by Sunil Bali, 23-12-18

At the age of 21, Todd Rose was a high-school dropout struggling to support his wife and two small children. He was on state benefits and had worked his way through ten minimum wage jobs in two years.

Todd remembers his report cards at school which had a common thread and read, "He’s a little hyperactive and finds it difficult to fit in."

One day when he was at a very low ebb, blaming his school and teachers for his misfortune, Todd’s father – who had worked his way up from tea boy and floor cleaner to mechanical engineer – gave him some life changing advice:

"I’ve lived with you for 21 years Todd. You’re not lazy or stupid. You’re just fine the way you are,you don’t need fixing. You just need to find something that really interests you and someone to teach it to you." His dad’s words hit home so he enrolled in a series of human biology classes at his local college.

Todd found the psychology classes gripping, not least because he realized that school had not worked out because he was outside the range of the average, normal student and as such, not catered for.

The reality is that no one is actually completely average and has at least one skill or talent, be that as yet undeveloped, which is well above average.

In a world that has perpetuated the cult of the average and valued sameness, conformity is losing its grip on the reins as authenticity and exceptions rule.

There’s one thing that you’re a world champion at. No one does it better than you. You’re the best at being you. And when you’re being your best self, your world will transform from a round hole to the shape of your square peg.

 

Ps. Todd is now 42 years old and Professor of Education at Harvard.

Pps. You believed in Santa for a few years, so how about believing in yourself for a few weeks and see what happens.

 

Humour

In preparation for Xmas remember to set your scales back 10 pounds.

I was staying in a hotel last night.
Before I went to bed, I phoned down to reception.

"Hi, this is room 317. Can I have a wake-up call, please?"

The receptionist replied, "Yes. You’re fat, in your 40′s and given you’re staying in such a cheap hotel probably haven’t achieved much in your life."

 

Boss: Do you believe in the afterlife?

Employee: No I don’t, because there’s no proof.

Boss: So if I could prove to you that there is life after death, would you believe in the afterlife?

Employee: If you could prove it 100%, then I would believe in life after death.

Boss: OK. Here’s the proof. After you left early yesterday to go to your Uncle’s funeral, he came here looking for you to go and play golf.

 

And finally, thank you so much for letting me into your Inbox this year.

I’m truly humbled and grateful that my musings are worthy of your attention.

See you on 6th Jan.

Have a very,

And remember that it’s not what’s under the Xmas tree that matters, it’s whose around it.

 

Live big & love deep.

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com