The world is a bell curve. Class room test scores, employee performance in a company or how many people really, really like you. No matter the population you're studying, they always fit neatly across the standard deviations of the famous bell curve. The most important thing about the bell curve is that it is always balanced. If there are high performers on one side, there are low performers on the other. It is always balanced. Which brings me to the topic of this blog: the insane.
If we look at our population at large, we know that there are some that don't seem to fit well within the majority...in the middle of the curve. On the one side are the ones who end up in jail, in asylums or simply as outcasts. We know that this population exists, then what's on the other side to balance them off?
There are, in fact, two groups of society's misfits.
The first group, from the right side of the curve, are the socially dysfunctional misfits. These are the groups I just mentioned. They don't seem to live on the same planet as everyone else. They see things the most others can't. Worse, they lack the ability to interact in normal society. Which is why we push them to the side and point at them.
On the left side of the curve is another group of misfits. Like their brothers and sisters from across the curve, they also seem to live on another planet. They also see things most others can't. However, they are able to live what appear to be normal lives - i.e. they are socially functional. But don't be fooled. They are still misfits.
If you see things others can't and you're from the right side of the curve, they call you insane. If you see things others can't and you're from the left side, they call you a visionary. If you march to the beat of your own drum from the right side, they call you an outcast. If you march to the beat of your own drum from the left side, they call you unique or authentic.
The left-siders live among us, but they are not always easy to spot. You may have interacted with one at work once or twice. When they are young in their careers, we walk out of meetings with them and think they are weirdos. When they are advanced in their careers, we walk out of meetings with them and think they are geniuses.
This blog is for the left-siders out there. You know who you are. The worst part about being a left sider is that it's lonely. There are not that many out there, the majority - the middle of the bell - don't understand you. They can't see what you see. They can't imagine the world you can.
I have one word of advice for all of you - don't stop. Don't quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can't see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It's the one that makes the sweetest sound. And most importantly, when you meet other left-siders, give them a wink, let them know you know...and help them out when they need it.
The only way the left-siders change the world is when they band together to help each other.
If you suspect you're a left-sider - email me or find another left-sider and tell them the world you imagine. We may know someone who can help you build it.
If you suspect you know someone who is a left-sider, stay close to them, protect them and help them. Often, they are their own worst enemies. They can get in their own way and, if they can't clearly communicate the things they can see, others will fear them or ostracize them. The reason to help them, however, is that they are the ones who lead us into the future. They are the ones who change the world.
Hello…. Wow…you are simply awesome. You inspire me to pick up a pen and write my thoughts. Good. I like your way of narration…simplistic and informative. Hope to read more such good articles in the future.
Posted by: Kamagra 100mg | 01/21/2011 at 05:51 AM
Its terribly confusing to always feel different because of your staying true to yourself, or what you believe, or what you Love, and you wonder a lot: "why bother myself with being different???"
You either feel really great from what you do, or really, bad.
Therefore knowing WHAT you love and WHY you love it is crazy important.
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Posted by: siding and windows richmond | 11/09/2010 at 10:19 AM
See, the beautiful thing is that most people are left-siders for at least something.
Posted by: Robbie | 11/03/2010 at 09:21 PM
Simon .. thank you for this post. I used to have a young woman who worked for me that used to say people who have "this" ... this is the left-siders. It is a lonely place and often we think we are all alone, thanks for putting it so eloquently, softly and caring.
Posted by: Melody Johnson | 11/03/2010 at 12:12 PM
I love it! Totally agree...
Posted by: Ted | 07/02/2010 at 07:27 PM
You'll never hear us say "Is this as good as it gets?" we're always thinking of ways to make it better!!
Captivating presentation on TED "How great leaders inspire action"
Posted by: Annabelle | 05/20/2010 at 09:50 PM
Don't want to waste your time, so I make this one short: AWESOME! Agree with the former comments...I'm absolutely with you and consider myself as an up and coming left-sider. Thumbs up!
Posted by: Mariam Cisse | 05/20/2010 at 08:30 PM
Last week I watched your TED talk about "WHY". That was the most insightful TED I have heard. I would definitely place myself on the left-side. But its is difficult to stay there while repeatedly hearing "no?, "are you nuts?","can't be done". It seems much easier for people to tear down then build up.
Thank you for your insights!!
Posted by: Greg | 05/10/2010 at 09:18 AM
What a brilliant post, I loved it! I am a left-sider as well and this post helped me see that I am not the only one feeling lonely, weird or plain outcast because of it. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Annette | 05/06/2010 at 07:54 AM
Simon,
What a touching post. Lifelong left-sider here (I think lifelong is probably the only way to be a left-sider)— I love the idea that there's a band of us out there, looking for the secret wink. Exactly the message I needed in the middle of my particularly complicated day today.
Thanks.
Regards,
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | 05/05/2010 at 03:34 PM
This was a great post. I have never thought about 'protecting' the left. Some folks have had tremendous opportunity and should help out. Also, remembering to listen to your own drum is so important. If you are well versed in the topic at hand and believe in your direction...push through.
Thanks for the post Simon!
Posted by: Kellycrew.wordpress.com | 05/04/2010 at 09:12 PM
Thank you for reminding me to continue my journey.
I'm sailing the world, seeing what's out there and telling my tribe what I found and what they can achieve.
Posted by: Richard H | 05/01/2010 at 11:05 AM
Again Simon... you did it again!!!
If someone ever tried to map your DNA, he would definitely find the word INSPIRATION there.
Thanks for you posts. They always come at the right time, to keep my "Inspirometer" at high levels.
Great job!
Posted by: Luciano Palma | 04/29/2010 at 10:05 AM
As Dave Ramsey says, "Be weird. Be very, very weird. You don't want to be normal. Normal is BROKE!" This is his advice for people trying to get out of debt, and I think it applies to anyone who is trying to do something that they have never done before.
"You have to lose sight of the shore to sail to new lands." And you have to be CRAZY to be willing to lose sight of the shore.
Posted by: Tonysclassroom | 04/28/2010 at 02:27 PM