“The world is going to tell you that sticking to the well-trodden path is the way to go. They’ll say it’s safer, more secure, more sensible. But here’s the thing—they’re wrong. The well-trodden path is where dreams go to die. It’s where creative ambitions are snuffed out under the weight of conformity and expectation. And if you stay on that path too long, you start to forget what really makes you come alive. You start to lose that spark, that fire, that hunger to create, to build, to do something meaningful.
If you’re feeling stuck, if you’re feeling that tug on your heart, it’s because deep down, you know there’s more. You know you weren’t put on this planet just to follow someone else’s script. You have a unique voice, a unique vision, a unique gift that only you can offer the world. And that doesn’t happen by staying safe.”
Boom. That’s straight from my book, Never Play It Safe, and it’s the perfect setup for today’s discussion on how to break free from conformity. Let’s talk about it.
Why the ‘Safe’ Path is a Trap
We’ve all heard that the “safe” path can be a trap. But let’s dig deeper into why. Sure, it feels comfortable, but comfort isn’t just dangerous—it’s a creative dead zone. Here’s something we don’t often talk about: the psychology of comfort and why our brains love it so much. Comfort tricks our minds into thinking we’re safe and secure. But in reality, comfort is a slow drip of anesthetic, dulling our senses and killing our creativity.
Let’s flip the script: Comfort can be one of the biggest thieves of opportunity and growth. If you’re too comfortable, you’re probably not growing, and if you’re not growing, you’re just decaying slowly. Brutal? Maybe. True? Definitely.
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Speed Round: The Usual Advice
- Find Your Passion: You know the drill. What lights you up? Spend some time reflecting, journaling, talking it out. Figure out what makes you feel alive. Done.
- Start Small, Start Now: Don’t quit your job yet, but start dedicating time to your passion. Wake up early, stay up late, carve it out wherever you can. Next!
- Build Skills and Confidence: Take classes, find mentors, practice like crazy. This is where you build your foundation. Boom. Let’s keep it moving.
- Network and Build Relationships: Get around people who are doing what you want to do. Their energy will rub off on you. Let’s move on.
- Create a Safety Net: Financial freedom makes jumping easier. Save up, cut expenses, and buy yourself peace of mind.
Now, Let’s Get to the Unconventional Stuff
1. Use Micro-Risks to Build Macro Courage
You’ve heard “take the leap” a thousand times, but here’s what’s more practical: start taking micro-risks. Every week, do something a little scary that moves you closer to your creative path. It could be reaching out to someone you admire, sharing your work publicly, or pitching an out-of-the-box idea. These micro-risks compound over time, building up your risk tolerance muscle.
2. Flip the Script on Failure: Design for It
Instead of avoiding failure, design experiences where failure is the expected outcome. This does two things: (1) it removes the stigma and fear around failing, and (2) it accelerates your learning process. Take a page from improv comedy: the whole point is to get out there and mess up because that’s where the magic often happens.
From Never Play It Safe:
“Failure—A Feature, Not a Bug… It’s time you completely reimagine failure as a stepping-stone to success. This isn’t a trite phrase with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Life isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about recovering quickly and learning to trust yourself again and again.”
3. Shadow the Bold (Not Just the Successful)
We often hear, “Surround yourself with successful people.” But what if you surround yourself with people who are willing to take bold risks—regardless of whether they succeed or fail? Their courage is contagious. Find a way to shadow or spend time with someone who has a “nothing to lose” mentality and absorb their mindset.
4. Create a Portfolio of Experiences, Not Just Projects
Most creatives get stuck thinking about their portfolio in terms of projects. Here’s a different take: create a portfolio of experiences. This means consciously choosing experiences that are outside your norm, that make you uncomfortable, that teach you new things. This will not only make you more resilient but will also give you a deeper well to draw from creatively.
5. Break Your Own Rules—Literally
Set rules for yourself and then systematically break them. For example, if you’re a photographer, maybe you always shoot in natural light. Force yourself to use artificial lighting for a month. Or if you’re a writer who only writes long-form content, challenge yourself to create micro-fiction. This isn’t about skill-building; it’s about shaking up your neural pathways and busting out of creative ruts.
6. Track Your “Hell Yes” Moments
Here’s a curveball: Start a log of your “Hell Yes” moments. These are the times when you feel fully aligned, energized, and excited about what you’re doing. Over time, patterns will emerge. This isn’t just about finding your passion; it’s about mapping out the nuances of what truly lights you up.
Wrap-Up: Time to Reframe Your Journey
If you’re feeling that pull to something bigger, don’t just follow the same steps everyone else is taking. Challenge yourself to look at risk, failure, and creativity from new angles. And remember: The best stuff in life lies just beyond your comfort zone.
Make bold moves, take micro-risks, and create a portfolio of not just projects but experiences that expand who you are as a person and a creator. By implementing these strategies, you’ll break free from conformity and unleash your true potential. And if you want more of these unconventional takes, dive into Never Play It Safe. Trust me, it’s not the same old advice. Get your copy here.
Until next time, keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep breaking free from whatever’s holding you back. You got this.
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