I was listening to my favourite podcast this morning while walking the dog – Freakonomics. Yep, that’s its name and if you haven’t discovered it yet, have a listen because these economists rock.
Anyway, they were celebrating 10 years of podcasts and books all about people thinking differently…one of their catch phrases is ‘think like a freak’.
They spoke about one of the presenters Steve Levitt who is an economist and academic and the number one ‘freak’ in the Freakonomics franchise. He’s strange and proud of it. His colleague believe that his ‘genius’ comes from his ability to be almost oblivious to the world around him. His ‘child like’ curiosity.
Many of the best leaders, teacheres and speakers are ones that you think many be a little nutty…have you noticed that?
Yesterday I had a great conversation with a colleague who has just embarked on starting his own business and he commented about how he is looking at the world differently now since being responsible for his own income.
Looks like he’s becoming a freak…
Steve Jobs is famously quoted as saying (and I paraphrase) ‘its the crazy ones that will change the world.’
He’s right. You won’t change the world, not even your little bit of it by being the same as everyone else. You’ll only change things if you want to and if you look at and act in the world differently.
Now I’m not saying that everyone should go and become a business owner. No, this is a tough life that I wouldn’t recommend to everyone. But I would recommend the learning that comes along with it. Applied in the work place and we can talk about the rise of the intrapreneur.
Since having my own business and working with my partner on his business I have changed dramatically. I’m still challenging and crazy and focused on the idealist view of what the future of business could be…but personally I’ve changed. I’ve changed the way that I view the world. I’ve had to change.
I’ve had to let go of some out dated thinking, that I never knew I had until I had to let it go. I have had to let go of my views about money and abundance. I have had to let go of my views about personal value. I have had to let go of my views about being a ‘working mum’ or a ‘stay at home mum’ – ps: there’s actually something interesting in between…
There is so much that has changing in how I view my profession, business management, leadership, parenting, traveling, paying bills, making change, volunteering, giving verses getting…. my thinking has been turned inside out and upside down in the last 2 years….
And has made me a better person, changed my expectations, made me smarter and crazier…a freak some would say.
So I’m a freak loud and proud.
I hope that you find a way to think like a freak. You’ll never look back.
#leadership #humanresources #change #personalgrowth
PS: I’m currently have a June special on personal coaching – 3 X 1:1 coaching sessions plus HBDI profile (worth $220) for only $990!! Personal message me to find out more. Skype coaching available.
Michelle is a success and leadership coach who works with HR professionals and future focused leaders who want to get real results and live & lead with purpose. You can find out more about Michelle at www.michelletholland.com
Michelle is a professional speaker who delights conference goers with her tales of vampire slaying and other crazy happenings in leadership…
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