Identifying Your Limiting Patterns Part 3
Have you ever wondered what sets the dreamers and world-changers apart from the crowd? It’s the fact that they thought differently than everyone else that made them stand out and accomplish great things. It’s not because the tried to be like every other average person they ever met.
One great example of this that happens to hit it right on the nose is Apple’s famous “Think Different” ad campaign for their computers in the 90s. At the time, computers were commonly marketed by comparing their features, prices, or specs. It was easy to get lost in a sea of the same boring ads and devices, since everyone was doing the same thing when it came to advertising. Apple themselves were struggling, so they decided to do things differently. They created an ad campaign called “Think Different”, and for the first time in their history ran a commercial that did not contain any products. The commercial was called “The Crazy Ones” and showed clips of various influential figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Richard Brandon, Muhammad Ali, and more with the following narration:
“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Even though I consider this an inspiring quote, that’s not really the point I’m trying to make. What I’m really getting at is that this was revolutionary in the world of computer advertising at the time. Companies simply did not make this kind of commercial for computer brands. It is precisely because they were different than everyone else that this campaign took off and stood out among the field. The rest is history, the company saw a huge boost and was saved from the verge of going under. Apple products are found in nearly every home these days. It’s even become a part of some people’s identities, they call themselves an “iPhone person” rather than simply saying they prefer it over other smartphones.
Thinking differently than the “norm” is exactly what will enable you to do great things, and now is a better time than ever before. There are more options and opportunities for us to make our own way than there ever has been in human history. We are slowly learning to embrace authenticity and uniqueness. Now is a better time than any! Even if you simply want to enjoy your life and be happy, that’s a great thing too. I don’t mean to say that everyone needs to change the world. I’m saying that you have not only the ability but the responsibility to change YOUR world if you don’t like where you’re at.
You will never be able to be like everyone else, and that’s exactly what will make you happy in the long run. This is a positive thing, it’s why you will be able to succeed in enjoying your life. Because now that you know the rules to the game, you can play it the right way for YOU and create a life for yourself that you actually love living. Breaking free from the negative thought pattern of “I’m broken, and need to be fixed so I can do what everyone else does” is the first and biggest step you can take towards that life.
Thanks as always for reading,
Aaron Frank
