If you want to accelerate your business or personal growth, you have to think differently than those around you. Following the same path will get you the same results. The same results you always get, or the same results others always get. And if you want to truly make a difference (or money – whatever you are going for), the same old results won’t cut it.

I’m guessing this isn’t news you to. Thinking differently – creatively, innovatively – isn’t a new idea. It has always worked, and people have been talking about it forever.

Apple used “Think Different” as a slogan for their computers in the late 90s.

In one of my favorite quotes, Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

My entire company is built on the premise of helping you be more creative and innovative in business and in life. But here is what a lot of people don’t say about thinking differently – including me, until now.

It’s hard.

You will fail.

People will judge you.

Thinking differently than everyone else takes courage. It goes against the norm and the status quo. And a lot of people don’t like things that go against the grain.

It’s hard to stand out and be different and do different things. That’s why most people don’t do it. Most people like easy and routine, without any bumps in the road. You will encounter mountains, not just bumps.

There is a 100% chance that at some point, something you try will fail. And failing sucks. We can glamorize failure in terms of what you learn and how it helps you grow, but the actual act of failing still feels like someone punched you in the throat.

In the middle of all this hard stuff and failing, you will be judged. People will hate you and hate on you. They will make fun of you and tell you all of the reasons why you will end up broke and homeless. It’s demoralizing and exhausting.

So, just to recap… thinking differently is hard, you will fail, and people will judge you.

Great! Now what?

Do it anyway.

Do it because you have to.

Do it because thinking differently is the only way to improve yourself and to improve the world.