Our history is full of people who attempted crazy things, faced insurmountable odds, and were ridiculed. Yet, when they became successful, they were then hailed as brilliant, genius, and visionary leaders. This pattern reveals a fundamental truth: true innovation often begins at the fringes of accepted thought, and the path to greatness is rarely paved with immediate validation. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to persevere, to believe in the unseen, and to ultimately reshape the world in ways others initially deemed impossible.
Yet, we still call people crazy for trying new things. We are still reluctant to do things differently because, "no one else is doing it." Many of us want to be the innovator. We want to be the person that comes up with new ideas, but we are unwilling to take risks, break the mold, and try something new. History is full of examples where groundbreaking ideas were initially met with skepticism or outright ridicule. Take Jonas Hanway, for instance. In the 1750s, he was literally pelted with trash for daring to carry an umbrella in London, a fashion accessory then considered effeminate and a threat to coach drivers’ livelihoods. It took decades for the umbrella to become a widely accepted item. Or consider the early days of aviation. In 1911, French General Ferdinand Foch famously dismissed airplanes as mere "interesting scientific toys" with "no military value." Fast forward a few years, and those "toys" revolutionized warfare. Even the personal computer faced similar doubts. In 1977, the CEO of Digital Equipment Corporation declared there was "no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home," and Hewlett-Packard rejected Steve Wozniak’s Apple I five times. We all know how that turned out. And let’s not forget J.K. Rowling, whose Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by a dozen publishers who thought it too long and complex for children. Today, it’s a global phenomenon. These stories remind us that what seems outlandish today might just be the next big thing tomorrow. Yet, we avoid doing things differently.
I have been on the fundraising circuit a few times, and each time the principal objection that I hear often is, ‘no one is doing that,’ or rephrased, ‘that is not how it is done.’ When I hear this, I think to myself, that is why I am here, isn’t it? To raise money so that I can do something completely different than everyone else!? It is a funny juxtaposition. On one hand, people will tell you that you are unique enough, and on the other hand, they will tell you that you are not doing it the way that everyone else is. This just leads me to the final conclusion. When you are doing something new, everyone will think you are crazy right up to the point you have success. Then they will accept you.
So the moral of this story is just be different. Do not worry about what others say or think or how it is supposed to be. Be creative. Be wild. Do things that others are not willing to do. Take on the impossible. People will say you are nuts. They will say that you are chasing rainbows, or you have your head in the clouds. When you make that improbable thing become an everyday reality, then you will be their hero. However, I have to warn you.
This is the lonely path. A path of isolation and separation. Sometimes the crazy idea has more pain than you realize and often times you actually never do succeed. You are not guaranteed the fairy tale ending. Your idea could just be that, crazy. For every 100 people that had a crazy idea, ended up with just that, a crazy idea. Do not blame others for not accepting you. Do not require others to pay your way, or to let you off the hook for the basics in life. You made the choice to chase the crazy. I love you for it, but do not come whining when you find out that it was actually just impossible. If someone joins you, great! Cherish that moment but do not begrudge them when they decide to get off the crazy train, we all have different tolerances. Feel grateful they joined you for part of the journey.
Of all the famous people we highlight as examples of chasing the far-fetched notion, there are millions of others that did not make it. This is the odds that you accept when you decide to go against the grain. Do not expect easy swimming when you are heading upstream. Do not expect to ride free and clear and fare-free on a taxi cab to easy street. You did not choose easy street, you chose the crazy train in the middle of crazy town, that is on you. So be my guest, choose the difficult way. I applaud you, I might even hold your hand when you cry about all the stress – but this is the way, isn’t it? When you finally have that moment of ultimate success, you will know the price you paid. It is never cheap.
