Daily Inspiration – Being Unique : “Don’t be afraid to be known as the ‘crazy one!’”

Don’t be afraid to be known as the ‘crazy one!’ – Futurist Jim Carroll

Futurist Jim Carroll is using his Daily Inspiration blog post – one of which you are reading now – to generate material for a book he has in progress with the working title, “How to be Unique (And Why it Will Get You To Your Future Faster!). This is one of those posts.

It’s probably one of the most brilliant observations of all time.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” — Steve Jobs

He was certainly correct in that assessment! In one short paragraph, he manages to capture everything that lies in the fundamental importance of ‘being unique’

It’s a celebration of nonconformists: “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers” which recognizes and honors those who don’t fit into the traditional norms – and at the heart of it, suggesting that being unique is not only acceptable but commendable. Being unique matters! Being unique matters more!

Being unique involves challenging all the traditional standards – “The round pegs in the square holes” manages to get across that innovative thinkers are those who don’t fit within the traditional boundaries defined by the society around them.

Why? Because they have unique perspectives – they are “the ones who see things differently,” which highlights the fact that the ability to have a diverse viewpoint is so critical.

What is at the foundation of that type of thinking? A total disregard for conformity! “They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo.” It’s the natural tendency of innovative individuals to challenge and redefine existing norms and conventions.

How do others view them? Most rebels know they are up against an often impermeable wall of conformity – of those who view them with suspicion, worry, and concern.”You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.” In that vein, he captures the idea that regardless of what you think about them, it’s the rebels, the misfits, and the outliers who have a significant impact on the future regardless of how their actions are perceived by others. Unique people.

That’s because unique thinkers are agents of change: “Because they change things. They push the human race forward.” These unconventional thinkers invent things, move society forward, chase new ideas, and accomplish more than their fair share of great things. And that’s why it’s important to see them for who they are: “And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.”

They might be crazy, but wow – they are important. That’s because it is undeniable that they have an impact. After all, they believe in the power that they hold: “Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” That simple statement encapsulates the whole message by suggesting that it takes extraordinary belief and ambition to bring about real change.

This quote by Steve Jobs captures the essence of innovation and creative thinking – and why and how to be unique.

It’s a road map to uniqueness.

When you take it apart, you realize that it’s a celebration of those who dare to think and act differently, and a reminder that these are often the people who drive the most significant changes in our world. Jobs’ message encourages embracing unconventional thinking and the pursuit of bold ideas, which is fundamental for advancement in any field.

No wonder it became the foundation for many an Apple advertising campaign in the years that followed:

BE DIFFERENT

Be different. Be unique. Be the crazy one.

Because it will get you to your future faster!