4 Ways To Find Independence From The Ordinary (even at work)!

1. CLAIM YOUR NONCONFORMITY AT THE DOOR

Standing out can be a quiet gesture; it can be subtle, thoughtful, empathic. But it can also be loud, ruckus-filled, disruptive, or a combination of all of these. It can be standing onstage acting your heart out, or it can be working the equipment behind the curtain to make sure the set doesn’t come crashing down.

It’s time to stop apologizing for your perceived imperfections and start seeing the beauty in standing out. The next time you make an exquisite mistake—doodle an elaborate scene on your performance review form, answer the phone with “Hi, sexy,” (forgetting that you gave your cell number to your best customer) or misread the new Friday dress code guidelines and show up in a cropped top rather than cropped pants—instead of letting out a deflated “I’m so sorry,” try saying, “I’m so unique!” Instead of checking your nonconformity at the door, claim it.

2. HUG YOUR INNER CHILD TYRANT

Let’s face it, we all have a lil’ goody-two-shoes inside of us, a little part of ourselves that longs to fit in, insists that change is bad, and kicks our asses if we get out of line. It’s time to show a little compassion for that little bully who has run a tight ship all these years and kept us from letting our freak flag fly. Even though she comes from a place of fear and says annoying stuff like “If you don’t play by the rules you’re going to get fired,” that pocket-sized buzzkill has probably saved our jobs, lives, and dreams more than once. So imagine hugging that surly little nugget. Tighter. Until she loosens up a bit. Until she cracks a smile. Then go back to giving that little goody-two-shoes a hard time.

3. PUT THE I’M IN (I’M)PERFECT

Close your eyes and picture all of your wonderful flaws, all the stuff that makes you uniquely, weirdly YOU. Now picture each one of these unique qualities being taken away from you. The way you show up at work (and most dates) with your shirt inside out. How you harbor an unhealthy obsession for the Muppets. How you literally salivating when a plate of French fries is within a ten-mile radius. How you judge yourself for salivating. Then judge yourself for being judgmental. The way you tear up when looking at puppy pictures. Your untamable instinct to scream whenever you see a bug. What are you left with? To be perfect is to be invisible. Try saying out loud: (I’m)perfect . . . and so are you!

4. MAKE A “TO-DON’T” LIST

Are there any pesky patterns of procrastination that are keeping you from pursuing your passion? (Holy alliteration, Wonder Woman!) It’s okay, you can tell me. I’ve done ’em all! What do you do to avoid working toward achieving your dreams? Your goals? Come on. Are you fixated on Kondo-ing the crap out of your t-shirts, taking 10 minutes to smooth out each one and wonder, aloud, “Why? Just…WHY?!” How about obsessively checking your social media? Compulsive texting? Extreme snacking?

It’s your job as a Creative Trespasser to fail at the things you can do tomorrow and kick ass at all the things you choose to do today.

By consciously changing your habits, you change the trajectory of your life. You can choose to prioritize the things that enliven you rather than things that drag you down. You can choose to live your life with intention. Because with intention comes freedom.

Grab a piece of paper. On top write: TO-DON’T LIST. List all of the crap you do to avoid your dreams. Be honest and detailed. When you’re finished making the list, escort it to a fireplace or backyard fire pit and . . . burn, baby, burn!

These tips are adapted from, "Creative Trespassing: How to Put the Spark and Joy Back into Your Work and Life."