One of the most powerful pieces ever written on this subject was by the author Mark Twain – the guy who wrote ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ about the issue of slavery, well over 100 years ago – and it still rings as true today as it did then.

It starts with this thought-provoking phrase ...

”Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

“The majority in your business, industry or profession are wrong about most – if not all – of their beliefs about how to be successful in that business, industry or profession.

EVERY population divides roughly into 1%, 4%, 15%, 40% and 40% groups. Many more at the bottom than at the top.

• Generally, 1% rich
• 4% prosperous
• 15% doing well
• 40% sustaining only mediocrity – in financial terms, heads above water but barely and
• 40% doing poorly

In other words, if you try to be like majority, you are aligning yourself largely with those who are doing moderately well or failing. In order to be part of the 1%, 4% or 15% you have to be prepared to DO something different.

You may choose to move from one group to another by “moving” your ambition, thinking, acquisition and use of information, initiative, effort. But, regardless of your choices, the fact that the majority of your peers are dead wrong won’t change a whit.

The first critical decision for upward movement is ALWAYS distrust the majority. It’s not an easy decision to make. It’s even harder to stick to. To see the majority stampeding north and stubbornly turn south. Not easy at all.”

He might be a bit out of touch with modern technology – but you have to admit he has a point!!

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