If you answered "YES", I say congratulations!  In this world, you will need as much of that as you can muster up. Hold on to your individuality. No, I'm not saying break the law, or hurt anybody. Far from it. This has nothing to do with basic social decorum where you have to pay your bills and take a shower and not pick fights in the bar, and try to be considerate of other people. Oh sure, if something makes sense, I'll go along with it. But I won't accept everything that's presented to me.

Do you feel that little tug to pull away every time you are urged to conform to anything? You just want to do the opposite, right? Be honest. I consider that to be a sign of life. A sign of hope for our ultimate survival as a race. Why, because you're not a sheep. You're questioning.

Have you noticed...we are living in a world where mediocrity is rewarded? Have never understood it really. Bothers me a whole lot. When I was designing products for an assortment of manufacturers, I was encouraged to be a year ahead of others, but not too far ahead, because it would be commercially not viable. Well, I actually understand that. Companies are in business to make sales. When you are too far ahead, the second string followers scoop up your ideas, and present them to the marketplace in the time frame that they are acceptable. Those are the guys who make most of the money. The "originators" make money too, but usually less. Look at the handbag business and all the knock-offs. How many $14,000 handbags do you think are being sold?

Patience guys, I'm going somewhere with this. When you market anything, you have to first market yourself. Decide who you want to be first. Do you want to lead the pack? Or would you be happy hooking on to a leader and bask in the fall out? The leader takes the big risk. The originator test markets. The person who follows often makes more profit. Either way, it's your call. And you won't go hungry either way.

If the rebel is strong in you, then like me, you won't be content to be a follower, even if the monetary reward is greater by being the second string. Also, if you feel an urge to do something that is a new idea, then you won't be content not giving expression to it. Dyed in the wool businessmen/women will prefer the more profitable root. Their art form is business. I respect that too. There will be a cross section that feels as I do. If it's in you, it needs expression. So, put it out there.

Ok, I know, I know. There's nothing new under the sun. But there's no combination of molecules quite like "you" either, so I say go for it.