Thinking Differently

It’s a popular trend right now. Doing what everyone else is doing, striving to attain normal, owning the necessary material items, keeping up with the next television season and staying current on entertainment, gossip and fashion trends.  Throughout life we are consistently taught to seek the right answers, to look for solutions which will benefit the masses, and to fit in with the culture you grew up in or your desired career choice. Most of what we are taught encourages us to be the same, follow the same rules and doctrine, and push the boundaries of creativity only to a limit which makes sense. Wild, new directions of thought seem to be constantly put down, the question “why” is often answered with “because this is the way it is.” We don’t have to settle for less, we don’t have to remain obscure and normal for the rest of our lives and we certainly don’t have to exchange our dreams for reality.

Do you ever wonder how those who are widely successful made it? The teenagers who are millionaires, the huge corporations which own monopolies in their fields and the social media networks everyone uses daily. What opportunities did these innovators and creators have that we do not? Did they go to a great college? Have financial backers? Explore larger opportunities? Or was it just a matter of having the right mindset?

It’s time to leave your comfort zone and come out with the burning thoughts, questions and ideas which will create change for the better. I don’t think anyone intentionally sets out on the road to mediocrity. No one wakes up in the morning and thinks:

“Today, I want to settle for less.”

“I do not want to reach my full potential today.”

Instead we have thoughts similar to:

“I want to fit in.”

“I want to be surrounded by a group of people who love me and believe in what I do.”

One day we are living our lives, the next we wake up and realize we aren’t where we want to be. Maybe the career doesn’t fit or the relationship. Maybe your friends have different values and are dragging you down. Maybe you’ve been too afraid to speak your ideas out loud or don’t believe you have the resources to get to where you want to be. Maybe you’re overwhelmed with ideas and don’t know where to start. Maybe you just need some guidance and you’re looking for a sign. What’s the best way to move forward after all of these realizations? It’s time to take a leap of faith off the road to mediocre.

Keep in mind it is never too late to start making a change. You don’t have to do everything at once, you just have to start. Changing your mindset is not a quick, easy task; however there are several ways you can start eliminating the things which hold you back. Ways I’ve found myself killing my opportunities without recognizing it have been because of fear, worry about what others will say or think and the repercussions of failure.

Excuses

Excuses are the number one reason why we fail. An excuse can always be fabricated for anything such as “I’m not smart enough. I don’t have time.  It will take too long. I’m busy.” While there will always be an excuse, maybe it’s time to ignore them and just move forward.

Waiting

Stop playing the waiting game, like excuses there will always be a reason to wait until something better comes along, until you have enough money or the busy season in your life ends. Waiting is endless and honestly if you wait too long to get started, to make things happen, to live your dreams you’ll be dead.

Winging It

I’m a huge fan of winging it. But from past mistakes I’ve learned it’s more important to be consistent, to apply deliberate practice and to actively learn. Winging it when it comes to fun and play is no problem, but when it comes to business, life and making a difference, do your research and know before you go.

Settling for Less

We all settle for less. Maybe we thought we weren’t good enough or did not deserve to have the best. The truth is you don’t have to lower your standards to be successful. You don’t have to sellout.  Identify your self-worth, raise your standards and go for it.

Thinking differently isn’t easy. Changing your mindset is not a walk in the park. However encouragement and dedication will get you there.