When you dare to be an original you are in essence daring to be “your- self” and everything that encompasses who you really are. To many of us, that can be a scary and daunting proposition.
And why is that? Because it means putting ourselves on the line. It means subjecting ourselves to scrutiny, judgment and possible ridicule. It means exposure and vulnerability.
Certainly there is more comfort to be found in conformity, lying low, and blending in with the crowd. There is also boredom, complacency, and the prospect of never living to your potential.
It takes courage and self- confidence to dare to be an original to reveal your uniqueness and to show that you’re one of a kind.
However, as with any frightening
However, as with any frightening endeavor, the rewards of overcoming obstacles and prevailing far out weigh the consequences of not venturing forth.
As the late Steve Jobs noted in his speech at a Stanford University graduation commencement: “Your time is limited; so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And the most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They some how already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
The Benefits of Being an Original:
- You are true to yourself, therefore derive greater personal satisfaction and fulfilment.
- You are more noticed, interesting, and attractive to others.
- You are willing to take risks, think originally and be creative, therefore are open to greater career opportunities and advancement.
- Due to a willingness to let go of convention, you live life to the fullest and on your terms.
- Whether in your career, the arts, or in your community, you offer a fresh, new, diverse perspective.
- You are usually a trailblazer, set new trends and discover new ways of doing things.
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