it repeatedly, even if it no longer works well. The greatest enemy to to-morrow’s success is sometimes today’s
success. My friend Andy Stanley recently taught a leadership lesson at INJOY’s Catalyst Conference called
“Challenging the Process.” He described how progress must be preceded by change, and he pointed out many
of the dynamics involved in questioning popular thinking. In an organization, he said, we should remember that
every tradition was originally a good idea—and perhaps even revolutionary. But every tradition may not be a
good idea for the future.
In your organization, if you were involved in putting into place what currently exists, then it’s likely that you will
resist change—even change for the better. That’s why it’s important to challenge your own thinking. If you’re too
attached to your own thinking and how everything is done now, then nothing will change for the better.

4. Try New Things in New Ways

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Do you avoid taking risks or trying new things?
One of the best ways to get out of the rut of your own thinking is to innovate. You can do that in little, everyday
ways: drive to work a different way from normal. Order an unfamiliar dish at your favorite restaurant. Ask a
different colleague to help you with a familiar project. Take yourself off of autopilot.
Unpopular thinking asks questions and seeks options. In 1997, my three companies moved to Atlanta,
Georgia. It’s a great city, but traffic at peak times can get crazy. Immediately after moving here, I began looking
for and testing alternative routes to desired destinations so that I would not be caught in traffic. From my house
to the airport, for example, I have discovered and used nine routes within eight miles and twelve minutes from
one another. Often I am amazed to see people sitting on the freeway when they could be moving forward on an
alternative route. What is the problem? Too many people have not tried new things in new ways. It is true: most
people are more satisfied with old problems than committed to finding new solutions.
How you go about doing new things in new ways is not as important as making sure you do it. (Besides, if
you try to do new things in the same way that everyone else does, are you really going against popular thinking?
) Get out there and do something different today.

5. Get Used to Being Uncomfortable

When it comes right down to it, popular thinking is comfortable. It’s like an old recliner adjusted to all the
owner’s idiosyncrasies. The problem with most old recliners is that no one has looked at them lately. If so,
they’d agree that it’s time to get a new one! If you want to reject popular thinking in order to embrace
achievement, you’ll have to get used to being uncomfortable.

If you embrace unpopular thinking and make decisions based upon what works best and what is right rather

than what is commonly accepted, know this: in your early years you won’t be as wrong as people think you

are. In your later years, you won’t be as right as people think you are. And all through the years, you will be

better than you thought you could be.

Thinking Question

Am I consciously rejecting the limitations of common thinking in order to accomplish

uncommon results?