#DeepThoughtSeries - Episode 2: "The Reality Distortion Field"

One lesson I learn from studying the lives of great men and women is the audacity at which, they act on new ideas.

From an early age, they train to awaken innate creative instincts. Solving complex problems comes natural to these special few, and preparing ahead for opportunities is the holy grail for major success.

Science tells us the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, and the earth is rather spherical, not circular in shape. Because this is proven to be true, we have become confined to this scientific thinking, without having to question reality beyond the known truths.

Another analogy says, metals are known to be good conductors of electricity, and in same vein, the human brain has potential to conduct ideas from infinite to finite forms. If it is true that life gives an unfair advantage to all humans, why then do some persons settle for less, while others blaze new trails?

Let's take a dive into the inspiring story of Steve Jobs - a notable American innovator, and the billionaire business magnate who co-founded the world's most-valuable company, Apple Inc.

There already exists quite a number of books, articles and documentaries produced on the life of this business enigma, but we will not delve so deep into it. 

The focus is on his concept of having a "reality distortion field" and why it matters today. Without an iota of doubt, he left indelible marks in the field of technology and innovation.

Steve Job was the brain box behind the world's biggest revolution and product launches in the technology space. To attain this feat, he applied what scientists believe to be " the reality distortion field". This was his way of pushing people beyond what was thought to be humanely possible.

He was able to inspire people to see more than present limitations and in fact, this pulled down the invisible walls to their creativity. There's a fine line between what's possible and what's real to the human senses. 

Steve was able to not only get the impossible tasks done, but also, he was able to distort reality, time and time again. His reality was flexible, and he made the world see things from his perspective.

Key lessons to note:

Many great ideas get restricted whenever we confine ourselves to the old philosophy that says, "this is how things have always been done". We must choose not to stifle our creative instincts, but rather, look for ways to do what's impossible. That's how to change the world.

If we could build products and services that go beyond the natural, and beyond our beliefs and trainings, maybe that would be what births totally new ways of thinking - of seeing the things around us.

We must be deliberate in our attempts to distort our realities, and with the use of metaphors - ideas connected to a larger purpose, the paradigm shift can be as greatly underestimated!

If you want to influence the people you lead, at work or in your family, using the power of metaphor creates the reality distortion field, that's required to build a culture of excellence and break new grounds.

In 1997, Apple Inc. introduced the #ThinkDifferent campaign, an advertising slogan the company used up till 2002. This was to set a new vision of changing the world, just after Steve Job's unprecedented comeback as CEO of the blooming company. It reads:

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers; the round pegs in square holes...the ones who see things differently - they're not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things - they push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because, the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do".

Walking in the shoes of a great man like Steve Jobs is definitely not an easy job. But, if we can see the possibilities that comes from this "think different" philosophy, we can as well, learn to distort our realities and the reality of those around us. 

We will change the world...one reality at a time. 

Selah.

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© Chukwuemeka Orukwowu, April 2020. #DeepThoughts