About Steven AitchisonListen to the audio version of this article at stevenaitchison.podbean.com
How on earth can you stand out from the crowd when there is so much noise in the world? How do you make yourself known, and stand up and say ‘Hey everyone, I am over here’ without being a pain and losing your true identity?
Here’s a few thoughts that I have on the subject of standing out and still being true to yourself and thinking a little different.
The crowd say:
Change is not good, don’t upset the balance
Independents say:
We are constantly changing, why wait for the crowd to change, be the change!
The crowd say:
Plan your life.
Independents say:
Just do it, fail as many times as possible, but just do it.
The crowd say:
We like happy, balanced, educated people to drive our world.
Independents say:
We need degree-less dreamers, and ‘weirdo’s’ who think differently.
The crowd say:
We need people who are realistic.
Independents say:
We need people who believe they can change the world.
The crowd say:
Don’t teach songs like ‘baa baa black sheep’ as it will offend some people.
Independents say:
Absolute bullshit!
The crowd say:
Put an ‘X’ in the box for the candidate you’d like to vote for
Independents say:
Sign up to become a candidate.
The crowd say:
Get a good steady job, with good pension benefits, and when you retire you can enjoy life.
Independents say:
Enjoy your life now and create the job that suits you.
The crowd say:
Steady and slow.
Independents say:
Rock the boat, and rock it often.
The crowd say:
Be normal
Independents say:
Be weird.
The crowd say:
Be economical with the truth
Independents say:
Lay yourself bare and tell the truth at all costs.
The crowd say:
Change is sometimes a good thing.
Independents say:
Change is absolutely necessary.
The crowd say:
Learn as much as possible and you won’t make so many mistakes
Independents say:
Make as many mistakes as possible, but learn from every single one of them
The crowd say:
Wait and think about it.
Independents say:
Do it, and then think about.
The crowd say:
We can’t all live our dreams.
Independents say:
Why the hell not!
Be the change, be the force, be the leader, be whatever the hell you want to be,stop thinking about it, do it, do it now and don’t make any excuses for who you are.
Subscribe to CYT and
receive a FREE copy of
Volumes 1 & 2 of
The Best of CYT
Steven,
This debate made me smile. But sometimes – for me – the best answer was a balance of the two! Very creative approach. Thank you.
Sandra Lee recently posted..The Web of Love and 5 Beautiful Bloggers
Hi Sandra. Having one foot in both camps is a good thing. Having both feet in the camp of the independents is where things are really shaken up
Great post, Steven! And so true words. I like it a lot! Thanks for sharing!
Roman Soluk recently posted..Erotic Massage as a Tool for Improving Intimate Relationships
Thanks for your comments Roman, I appreciate it, and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Really enjoyed that one Steven. Woke me up!
However, I wouldn’t like to fail as often as possible i.e. “Just do it, fail as many times as possible, but just do it.” Would prefer something like, “Just do it, fail as many times as you need, but just do it.” If I were to fail as many times as possible, that could be an awful lot of failing!
As for, “We need degree-less dreamers, and ‘weirdo’s’ who think differently.” Yes, definitely! I have 4 degrees and I can vouch for that one.
Mind you, there’s some awfully good learning to be had around the traps, for free. Here’s a top selection of Mind Power books http://freemindpowerbooks.com and a great video about manifesting http://budurl.com/manifestitallfree (hope you don’t mind those 2 plugs for a couple of like-minded friends), thought that your visitors might love them.
Cheers, Thea
Thea Westra from http://www.myforwardsteps.com recently posted..Day 383: Theas Personal Internet Web amp Business Tips
Steven this is Super Duper Awesome! You have me all charged up….
Love the debate….
This is so very very YOU!
Lots of love,
Z~
Zeenat{Positive Provocations} recently posted..KNOW Your True Self Series Knowing amp Honing Your Passions3
Thanks Zeenat, you’re a star as always:) I notice you’re becoming an independent which is great to watch.
Good points. Here’s another one along that theme.
The crowd say:
You can’t always match your passion with a career.
Independents say:
Then I’ll invent that career.
Bryce Christiansen recently posted..4 Dangers You Want to Avoid from Lack of WorkLife Balance
Hi Bryce, loved your addition to the discussion here.
Great dialogue, Steven… maybe you have a play in the making here!
When we learn to think independently, we have already won the battle. The last thing on earth that should bother us is daring to think with an independent mind. Something marvelous inside of us cracks wide open when we turn down the volume on negative mental chatter. We discover things spectacular and new about ourselves.
Hi Rob. I’ve noticed how difficult it can be to help others see that being an independent is good, especially as I have two sons and their minds are entrenched in the world view of education, get a job, etc
Your description of something cracking inside of us is so apt, there seems to be a tipping point and it’s great to be tipped and help others find their tipping ppoint.
Hmm… I think we all have experienced that inner voice of “independency” but not to the extent of becoming fully aware of it as you have.
I also believe that there are many people out there who dread the idea of being “independent” or different…
A big solution to any of this is the idea of just getting used to the idea of attracting attention from others.
Get used to the idea of being the Star right when we walk into a room, all eyes on us. Flight or Fight. Making things happen.
And I think we’ll all listen more to our “independent” selves
Cheers!
Parker Lee recently posted..2010’s Most Attractively Sexiest Halloween Costumes
Hi Parker. I hear what you’re saying about others dreading being an independent, it’s not for everyone, which is a great thing, if we were all independents we’d all be part of ‘The Crowd’, albeit a new type of crowd
This rocks the boat Steven! Since it´s becoming night here I will go to sleep with a smile on my face. Thank you!
Tom Sörhannus recently posted..How To Make Sure Your Movie Is Worth Watching Lesson 10
Hey Tom, hope you got a great sleep
This was so thought stimulating Steve. I found myself personally involved in each mini debate. You chose some real gems for self examination.
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills recently posted..TRUE SELF and the Core Connection
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your feedback on this, and I am so glad you enjoyed the mini debates.
Brilliant! Found myself cheering the independent on with every point he (you) made and won outright in my view! I don’t need to be convinced but it’s brilliant to meet others with the same outlook! When I was a kid and i would hear adults complain about ‘they’ as in “Why do they make the taxes so high?” or “They should do something about speeding on our roads!” etc etc…I would always ask “Who are they…why can’t we do it?”
Roseamary recently posted..A Brief Guide To Going Over The Edge
Hi Rosemary. I love your attitude to life, we need more people like you to rock the boat.
I think that the important thing is that we are thinking for ourselves and not letting the crowd think for us. It’s not always wrong to think along the same lines as the crowd but at the same time it’s far better to not be afraid to think differently from the crowd. So many people are afraid to stand out (hence the crowd) but those are the people who won’t do anything spectacular either.
Thanks for giving us something to think about again!
Stacy recently posted..How to Become More Productive- Part One
Hi Stacy, glad this got you thinking. Being out of the crowd is lonely and I can imagine why others wouldn’t like it; self doubt, fear etc, but being out of the crowd is where we grow. However that’s not to say we should detach ourselves, that’s something different altogether.
The world surely does need dreamers, Steve, whether they have degrees or not.
Above all it needs people who as you say are willing to tell the truth at all costs.
The crowd says: “You should be ashamed.”
The independent says: “My capacities may be a bit inadequate at times. But who I truly am is without sin and without shame.”
Cool post Steve. Gets a person thinking. Thanks.
Christopher Foster recently posted..Is there any greater joy than finding a true friend
Thanks for your thoughts on this Christopher, I always appreciate your point of view.
Steven, I loved this “to the point” article of yours. My favorite was “We need degree-less dreamers, and ‘weirdo’s’ who think differently.” I’m not degree-less but some call me a weirdo! LOL.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap recently posted..8 Ways to Improve Your Focus and Control Your Attention
Hi Stephen. I’m not degree-less myself and I’m still a ‘weirdo’
Steven,
Wonderful post! These are views that I imagine many people would love to take hold of and apply to their lives, but due to fact that they are part of crowd are to worried to do so. I have to say that when it comes to really reaching a pinnacle of success, it can’t come without risk, change, failure, resilience, and innovation. These are qualities often presented as irrational and unwise, though they are exactly the frame of mind that leads people to greater life purpose. For me, I am learning to deal with fear and slowly beginning to cast away my doubts about thinking bigger and bigger.
Joe Wilner recently posted..How to Maintain Energy and Avoid Burnout
Hi Joe, missed your comment first time round. Thanks for your thoughts on this and I am glad to hear your are casting your doubts aside, it’s what truly makes us grow.
Great stuff Steven, this is actually the topic of my new e-book, it should be finished soon!
Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice recently posted..21 Outstanding Mission Statements For Your Life
Hi Amit, I must have missed your comment first time round, sorry about that. Thanks for your comment I appreciate it mate, let me know when the ebook is finished.
Steven, I believe in part of being an inner circle of ‘independents’ who challenge the status quo. So it’s kind of like being part of a smaller crowd. At the same time, we have to have enough alone time and integrity to listen to our inner voices, so that we can even challenge our inner circle, if need be.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted..Get Out of Jail NOW
Hi Steve, I guess it is like being part of a smaller crowd. By being part of that smaller crowd you have the voice to let others know, with honesty, how you feel without being ostracised for it.
Steven,
Though I prefer balanced living I think there is a difference between being balanced and being “like everybody else.” I think it is possible to be both “the change” and a balanced person (the only balance that matters is your inner balance and if independent and radical moves are what gives you that balance then you find your personal state of equilibrium.)
I definitely enjoyed reading the debate
But I absolutely agree that if you want to stand out and if you want to be more than just another gray face in the crowd you need to change and you need to be fearless in your attempts. This is exactly what I am doing right with my retreat launch – kind of taking the plunge simply it feel like the right thing to do. We’ll see what will come out of it:-)
Anastasiya recently posted..Healthy Eating Advice for Every Day
Hi Anastasiya. A lot of readers are saying the same thing about being balanced and being a bit of both, which I guess we have to do to some degree.
I sincerely hope your retreat goes well.
Hi Steve, thanks for the post!
I particularly liked the first one, about change. “be the change” resonates nicely!
Daniel
Daniel Rose recently posted..Self Development and the Locus of Control
Thanks for your comments Daniel, I appreciate them.
Hi John,
I apologize for being away for a while. Life happens and I decided to take some of my own advance and do a rebalancing act.
BUT, Im back now. And I enjoyed your post, as usual. I think you make some excellent points. I would only caution all of these in moderation. There is a fine line between creativity and lunacy. Being adaptable is the greatest characteristic of those who stand out. They know how to work within a system to change it and make it better.
Chris
Chris Akins recently posted..The Five Biggest Mistakes People Make When Giving Presentations – And How to Avoid Them
John? You’ve been away too long Chris
There is indeed a fine line between creativity and lunacy, but you’ll notice that a lot of creative people were dubbed as ‘lunatics’ in their day, only to be, posthumously, dubbed as ‘creative geniuses’ later on.
Steve: Great, great post. I really liked this one. It is all about being yourself and figuring out what that really means as you grow and experience life. I thought this post was very inspirational and like it did with Zeenat, it got me all charged up. Thanks for the morning motivation. It is time to get to it
Sibyl – alternaview recently posted..The Best Question to Ask to Put Everything Into Perspective
Hi Sibyl, I am glad this got you all charged up ready for the day ahead.
Hope you got to it, and changed a bit of the world
As always, you’ve found a clear and simple way to communicate a complex topic! Being independent is truly the path of the straight and extremely narrow! I’m grateful that you have such an active blog (and to be a part of the community it supports). Thanks!
Hi Chris, great to have you here and I am really glad you enjoyed this post.
Dear Steven, THIS IS INCREDIBLE!! I read this and printed it out. It’s going on my wall. This is SO me that it’s not funny!! Well, it IS funny, but you know what I mean. This is so how I have lived my life, and reading this just confirmed so much for me. I am an all out “go for it person” but often people around me want to reign me in. LOL! I don’t let that happen anymore. And luckily my sweetheart is totally supportive of who I am. I guess I just feel that life is too short, and there is so much I want to feel, experience, and do and be and see and live, that these guidelines make sure I do that. Thank you for this. It is one of your very best posts. Would make another good book!
Love the way you presented it, highly creative.
I know I am late to this and you’ve moved on so you don’t need to reply, but I wanted you to know how brilliant it is. Also, I am showcasing a few authors in my next post, so if you have any links that you would like me to place with your name send them along. Thank you dear beautiful soul. You hold a special place in my heart. R
You crack me up
Thanks for this Robin, it’s clear now that you have taken the right path in life and you were right to break free from the reigns of others, as in your book. You’re a true independent and someone I have gained a lot of inspiration from. Keep being you and keep being an independent
This is awesome Steven. Change….leadership…honesty. You can’t beat that. I’m very independent and I live my life without worrying so much about the views of others. My family thinks that my rebellious streak is a curse, but I’m proud that I have the courage to think for myself.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga recently posted..Buddhist Quotes and Sayings by Thich Nhat Hanh
Hi Steven,
This post is bursting with energy! I can just feel the words jumping off the screen. Thank you for sharing who you are and your excitement with the world. Every time we go for it and get excited about our mission here on Earth thing start to happen in the spiritual world and change is inevitably a consequence.
Blessings,
Eren
Eren Mckay recently posted..How to find joy … flowing joy
I could find amazing things here each time, thx for ur great thoughts.