I guess, instead of using the very sedate term “outliers,” I could use my daughter’s “freak of nature” enthusiasm when it comes to athletes who are outliers. 🙂 Still, that sounds sort of like an insult, so I’d prefer not to use anything that sounds like a denigration.

Those individuals who seem to stand apart from the crowd when it comes to their craft, or sport, or interest are outliers. Although Malcolm Gladwell made the concept interesting, and offered us a sense of how it works, there are other aspects well beyond control or aspects we don’t consider.

How many of us grew up hearing that the most important thing was to be well-rounded? We were supposed to get the grades, the athletics, the arts, and the all-important amazing essay to make sure the “right” universities would accept us. That’s without the standardized tests, of course.

In our professional lives, we are expected to over-perform, every day.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with either of the above. The only problem with the first is that most of us have a handful of things in life that we do exceptionally well, and we really ought to nurture those things. The second can best be summarized in a quote from (I think) Terry Braverman: “When you give 110% every day, after 10 days, what is left? One LESS of YOU!”

We have to choose. We just want to keep the options broad as long as possible.

So, at long last haha, some thoughts from outliers.

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.” ~ Michael Phelps

“Dwelling in positivity is a choice and a developed skill, and has the power to make all the difference.” ~ Lauren Fleshman

“Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice.” ~ Nora Roberts

“To handle a language skillfully is to practice a kind of evocative sorcery.” ~ Charles Baudelaire

“Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts.” ~ William Hazlitt

Be exceptional: your unique brand of exceptional, reserved for only you.

Blessings to you all!