Last week I introduced what I am calling, Friday’s Food for the Soul. Every Friday, I am going to talk about something non-tech or work related. There are so many things that I can talk about and explore; art, history, traveling, philosophy, etc. Friday is my day to do so and I hope you will join me and share your thoughts and ideas with me. I think it is important for all of us to spend time thinking about and pondering things that are not directly related with what we do for a living. How often do you let your mind explore?

picture of salvador daliI have always been a fan of Salvador Dali. Something about him and his art sparks a creative yet daring desire to do something extraordinary. Recently I had the privilege of visiting his home/museum (I believe it was in Barcelona) and I have never seen so much passion and emotion behind art, work, and life. They say there is a fine line between genius and insanity. Perhaps Salvador Dali was insane, maybe I am too. We are all a little insane aren’t we?

There is a story about Salvador Dali, which goes as follows:

a painting of salvador dali's wifeAt a dinner event held for prestigious guests, Salvador Dali decided to surprise everyone with a little stunt. Waiters brought out the evenings meal for everyone, which was covered on a silver tray. Once the food was placed in front of everyone and the covers were removed, frogs with ink on their legs began jumping around everywhere from beneath the food covers, staining the elegant attire of all those in attendance and frightening everyone. Does this sound like something a genius would do or something a crazy man would do?

So what does this have to do with anything? Well, it is a great example of personal brand building. painting by salvador daliDali became famous for being the crazy, eccentric, genius who painted with his mustache. Dali differentiated himself and was able to build one of the most powerful personal brands known today. Overtime his ways of painting and his unusual demeanor became an asset that helped his art and his name spread. Sure, at first it was difficult to break the rules and stand out, but he did, and now he is admired as one of the greatest painters in the world. Don’t be scared to create your own paths in life and in business. You do not always have to do something that was already done, make yourself different, make yourself unique. If Dali was crazy then I wish that all of us were a little more crazy…

What can you do to stand out, to be different, to be a little…crazy?

I leave you with a few quotes by Salvador Dali:

“I am not strange, I am just not normal.”

“There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.”

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.”

“Happy is he who causes a scandal.”

“The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad.”

“At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.”

“Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them, understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them.”

Thanks for reading everyone!

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