Human beings have a herd mindset that is simply overpowering. It’s what made Facebook possible. It’s what causes teens to emulate each other, good or bad. It causes stock markets to go up and stock markets to go down.
People simply want to blend in. They want to follow and be part of the herd.
We are all hardwired that way, genetically.
During the early part of our human existence, we quickly discovered that when we were part of a herd, we were much safer from predators. There was safety in numbers.
The Herd Doctrine ensured the very survival of our species.
We so desire to blend in, to acclimate to society, to be a part of the herd, that we will do almost anything to avoid standing out in a crowd. It’s not theory. It’s science (http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/131009/srep02905/full/srep02905.html).
Many years ago Candid Camera decided to test this science in their famous Elevator Prank. As funny as that Candid Camera prank was, it highlighted the lengths people will go to blend in and be part of the herd.
But, while the Herd Doctrine helped humans to survive, it is also what makes it so hard for individuals to succeed in the modern world.
Separation from the herd is a prerequisite for achieving success. Consequently, successful people must become outliers.
Their path towards success is often a very lonely one because they have to separate themselves from their individual herds. They have to go it alone, particularly in the beginning of the pursuit of any dream or entrepreneurial endeavor.
Since so few pursue success, the few that do, set themselves apart from everyone else.
The Herd Doctrine is one of the underlying drivers of the wealth gap and income inequality.
The few successful dreamers who step outside their herd in pursuit of a dream, reap enormous financial rewards for taking a risk and stepping outside their herd.
Conversely, the income and wealth of the members of any common herd will almost always be equivalent to one another.
Anyone who has ever pursued a dream, can attest to the fallout of daring to defy the herd.
Family, friends and colleagues will do their very best to dissuade you from perusing a big goal or life dream:
“The risk is too great.”
“What if you fail?”
“You’re throwing away your career.”
“You could go bankrupt.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.”
The onslaught of negativity, driven by the desire of the herd to force you back into the fold, forces most to stop in their tracks and return to the herd.
But not the courageous, successful dreamers.
They overcome the onslaught. They keep on pursuing their dream, moving further and further away from the herd.
For those who succeed, a very interesting thing then happens. You success causes others to take notice. And soon, those others will be breaking down your door in order to become part of your herd.
Success, therefore, creates its own herd.
If you are considering pursuing a big goal or life dream, you must confront and overcome the Herd Doctrine. It’s not easy. Your very DNA and the DNA of those around you will fight you every step of the way. But it’s worth the fight.
Dreamers who succeed, accumulate the greatest wealth in the shortest amount of time. They are at the top of millionaire mountain, looking down their mountain at all of those, too afraid to leave their individual herds, in pursuit their own dreams.
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About Thomas C. Corley
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