Ep 66 Originality: What to embrace, fight, stop and start to rediscover your voice and create your best ideas.

Show notes

In Episode 66, Stephen goes deep on the power and challenge of originality. This isn’t about being a rebel for rebellion’s sake. It’s about fighting to hold onto your unique voice in a world that constantly tries to strip it away. If you’ve ever felt like your ideas aren’t good enough, that your work looks like everyone else’s, or that you’re stuck in mediocrity, this is your episode.

You’ll learn the difference between authenticity and pretense, how to push back on the systems that dull your creativity, and most importantly, how to choose progress over excuses. Originality isn’t just a trait. It’s a discipline.

Why Originality Gets Crushed:

• Schools, jobs, and even ourselves train us to fit in, not stand out
• Insecurity, fear, and imposter syndrome hold us back from taking risks
• Groupthink and passive leadership reward sameness over substance

The Four-Part Framework: Embrace, Fight, Stop, Start

1. Embrace:

• Radical honesty with yourself and your work
• Insecurity is normal. So is self-doubt. Keep going anyway.
• Own your backstory. That’s where your originality lives.

2. Fight:

• The need to appeal to everyone (you won’t)
• The urge to be a jack-of-all-trades (depth matters more than breadth)
• Groupthink, weak leaders, and creative apathy

3. Stop:

• Letting imposter syndrome run the show
• Rationalizing mediocrity or why something “can’t” be done
• Copying others instead of cultivating your own taste
• Waiting for a perfect moment to start

4. Start:

• Making more statements, fewer questions
• Developing a creative palate by consuming world-class work
• Creating consistently and seeking feedback (steel sharpens steel)
• Surrounding yourself with people who push you, challenge you, and support your growth
• Preparing for opportunity before it knocks

Choose Changes Over Excuses

Originality takes work. It requires discomfort, vulnerability, and discipline. You’ll never grow by playing it safe or waiting for permission.

Stephen challenges you to:

• Write down 2-3 things to stop, start, and fight
• Post them somewhere visible. Share them with someone who will hold you accountable.
• Do the work. Even when it’s hard. Especially then.

Change is a choice. Excuses are a habit. Pick one.

Subscribe. Review. Stay crazy.

Tagged as:
authentic voice corporate culture creative inspiration creative voice creativity developing i embracing creativity fighting conformity groupthink originality overcoming self-doubt standing out Stephen Gates The Crazy One podcast unique ideas