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Why We Shouldn’t Fear Being The Odd One In The Room!
Seeking only sameness leads to stagnation.
I recently went to a copywriting event, and while I was there, I discovered that I was the only person of color and the only writer who is now working in-house, with the rest being freelancers or working for agencies. It occurred to me that at one moment or another, every one of us felt that we were the only ones in the group who weren’t doing what everyone else was.
In life, we will inevitably find ourselves as the odd ones out in various settings—the only woman in a male-dominated field, the sole vegetarian at a barbecue, the first in our family pursuing a new path.
Rather than flee discomfort, know that in the role of outlier arises an immense opportunity for growth. Lean in.
“The values of the world we inhabit and the people we surround ourselves with have a profound effect on who we are.” — Malcom Gladwell
We live in a society that often values conformity and assimilation, where standing out can be seen as a liability rather than a strength.
When you disrupt and expand notions of “normal,” people’s perspectives crack open. Your different beliefs and lifestyles prompt introspection—even subtle acts like ordering a salad amidst steaks and plant seeds.
