The Uncommon Life

There is immense value in being able to think and act independently in a world of conformity and convention – in fact, all innovation and novelty depends on it. It can be challenging to free ourselves from the explicit and implicit forces that keep our brain in the box, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Read More →

What does it mean to be uncommon? Well, it means a few things. Here are some of the most important… Read More →

Advice about the “real world” may come with good intentions, but that doesn’t make it accurate. Don’t “get real” in light of someone else’s definition of the “real world.” What someone else finds true need not become your dogma. Read More →

It seems that most people act as though they are either preparing for the “real world” or attempting to escape it through mindless entertainment, drugs, denial, etc. I can’t help but ask, “If we’re preparing for the ‘real world’ or trying to break free from it, then what reality are we in?” Read More →

We are often led to believe that knowledge creates a better life. This is not entirely so. If knowledge were all it took, there would be many more happy, wealthy people. The reality is: Knowledge is only as valuable as the degree to which it is applied. Read More →

As humans, we are fully capable of labeling any personal decision or behavior as justifiable. And this rationale can easily detain us a in a pattern of comfort and convenience, slowly and clandestinely keeping us away from our goals and our ideal life. This is why it’s important to pursue adventure… Read More →

Going through life without assessing performance, results, and direction only encourages monotony and mediocrity. Life should not be a mundane process – and nor does it need to be. With some thought, reflection, and planning life can become a journey of purpose and passion. But I assure you, this doesn’t happen without being proactive and very honest with yourself. Read More →

If you would have told me 5 years ago that too much learning could be detrimental, I would have sought the nearest soapbox to beam my message of opposition. But during these last two years, as I spent an increasing amount of time online, I’ve realized how a deep desire to learn (and even a unquenchable curiosity) can also be a liability. Read More →

Too easily and too often we assume our perspectives are the best, most logical, and perhaps only way to interpret the world. But this train of thought is not only fallacious, but perilous. We shut doors of opportunity and growth that we didn’t even know existed. Read More →

Common: When assuming the negative becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Uncommon: Before you started reading this article you had to assume at least one thing: That reading this would be worth your time.  Before you brushed your teeth this morning you … Read More →

The sources of our greatest problems are two fold: 1) Lack of information and perhaps, most importantly, 2) Wrong information. Yet, here we are, supposedly the wittiest species on Earth making fundamental erroneous assumptions that undermine our ability to triumph over our more inherent human flaws. But ignorance need not be one of those flaws. Read More →

“I can’t dance.” “I can’t give a public speech.” “I can’t start a business.” Sound familiar? Perhaps, if we were to be completely honest with ourselves, a more fitting description would begin with “I won’t.” We choose to use the word “can’t” when the process involves fear, inconvenience, or sacrifices that we are unwilling to endure. This is precisely why “can’t” is typically a choice rather than an accurate suggestion of impossibility. Read More →