Chris Hart: Somehow, the world seems designed to make us all the same. Average. Doing as we’re told, following the flock and never rocking the boat. Never really happy and fulfilled, or achieving anything truly special.
A few people do stand out from the crowd. But there aren’t a whole lot of them, because everything in life seems organised to push them back down again! Think how children feel pressured to be the same as everyone else.
How the fashion industry urges us into “this season’s colours”. How a national school curriculum means we all “know” the same things…
But you can be different!
Start by no longer accepting what people tell you at face value. Like never again listen to the news or a political speech without wondering what’s behind what you’re hearing. Maybe the information is biased – or someone’s making money out of you? So evaluate everything. Especially things that the whole world seems to agree on!
Like how every expert says you must get the largest mortgage you can and buy a big house. But they’re also making money out of land, construction or finance! So maybe their advice is benefiting them more than you.
And don’t go to college just because you’re “supposed to”. Only go there to study something you’re truly passionate about, something so interesting your studies are a joy, and which will help you reach your goals. And don’t feel you have to go at all if, like Bill Gates, you have a better idea!
Don’t be intimidated
Ordinary people never question authority. They’re easily intimidated and scared. So be different! Do politicians and civil servants always act in your best interests? Or theirs?
Remember that your taxes pay their salaries, so next time you hear them making windy promises that will never be fulfilled, or offering you less than good service, maybe you should give them a hard time? Stand up to harassing officials. And go into politics. Not for yourself, but to make Kenya a truly better place. For everyone….
Average guys sit at their desks all week doing just a few hours of productive work, bored out of their minds. Don’t be one of them. Find a job you can be passionate about. Or start a business to create one. And spend your time thinking how to do the work better, faster and more efficiently. So you still have plenty of time for your family.
Read and travel, so you can understand other cultures – and question your own. Ask whether there are better ways of doing things. Actually write that book instead of just thinking about it, start that business instead of just dreaming about it, and risk drawing attention to yourself by standing up for what you believe.
Because you don’t have to live your life by other people’s rules. Instead, choose your own path. Find what you can offer the world that no one else can, never take no for an answer, and make a difference!