Hello beautiful people. Happy new week. Check through history, many of the successful people at least to about 50% of them have been people that were considered to be odd in their behavior and the action they took to get to where they were.
Most of these people took the road less traveled, they stood out when there was a crowd and they were considered to be strange by their peers.
Not only were they set apart because of their way of reasoning but also because their methods were unconventional to say the least and completely biz are in the worst cases. They were made a laughing stock and they were often bullied and alone in their journeys.
But all that changed when they achieved unbelievable breakthrough and success. It was because they were the pods ones that changed their countries through science, through arts, through innovations and so much more.
There are many examples, but we will look at a few of them.
Albert Einstein is one of the most famous scientist of the last century and widely known for his revolutionary scientific ideas, mathematics, physics and a way to think outside the box. Most of his papers and publications were met with laughter at what a joke he was and he was called a dreamer or someone who lived in a fantasy land. No one really appreciated what he had to say.
Did that stop him? No.
He didn't allow any of that to stop him he continued to publish, to think, to dream to pursue and follow the road his passion and ideas took him.
After a while, other scientists came to understand he was a legend and proved many of his theories to be true. If he had stopped when opposed or laughed at he would have never achieved his dreams or even becomes an icon to remember today.
Steve Jobs, an iconic man in Apple was known for his strange and unique vision which he held until he passed on. At a time, he completely refused to compromise on any of his ideas and he was ousted from his company. This led many other people to believe his career and life was over, but as it turns out, his life was just beginning. He founded another company which would later be acquired by Apple. He also founded Pixar, an animation studio that is recognised worldwide as one of the leading studios in the world. After many years, he returned to Apple in 1997 and transformed the company into one of the most valuable, the most influential and the most successful companies on earth.
That wouldn't have happened if he just laid there and allowed the opinions of other people move him. What an incredible turnaround this is.
Mind you, it takes unbelievable courage to pursue a path that is not popular or not crowd accepted by all. Being odd can be the key to making real impact in the world.
John the baptist was a man with a revolutionary birth and death but in-between he was a preacher whose practices was odd, it was this difference or oddness that set him apart and made him so influential. Infact he was a celebrity in his time. He live a simple life but carried him him unbelievable passion cresting followers everywhere he went. This also hold true for Jesus. E was born in a time where it was difficult to challenge any authority, yet he did it, he not only did what was expected but crowned it with what was unexpected.
He challenged the authority, he challenged the ways of life that was nothing to write home about. He performed miracles that was unbelievable and out of this world and in the midst of all that he was loving, compassionate and a story teller.
His life changed the course of history for many people who came after him because he paved the way. Speaking of heaven, speaking of angels and things normal humans could only dream of.
Although at first his teaching and passion was unpopular, he was still a key figure and after a short while people came out in their thousands to listen to him talk. That's unbelievable.
These two men were odd in their time but their impact on the world has remained, every year if not everyday, people talk about their and their exploits.
They are prime examples of what it means to be odd.
Pele was a legendary footballer, a patriotic man who achieved greatness despite being born into poverty, he was a black man playing a white man's sport at the time.
The obstacles facing him as a man of color were enormous but he used his skill and kindness in the game and on the field to become a liberating figure all over the world. The game cannot be mentioned without his name being mentioned alongside.
He altered history, he did what he did so that others could do it too.
He overcame racism, he overcame communication barriers, and while doing that he became one of the most influential athletes in the history of the game worldwide.
Coming down to music, Falz studied to be a lawyer but delved into music and found success, he rejected the traditional white collar job and followed his passion.
His style of music is unique and his lyrical prowess addressed social and political issues, making him a beloved figure in the musical world and political world. He didn't just sing, he spoke through music, advocated for changing and inspiring others to do the same.
All the people we have talked about didn't do the traditional things everyone did, this is not to say doing the traditional thing will not make you successful but even while doing it, you can add your spin to it, make it personal and tune it until it becomes unique.
Being odd is not a problem, at all. It can be the very thing that sets you apart and helps you achieve greatness.
Do you feel odd? Then you might just be a candidate for success. It may be your ticket to a life of greatness, don't be afraid to break out and do things your way, you may become a trailblazer in your chosen endeavor.
Who knows where it might lead?
Don't bow to pressure. Don't.
Being odd is not a barrier but a stepping stone to success.
Be yourself and be different if you really have to be. It is the best version of yourself and it may lead you to achieving amazing things no one else can.
If we are to look at it carefully, being odd should be celebrated.
It will make people embrace their oddities and help them celebrate their individually rather than conforming to some set standards which is a societal barrier.
Be you, be different, be odd.
Cheers.