The Willingness to Think Differently | Leo Babauta, zenhabits

I connected with Babauta's blog post in my daily online paper about simplicity, Garbl's Simple Dreams. His ideas certainly relate to living simply, but I think they relate even more to creativity--being creative, creating new and better things. 

He begins:

I can summarize the most successful people I've ever known with one trait: the willingness to challenge mainstream ideas.

Babauta lists some things he and his family have done to simplify and enhance their lives. But he writes:

This isn't a post to brag about all of that — it’s to share what I believe is a real key to life: the willingness to think differently than most people.

It means you have to be willing to question what most people do and tell you. It means you have to have the courage to try something different. It means you have to be brave enough to stand out from the crowd and not take the safe route.

He goes on to describe some things people do while taking the safe route, nothing that "our need to play it safe turns up in every part of our lives."

But then he gives some ideas about learning to think differently:

When you hear an idea that’s different than what you’re used to, pause. Instead of rejecting it outright, consider it — is there some merit? What are the arguments, the evidence?

He concludes:

Learn to be proud of your ability to test things that people traditionally believe in, and not to worry so much if you stand out. In fact, learn to see standing out as good — not just to stand out, but to forge new ground, to challenge ideas, to express your individual voice rather than blending in.

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Garbl's Simple Dreams is available at the Simplicity tab above and by free mail superscription.

For more ideas on the topic of creativity, check the Creativity tab above and visit Garbl's Creativity Resources Online. It's an annotated directory of websites that provide advice for increasing creativity and innovation in your writing, in your personal life, on the job, in school, in the arts and elsewhere. Many of the sites have links to other resources on creativity.