Originality and Success: A Road Less Traveled
Path to a life well lived: What’s the definition of success/originality? What holds you back? How would taking initiative impact both yourself and society?
How often have you found yourself with ideas for improving things in your workplace, regardless of your profession? Teachers may identify aspects of the school they’d like to change, engineers might see room for improvement in their companies, and doctors often have ideas for enhancing healthcare systems. In any profession, there are typically aspects that leave us dissatisfied.
In the movie “Equalizer 2,” there’s a memorable scene where the main character, Robert, is asked why he’s cleaning a communal wall, to which he responds:
“You’re right. I guess anybody could do it, but nobody does, Miles. Ends up with everybody complaining because nobody did what anybody could’ve done or should’ve done to begin with.”
This sentiment reflects how many of us wait for someone else to fix problems and tend to sit back, complaining about issues rather than taking the initiative to address them. This disposition is something many of us can relate to.
In this article, I aim to explore why we often hesitate to take initiatives to rectify issues we dislike, drawing from insights in Adam Grant’s book “Originals.”
I seek to gather evidence from the book to address key questions: What’s the definition of success for me? What holds me back? How would taking initiative impact both myself and those around me? These are vital questions because, ultimately, humans seek purpose and meaning in their actions, pondering what’s in it for them.
Definition of Success
“Psychologists discovered that there are two routes to achievement: conformity and originality” — “Originals” book by Adam Grants
In modern Western societies, there is often an idealized concept of success, defined by terms such as entrepreneurship, career advancement, and achieving specific physical standards.
It’s the idea of reaching the moon and achieving extreme success that stands out from the rest. However, this definition of success is not realistic for everyone.
Each person should prioritize and determine what truly matters in their own life, whether it’s building a family, excelling in a career, attaining financial freedom or anything else.
Adam Grant discusses how intelligent children were often encouraged to follow the rules rather than lead, and they were sometimes labeled as troublemakers in school. This suggests that success can take many different forms and doesn’t always fit into predefined models.
In my opinion, the definition of success depends on the priorities of a person rather than relying on media or society to dictate it.
People from different cultural backgrounds or non-Western societies should not measure their success by standards that may not apply to their own circumstances. Your life path should not be influenced by other people’s agendas; it’s a personal decision.
To clarify what I mean by success coming in various forms, consider that we all have ideas for improving different aspects of our lives, whether at work, at home, in our finances, or within our communities.
Taking these ideas and putting them into action is worthwhile. Success can be attained by making a positive impact in various domains, ranging from the smallest to the largest endeavors. It doesn’t always require extreme actions or taking substantial risks to achieve meaningful success.
Are Successful People Fearless?
The admiration for figures like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg, who left school to start their own companies, isn’t solely because they’re considered extraordinary individuals.
Much of it stems from the belief that they possess some kind of inherent genetic advantage or are fearless risk-takers who lack the common fears and doubts that many people have.
However, according to studies mentioned by Adam Grant in his book, most impactful leaders are full of fears and uncertainties on a daily basis. They engage in self-questioning and reflection as part of their ongoing process.
For instance, Adam Grant highlights a case study involving the founders of Warby Parker, who didn’t quit their full-time jobs or actively seek to leave their stable positions.
Their approach was to play it safe, ensuring they had backup plans in place in case their startup didn’t take off. Scientific evidence and statistics support the notion that successful company founders often prioritize safety and contingency plans.
In essence, successful people do experience doubts. This suggests that it’s crucial to have backup plans and take calculated risks rather than going all-in without any safety nets.
Things That Can Hold You Back From Success
According to Adam's definitions in “Originals” book:
Conformity
Is the act of following the crowd down conventional paths and maintaining the status quo.
Originality
Is taking the road less traveled, championing a set of novel ideas, that go against the grain but ultimately make things better.
The fear of rejection often holds us back from expressing our ideas and opinions, leading us to conform to societal norms and maintain the status quo, just to gain acceptance.
In today’s world, there’s a growing need for “original” thinkers who are unafraid to challenge the prevailing wrongs and injustices rather than worrying about others’ judgment.
There are many instances of double standards in the modern world, where bias exists on one side while ignoring the suffering of the other side.
One example of this is the utter contrast in how events in different regions are viewed and addressed.
For instance, we have seen the ongoing challenges in Palestine due to decades of occupation, conflict, and suffering. On the other hand, there’s an utter difference in how the West responds to issues like the situation in Ukraine, which has garnered more attention and support. These disparities in global responses raise questions about consistency in addressing global issues.
So, it makes you wonder, don’t the Palestinian people have the right to be originals and put themselves out of that misery if they already sought all other peaceful actions?
Adam Grant, in his book, references figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. as exemplars of individuals who led their people out of oppression, occupation, and racism.
Their courageous actions and advocacy serve as reminders that addressing injustice often requires individuals who are willing to stand up for what they believe is right, even in the face of adversity and potential rejection.
Is Originality Only for Civil Rights Leaders?
No.
Originality is applicable to our everyday lives as well. Instead of remaining silent and constantly complaining about situations, whether at work or in personal life, it’s important to actively think, develop ideas, seek inspiration from others who have faced similar challenges, and create a plan for change.
Taking action is key.
Rather than merely complaining about aspects of your life that you dislike, consider exploring alternative options and making proactive changes.
For instance, if you’re a parent dissatisfied with the education system, have you looked into homeschooling or remote education? Have you considered the possibility of relocating to a place with an education system that aligns with your values?
If you’re a doctor who is unhappy with the healthcare system in your workplace, have you engaged in discussions with decision-makers? Have you taken the issue to the media to shed light on any wrongdoings in the health system? Have you thought about a plan to address and rectify the problem, or sought support to implement such a plan?
These examples are endless and can be applied to various aspects of life, even in seemingly mundane situations, such as addressing how a grocery store handles its queues.
Originality and a proactive approach to problem-solving can lead to meaningful improvements in many areas of life.
Final Words
- The pursuit of originality and the willingness to take action are central to personal growth and meaningful change, both in our professional and everyday lives.
The fear of rejection and the pull of conformity often put us down, but by challenging these barriers, we can redefine our paths and contribute positively to the world.
- The concept of success has too many faces, and it’s essential to define it based on our own values rather than relying on external standards.
True success comes in various forms, from making an impact in the smallest aspects of life to leading movements for social change.
- It’s a misconception that successful individuals are fearless; they, too, experience doubts and fears.
Calculated risks, backed by contingency plans, are often the path to success. The balance between originality and playing it safe is critical.
- Double standards persist in our world, and addressing them requires a commitment to fairness and justice for all.
We should not rely on Western media to tell us right from wrong. We should investigate reality as it is from reliable history books and from the voices of people who suffer instead of people who claim they’re suffering.
- Originality isn’t limited to civil rights leaders; it’s applicable to our everyday lives. Instead of passively accepting situations we dislike, we can think, develop ideas, and seek change.
From education systems to healthcare, there are opportunities to challenge the status quo and create a better world. Embracing originality and taking action can lead to meaningful improvements in many aspects of life.
Ultimately, the pursuit of originality and meaningful change is driven by a desire for purpose and meaning in our actions. It’s about making the world a better place for ourselves, our families, and society, one idea at a time, and being the change we wish to see.
