Behave

This AM I looked up the origin of one of my favorite sayings:

• Well-behaved women seldom make history  – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (1976)

Now at the risk of offending either my female friends and/or Ms. Ulrich, I’m going to suggest that the correlation between “absence of behavior” and “making an impact” is not solely confined to the female gender.

The reality is people get really uncomfortable when you deviate from the social norms.  When you misbehave.  As a rule we don’t like to be in uncomfortable situations.  So we behave.  But how in the world are you ever going to make a lasting impression — make history — if you confine yourself to the “normal” behaviors?  You’re not.  If you want to have an impact you’re going to need to step forward, stand out, and deal with the naysayers.  Good news though.  The naysayers normally are not a very hearty bunch and they back down easily.

Ultimately it’s up to you.  Sit there quietly as a good little boy or girl should do.  Or act out on those things that you know are important and have the potential to make an impact.  The choice is 100% yours.

With that in mind:

How are you going to misbehave today?

As always, thanks for the time.