The Daily Life Coach

Most of my life, I’ve felt like I never truly fit in with most earthlings. I’m not saying I’m Super Human, but most entrepreneurs have a special DNA that normal humans don’t possess. When I was young, I talked to my friends and family about big purchases and goals. Most of them assumed I was just a dreamy Pisces and found me entertaining. They didn’t take me seriously and even joked about my lofty goals. This just added fuel to my fire.

During my younger years, my surroundings didn’t fit my professional goals, so I knew I would have to make my journey alone. (initially) No one else was experiencing my dream except for me, so I couldn’t expect anyone else to buy into it. Most of my friends were spending money on personal items while I invested in myself. It was no fun watching friends buy home theater systems, cool jewelry and exotic travel while I worked hard and studied. I believed that my fun purchases and trips were only deferred and not sacrificed. We can’t get caught up in the emotions we experience during challenging times or we will give up.

I also learned at a young age that success is not all high fives and chocolate ice cream. I had to make the decision to embrace some lonely days and use them to create and plan instead of cry and complain. I had to believe everyday that my hard work and sacrifice would pay off in the long run. I held on to words of hope that my family spoke to me and prayed. I also believed this lonely time was temporary and would improve once I paid off the dues owed to make it to the next level. Don’t think people on the next level are going to understand or embrace you. Everyone’s vision and motivation is unique to them.

Individual passion can’t be transferred or completely understood by others. Once I learned this, I began to understand why I didn’t fit in with most people I grew up with or the people I met as I moved up the professional ladder. Many of them couldn’t understand my drive, passion or vision. You can’t blame others for not being able to read your mind or see your vision. We are all blessed with different talents, gifts and paths to obtain them, so don’t freak out when people learn or grown differently than you. Focus on the end game and the ability to win together. I began to see others around me that didn’t feel like they fit in as well. That’s when I realized entrepreneurs are just wired differently. We look at ideas and processes from a different point of view. This is how we create innovations that move our society forward. Without this bass ackward thinking, we wouldn’t be so brilliant.

Embrace being different. I became a much better leader once I embraced that feeling of not being understood. I had to give a smaller piece of the map (my vision) to each teammate so they only got to see their own part of the mission. Once we complete the vision successfully, everyone understands it because they can play the journey back in their minds. Once your people trust you more based upon multiple successes, they will follow you without the doubt and drama. One day you will have a business family that understands you. Until then, embrace the fact that you may not fit in professionally throughout your journey. If you are an out of the box innovator, this will be your life’s legacy unless you surround yourself with other innovators. And all innovators aren’t created equally. Your team should consist of others that appreciate the uncomfortable feeling found during precise communication and objective thinking. Entrepreneurs and creators separate themselves from the pack by embracing the feeling of being different from their peers so stop crying and start making large stacks of cash you weirdo. I did…

Victor Young is the CEO of Human Technology Solutions, V. Young Enterprises and Victor Young Productions. He is co-owner of Lamborghini Sarasota, BMW of Sarasota and Lotus Sarasota with several other ventures in the works. Victor is a writer, director and producer of feature films, television series and documentaries with Media & Management Global. He is a Tampa native with three daughters and Married to Tia L. Young, founder of Tia Young Image & Etiquette. Subscribe to future blogs at www.thedailylifecoach.com/blog , follow Victor Young on Linkedin, The Daily Life Coach on Facebook and Youtube.