“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” ~ Steve Jobs

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word crazy? Is it a deranged person? It is an outrageous idea? Or it is an excited person?

It seems to me that crazy is often used to imply something is wrong, abnormal perhaps … even unacceptable. A lot of things happening in the world today certainly fit this description.  Crazy.

It is crazy that people starve to death every day.

It is crazy that people are ostracized based upon their race, religion, gender or sexuality.

Just crazy.

And yet, there is another side to the word crazy. The side that implies great enthusiasm, excitement and passion. The side that refers to being daring, bold and risky. This too is crazy.

Crazy like Albert Einstein and Booker T. Washington. Like John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. Like Simone Biles. Like Maxine Waters.  Like Colin Kapernick.

We are all a little crazy. And maybe, just maybe crazy is what we need to be in order to achieve our dreams, change the world, become legends in our own rights. Crazy.

Like Steve Martin — we need to let loose and just be wild and crazy.

So the question is … are you willing to be crazy? Better yet … be crazy enough to think that you can change the world?

Dreamers after all have dreams that are larger than life. They have dreams that improve their quality of life. Dreams that lift up hundreds or thousands or millions of more people.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream. A dream of civil rights and equity that lives on 50 years later. His dream inspired a nation. It shined a light on the deep, inner desires of many.

His dream was a catalyst of change that emboldened others to dream big.

His dream was crazy. Dr. King was crazy enough to believe in his dream. And millions of others were too.

Are you crazy enough to dream big? Are you crazy enough to chase those dreams? Are you crazy enough to persist when the odds are stacked against you?

Are you crazy enough?

Use the following checklist to determine if you are crazy enough to chase your dreams.

• Creative — Do you have your own ideas and goals for your life? Are you designing your own plans to pursue your ideals? Do you think out of the box? Do you dare to be different?
• Resilient — Do you have the capacity to withstand disappointments and hardships? Can you handle adversity with fortitude? Do you view problems and obstacles as opportunities for growth?
• Ambitious — Do you really want what you say you want? Are you driven to achieve your goals no matter what? Are you focused on being successful?
• Zealous — Are you passionate about your goals and dreams? Are you energized in pursuing your endeavors?
• Yearning — Do you desire change? Are you longing to be successful?

If you answered yes to the majority of these questions, congratulations, you are crazy enough!

What is one big hairy audacious goal that you are crazy enough to pursue?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section, I’d love to hear from you.

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