Written by: Rick Lowe, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Being a maverick, or someone who goes against the grain and follows their own path, can have several advantages.
Here is my list of 10 advantages:
1. CREATIVITY
Mavericks often have unique perspectives and ideas, leading to higher levels of creative solutions and innovations. In life, every day presents new challenges and thinking outside the box allows us to bring fresh ideas and ways of doing things to overcome obstacles and push us forward.
2. INDEPENDENCE
Mavericks are not bound by conventional rules or expectations, giving them the freedom to make independent decisions. The art of taking personal responsibility is key to empowering your mindset and putting your own unique stamp on the world around you. It can be a lonely journey at times, but you will gain greater insight into yourself and be able to deal far more effectively at what life sends in your direction.
3. LEADERSHIP
They can inspire others with their unconventional thinking and willingness to take risks, making them effective leaders. The very skill of clearly defining your purpose and goals with utter conviction drives loyalty and attracts those other colleagues and team members into your orbit, to help and support you.
4. RESILIENCE
They are often more resilient because they are used to facing challenges and setbacks. Think of the metaphor of the chrysalis and the butterfly - it is the sheer relentless determination that nature imbues in the chrysalis to force itself out of its hard cocoon that allows it to transform into a beautiful butterfly. Life rarely presents us with a smooth ride so embrace the bumps and twists in the road and push ahead regardless.
5. PERSONAL GROWTH
Going against the norm can lead to personal growth and self-discovery as you continuously learn from your experiences. Most high achievers would say that the journey of life is not about what you accumulate in riches, but actually what you become as an individual that is the most important. We are designed to keep growing, learning and developing, and mavericks tend to have a curious mind with a constant yearning to challenge themselves.
6. ADAPTABILITY
Mavericks are adaptable and open to change, making them well-suited for dynamic environments. It has never been more evident than today, how flexible we all need to be to navigate through life and business. Think of an aircraft that takes off from London to New York. It constantly has to adapt to changing weather conditions and other variables and trim its flightpath in order to arrive safely at its destination. Life for us is exactly the same. Remain flexible with an open mind and embrace the changes pushed upon us.
7. INFLUENCE
They can have a significant impact on their fields or industries by challenging the status quo. Your ability to guide and mold a situation is vital to achieving your preferred outcome. Mavericks have the innate trait to drive change though a mixture of honesty, integrity and gritty determination. This generates energy and momentum that gets those around you in sync together to achieve more.
8. INNOVATION
Mavericks drive innovation by pushing the boundaries of what's possible and introducing new ideas and technologies. Every major breakthrough in the history of the world has been preceded by a catalog of failed attempts and wrong assumptions - but eventually success prevails and humanity takes a new step forward. After all, it was Napoleon Hill that said ‘what the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.’
9. PROBLEM-SOLVING
They excel at solving complex problems by thinking outside the box and approaching issues from unconventional angles. One of my close business associates said to me once - ‘every day is a battle’. Your ability to dismantle challenges that present themselves and find a way through is the real mark of a maverick, where an ‘everything is possible’ mindset prevails.
10. FREEDOM
Mavericks enjoy the freedom to chart their own course in life, pursuing their passions and interests without being confined by societal norms.. This is perhaps the real reason we chase our dreams. The ability to define our own outcomes and immerse ourselves in a life that we have designed where we make our own choices. This leads to bigger benefits like peace of mind and harmony with the world within our heads and the one that exists outside. Mavericks understand this as the ultimate outcome and realize that the sacrifices and difficult decisions they make along the way ultimately lead to freedom.
It's worth noting that while being a maverick has its advantages, it is not an easy or guaranteed route to success. But for those that are prepared to chart their own course in life and take the ups and downs along the way, whilst maintaining a positive mindset, and stay focussed on what they truly desire, the journey will be well worth it.
I wish all you mavericks and those in the making, all the success you deserve.
Rick Lowe, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Rick Lowe, is a serial entrepreneur in the world of licensed fashion. Coming from humble beginnings of a small street market stall to the global market today using tenacity, resilience and determination. His journey has led him into co-founding Brands In Ltd, being a founding member of the Company of Entrepreneurs as well as a Past Master. His business life involves working with some of the biggest entertainment brands such as Disney, Warners and Netlfix as well as popular music artists, and servicing leading high street retailers with licensed fashion.
In London, Rick constantly strives for active entrepreneurship as an ambassador for Home Grown – London’s leading business club, providing personal and business development talks through public speaking, social media. He has already recently started to dive into the podcast space by interviewing key game changers in the space of business and personal development.
