Dare to Be An Original

When you dare to be an original, you are, in essence, daring to be "yourself" and everything that encompasses who you 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.

Indeed, there is more comfort 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 endeavor, the rewards of overcoming obstacles and prevailing far outweigh 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 inner voice. And most importantly, dare to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." 

It's true. Life is too short to live it trying to be anything other than your true, original self. Be who you are, and be it the best way you know how. Celebrate your individuality and uniqueness. Dare to be an original!

Tips on how to be an original or your true self:

✱ Know who you are. Before being yourself, you must know who that is and be true to that self. Centuries ago, Socrates wisely observed that self-knowledge is the pillar of all virtue. Without it, nothing else is genuine.

Trust your intuition and instincts. Part of knowing who you are is trusting your intuition and instincts. We all have an inner gauge that guides us along our most fulfilling path. Look deep within to find the answers to your life. No one knows what you need and want from life better than you. 

Of course, it is prudent to listen to the advice of family, friends, and professionals, but you are the ultimate authority on you. You are unique and original, and no one but you can make your decisions for you. To go against that intuition is to go against your fundamental nature and source of satisfaction.

✱ Express yourself by cultivating your style, tastes, and personality. Many people try to be like those who are popular. Rather than working on developing themselves, they attempt to copy others and lose themselves. Much time is wasted in such pursuits, resulting in disillusionment and feelings of failure. 

When you work on cultivating your style, tastes, and personality, you are genuine and authentic and more interesting and attractive to others. Let go of fear and embrace your uniqueness. Make your life an expression of who you are. 

As Steve Jobs said, dare to follow your heart. If you desire to be an artist, don't settle for being an accountant because your parents want you to or because you can make more money. Ultimately, you will lose out because the money won't matter if you're unhappy, unmotivated, or depressed. 

✱ Believe in yourself, and don't worry about what others think. When you choose the right path for yourself, do not allow the opinions of others to distract you. People are good at offering well-intentioned, unsolicited opinions. However, only you know what's best for you. Don't let a lack of self-confidence or self-doubt prevent you from pursuing what you know is best for you. 

✱ Let go of your insecurities. If you strive to be someone you're not, you will never be happy. Be yourself. Be proud of who you are. People with a more positive view of themselves live better, healthier lives.

When you dare to be an original, you dare to be courageous, strong, and vibrant, willing to realize the full potential of your unique skills and talents.

The Benefits of Being an Original:

• You are true to yourself and derive greater personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

• You are more noticed, engaging, and attractive to others.

• You are willing to take risks, think originally, and be creative; therefore, you are open to greater career opportunities and advancement.

• You live life to the fullest and on your terms because you are willing to let go of convention.

• Whether in your career, the arts, or community, you offer a fresh, new, diverse perspective. 

• You are usually a trailblazer, setting new trends and discovering new ways of doing things.