A little bit of ‘crazy’ can be your secret weapon in life...
The first person that comes to mind when I hear the word ‘crazy’, is this guy.
Stephen of Ireland, a true historical character (known for his unpredictable behavior), claimed Ireland as “MY island” in the movie Braveheart.
These people are willing to take risks, like proclaiming Ireland as their personal territory.
Lesson: The right mix of ‘crazy’ in your life can be helpful.
Like Robert Greene says in The 33 Strategies of War:
Build up a reputation: You’re a little crazy. Fighting you is not worth it.
Be known for (or seen to have the potential for) taking your enemies with you when you lose.
Be the honey badger that gets paralyzed by the king cobra bite, but then hunts it down and bites its head off 5 hours later (true story).
Here's how to do it in our modern world…
Apply the 5% rule
Be normal in 95% of situations.
Do the work.
Produce results.
Demonstrate competency first, then sprinkle in a little bit of ‘loco’, but not too much.
‘Crazy’ in too high of a dose is dangerous, it needs dilution.
Throw people off balance just enough to achieve your goals. People will either fling doors wide open for you or at least stop locking them.
3 practical ways to do this:
Be occasionally unpredictable: This will make you more interesting and engaging to others - It can make you stand out from the crowd.
Strategically say things everyone else is afraid to say: Be unconventional, both unexpected and thought provoking - it’s a powerful way to get your point across.
Show a different side of your personality that people didn’t expect: By keeping people guessing about you, you’re instantly more interesting and it will help you connect with people on a deeper level.
Crazy people take stupid risks.
5% "crazy" people take calculated risks with asymmetric returns, leading to a more fulfilling life.
In a world that often rewards predictability and conformity, daring to be a little 'crazy' gives you a unique advantage.
It's not about being recklessly unpredictable—it's about carefully choosing moments to defy expectations.
From historical characters like Stephen of Ireland to nature's fearless honey badger, a controlled dose of audacity can make all the difference.
