woman has class written all over her. The way she dresses, acts and talks all aligns with what she does. It’s not easy to do that. She exudes confidence in her intelligence, without looking down at other people, always encouraging us to go high when others go low.
Are you reading any books or watching videos to improve yourself?
I am reading a book called ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olson. It is about the small, easy to do things that we can do on a daily basis that build up in time to success. It makes you conscious of your daily actions and whether they are taking you closer to the desired end or further away. There is also a website called Coursera.com that offers free online courses that can improve a variety of skills. I use it when something in line with my goals is offered.
What 3 (or less) books, videos or movies do you think every person needs to read/watch?
Everybody must read the book “Everybody Matters” by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia. It’s about a new way of leadership that puts people first. Bob Chapman is a CEO and has implemented a way of measuring the success of companies by how they care for their people. Basically, leadership is about the privilege of stewarding lives, not using people to get ahead. It celebrates truly human leadership that helps everyone feel fulfilled.
Everyone must watch a movie called ‘Radio’. It’s a true story about a mentally challenged man who is taken under the wing of a Football coach, who shows him compassion and lets him be part of a school community and family. It’s a definite tear jerker because it shows the power of life transformation when someone takes the stand to notice someone who is avoided by the whole world.
How do you show yourself love, if you do that?
I show myself love by developing myself physically and mentally. I read a lot of personal development books and ensure I exercise 4 times a week. The reason people struggle with doing things to develop themselves is because they feel undeserving or like it’s a selfish thing to do. And yet we cannot achieve more on the outside than who we are on the inside. My internal growth affects my external growth. Loving myself opens my eyes to ways of loving others because it is a standard I have for me. Sooner or later I will fail in giving others what I don’t give myself. Where would I get the strength to give out of inner weakness? If I’m not worth loving then how will I gauge loving others?
I must therefore accept that it begins with loving myself and what that looks like. It looks like caring about your health, both physical and mental. It looks like believing you have a purpose and pursuing it. It looks like believing your worth and choosing relationships that build you up. It looks like walking away from abuse. It looks like forgiving yourself, every time. It looks like giving your best and being grateful for the privilege to do so. It looks like having confidence to try new things and learning from failure. It looks like believing you deserve to be here and the world is better for it!
Are you in any way or form taking care of or feeding your spirit, body and soul? If yes, how are you doing that?
I believe that reading and meditating on the Bible is the best way to feed our spirit, which in turn strengthens our soul. We are, after all, spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. I listen to a lot of preaching and teaching as well. Meditating on the Word gives me the power to focus on truth that cleanses me from entertaining lies from which I may make the wrong decisions.
Do you have a morning routine? If yes, what does it look like?
I have a morning routine that helps me start my day in the strongest possible way. I go for a 15 minute jog at 6am, shower, then read my Bible and pray. Exercising not only keeps me fit but reduces any mental stress and clears my head to think more creatively and positively. Reading the Bible and prayer usher in wisdom and understanding that I need every day for the various decisions I need to make.
What constitutes fun for you?
When my spirit, soul and body light up with the same joy!
What do you do for fun?
Meet up with friends and family with whom I have a kindred spirit, to share and laugh, usually over a delicious meal. I also love to dance.
When was the last time you had fun?
Christmas 2019. We went to my mother-in-law’s house for a couple of days. Our other siblings and their children were there as well. We had fun eating, dancing and catching up.
Are you currently reading or watching anything for entertainment?
My family and I are watching a five season series called ‘Falling Skies.’ It’s your typical sci-fi program of alien invasions and the survival of a community. Those in my age group will remember ‘V the Final Battle,’ it’s something like that. I am also currently reading this magazine and it is definitely inspiring!
What 3 life lessons or thoughts would you like to leave the reader with?
- Know God
- Know yourself
- Live intentionally.
