Be Unexpected

Posted on Posted in Books, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development

I started reading Chris Guillebeau back in 2008 when I stumbled upon his manifesto entitled “a brief guide to world domination*: How to Live a Remarkable Life
in a Conventional World *and other important goals.” direct PDF link. It’s still worth a read.

And yes, it took me until I was 40 and seeing this bit – “You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to” – that I truly started feeling and being fully comfortable in my own skin. And yes, I know, it’s ridiculous that it took permission from some anonymous stranger on the internet to get there. But if you’re like me, and need that nudge of external validation…you’re welcome.

You don't have to live your life the way other people expect you to
From the Manifesto

 

As of this week, Chris is now an NYT best seller with his recent book The Happiness of Pursuit. Awesome. I haven’t read this one, yet, but I enjoyed his $100 Startup book.

In this theme, I saw a new to me (but released in 2010) advertisement that nails this concept. Fantastic. Bleu de Chanel.

Visually stunning, but if you are impatient, advance to 47 seconds.

“I’m not going to be the person I’m expected to be anymore.”

I got goosebumps.

Pause.

“Be Unexpected.”

I clapped. In my living room.

1 Comment on “Be Unexpected”

  1. I like that…be unexpected, better yet, not being bound by other people’s expectation. The execution of that is hard and will require a strength of character as hard as Wolverine’s claws.