He is seen by some people as an off the wall character.

While others see him as a genius…

And this also includes what he was known for.

In fact, even his name has the sound of someone who is outlandish.

Not only that but the names of his children are just as bizarre as this most obvious eccentric man.

And yet…

One of his quotes without a doubt has an important place in your life. Because when you live by the meaning of this quote, your life will certainly transform in the way you want…as long as you don’t take it to extremes.

First the man…

Frank Zappa

…and the quote:

“Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible.”

And how fitting is it that Frank Zappa would say something like this?

Certainly not out of the ordinary…or perhaps it is.

Now before you see how big of an impact this has in your life, ask yourself the question…

Are you deviating (and elevating) from the norm

1. Long hair and a wooden leg- While I’m not really a fan of Frank Zappa’s music, I do find some of his quotes outrageous…and at the same time providing some profound wisdom. Here’s one such quote while being interviewed on TV:

“Interviewer: ‘So Frank, you have long hair. Does that make you a woman?’
Frank Zappa: ‘You have a wooden leg. Does that make you a table?”

While quotes like this were typical of Zappa, and seem funny on the outside they do have meaning…some more important than others.

In this case it’s an excellent example of never judging a book by its cover. Now on the outside Frank Zappa may have looked “different” at the time because of his long hair, yet that doesn’t mean he has nothing of value to contribute to others.

The same is true of the gentleman with the wooden leg.

Now I’m not sure if that gentleman took what Zappa said seriously. However my interpretation of it is that just because someone has a “disability” it doesn’t mean they can’t do extraordinary things in their lives. Hence the comment, “does that make you a table?”

And this ties right in with deviating (and elevating) from the norm.

Because unless you stand out in a large way—to the point where you are “pushing the envelope” and in the process going against the norm—you’ll be playing small in life…and get small results in the process.

And it’s worth mentioning again…

When I say deviate and go against the norm, I’m not saying to go to extremes just for the fun of it…or to where it hurts other people.

What I am saying is to have a vision that’s true to you while at the same time serves the world. Because this is how progress is made…just like Zappa says in his quote.

Just to give you a personal example…

My purpose and mission is to help people maximize their full potential and live inspiring lives…by realizing the magnificence and brilliance of who they are.

A big part of this involves showing people how to live fulfilled lives.

And while most people are out there promoting happiness and the idea of trying to live a happy life…I promote living a fulfilled life.

In the process you’ll hear me speak about how trying to live a happy life is unrealistic and how it actually causes many of the things you don’t want in your life.

Of course this goes against what most people in personal development and self help teach.

However my intention is to help people with methods that are designed to work and if that means going against what everyone else is saying…then I’m deviating from the norm and that’s ok with me…as long as it’s helping others in the process.

Now what about you?

Where can you deviate (and elevate) from the norm and in a sincere and helpful way that serves others and the world?

2. Reverse polarity- Let me briefly talk about a magnet. Why? Because it is directly involved in how your life turns out and has very much to do with deviating and elevating from the norm. This is where reverse polarity comes in.

Reverse polarity is when you have a positive hooked up with a negative. This is the same concept used with magnets.

It’s also the same concept that’s involved with you and every other human being.

Taking this a step further…

It’s also involved in every situation and event you come across in your life.

And it’s right at the core when it comes to you deviating (and elevating) from the norm.

Remember…

No matter what you do in your life, you’ll get both sides. People will be nice and mean to you, support and challenge you, like and dislike you, praise and criticize you…equally.

So in the process you may as well be your true self even if it means deviating from the norm…right?

Anything big that you’re looking to achieve in your life requires you in some way to deviate (and then elevate) from the norm.

And along the way you’re likely to have others laugh at you, while thinking you’re crazy. Look no further than Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Einstein, and any other person who made a worldwide impact …they deviated (and elevated) from the norm.

Speaking of elevating from the norm…

It’s one thing to be different and go against “the rules” so to speak, yet it’s also incredibly important that you elevate above the norm.

Why?

Because this is where you go above and beyond what most people are conditioned into…mediocrity. And I’ll be coming back to this in a minute.

Right now, however, just know that by elevating from the norm is where you go against what most people have been conditioned into thinking…and at the same time helping others be the change they seek in the world… while you’re being inspired as well.

And as strange as it sounds, this can take place within your own family…among your friends…in your career…and in any area of life most important to you.

Here’s something else to keep in mind…

3. Disguised geniuses- What exactly is “the norm?” Simply put, it’s when you follow what everyone else is doing just because someone (that was conditioned to do so) says you “should” or are “supposed to” or “have to” do it.

You can also look at this as “parroting” what others say… or following the “sheeple” mentality…or just following what the crowd does because “everyone is doing it.”

Even though at times this is necessary, it does provide a double edge sword.

And leads to a bigger problem as it relates to you…

Unless you know how to avoid it.

This is where I want to come back to what I mentioned earlier and bring up one of my quotes…

“You were born into genius and conditioned into mediocrity.”

Every person is a genius. You, your children, the people you care about most, your friends…everyone.

The only way that you cannot see this is if you’ve been conditioned…into mediocrity. And if you have, it’s certainly not your fault.

However it’s time for you to change that.

First, it starts by realizing what you’ve just read in the last few sentences.

And second…

The Frank Zappa quote.

In order for you to condition yourself back into the genius you are, it’s vital that you deviate (and elevate) from the norm to some degree.

The big reason why?

Because if you don’t… someone, an organization, or an institution will condition you the way they want. And you’ll end up subordinating your dreams and be living according to theirs.

And that is not what I desire for you.

That’s why I’m writing this…that’s why I do what I do…that’s why I teach the programs I do.

And it is my mission to make sure that you realize the magnificence and brilliance of who you are…

And to know that you’re here to provide a tremendous amount of value to the world through the uniqueness of who you are…

And to reveal your disguised genius…

Because if you don’t, nobody else will reveal or honor it in you either.

So be sure to treat yourself as the special person you are, while helping and treating those you care about as the special people they are.

And…

Be sure to “thank yourself” for who you are because there’s a lot to be thankful for.