I saw a guy at the gym yesterday working out in a pretty ridiculous outfit, complete with a pair of over-sized sunglasses. He looked absurd and I’m positive I wasn’t the only one who noticed, but he clearly couldn't care less. And as he worked out in his ridiculous outfit (complete with sunglasses) I couldn’t help admire him for doing his own thing without a thought to other people’s opinion.
 
I also started reflecting on times that I’ve curbed my own excitement, avoided doing something bold or maybe even outrageous because I was worried how it might be perceived. Even on the web where people are supposed to be uninhibited and brave, we tend to make safe, comfortable decisions to maintain our reputation and shape our personal brand. But as I said in this post late last year - with so many people swimming in the same ocean - you need to work twice as hard to get noticed.

Clearly I'm not the only one thinking about making bold moves in the new year, and really, what better time to put yourself out there? Not to sound like one of those motivational posters on a dorm-room wall, but sometimes the best thing you can do is move out of your comfort zone and create some genuine fear. Force your brain to make choices from a completely different vantage point and see what happens. Most importantly: Be prepared to fail. And don't just anticipate it, embrace it. Revel in it.

I'm going to try some new things this year (starting very soon) and I'm bound to fail at some point but I'll take it in stride and try not to hear the people who point and laugh. So who's with me (crazy sunglasses and all)?