Do you want to fit in or stand out?

You must choose because you can’t do both.

Fitting in and standing out are two separate paths that require very different kinds of thinking and actions.

To be clear, neither is right or wrong, and they both come with their own set of opportunities and challenges.

If fitting in is your thing, then playing it safe is your game. Coloring between the lines, doing what you’re told to do, essentially not making any waves, complying to and with the status quo. There’s a sense of security that comes with fitting in, and that’s why most people choose this path.

However, if you want to stand out, then the first thing you should prepare for is rejection. This might sound a little harsh, but it’s because those whose thoughts and actions rock the boat and challenge the status quo are often rejected by those that are comfortable with the current system.

Now I know I said you couldn’t do both, but maybe I was exaggerating a little. What you can do is be situationally aware and decide when to stand out appropriately. Because if all you do is rebel, you’ll quickly find yourself locked up in a room by yourself. One of the ways to be situationally aware is learning to be chameleon-like, adapting to your environment, and then looking for opportunities to stand out if you choose to do so. Of course, do keep in mind and calculate the inherent risks associated with standing out.

So, while I don’t want to recommend which path you should take, I do want you to know that if you want to experience any autonomy over your own life, then you’ll need to be non-compliant and stand out. There will be the risk of rejection when you do so, but the reward of being your own person well outweighs the risks.

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