Here's to the innovators

Here’s to the innovators:

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Here’s to the innovators.

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The outsiders.

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The trendsetters.

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The pioneers.

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The ones who walk the road with no path.

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The ones who are ridiculed every step of the way.

The ones who persevere in the face of criticism.

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The ones who challenge conventional thinking.

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The ones who challenge the establishment.

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History is written by those who challenged dogma.

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They didn’t believe everything they were told. 

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They didn’t listen to the mob tell them how they were wrong.

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They continued to work on their craft and pushed through all the hardship.

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They were told ‘No’ many times.

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People told them they were crazy.

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People didn’t believe their vision.

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So they went out and showed them.

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They proved it.

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But that road is lonely.

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There’s no one there next to them.

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In the face of criticism, most people jump.

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They conform.

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It takes a real innovator to say no.

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To not let other people control your gift.

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The best innovators listen to everyone but maintain their convictions.

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Their belief is so strong.

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They want to build the world they envision.

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They want to show the world what’s in their heads.

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But they have to do it over a long career.

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Even then, they’ll get ridiculed every step of the way.

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People won’t believe in their ideas.

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They still have to keep pushing.

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Even when their own head is telling them to listen to everyone.

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Because other people know better right?

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No!

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No one knows anything.

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We’re all making it up as we go.

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People are always pushing their bias on you.

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They don’t believe you because you haven’t done it.

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So do it.

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Show them.

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Put in the time.

Put in the hours of silence where it’s just you, your mind and a blank page.

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That’s where the innovations are really made.

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The dark time alone.

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Thinking. Planning. Strategizing. Then executing.

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Doing the work, even when it’s challenging.

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Thought about all of this after I went to a Monet exhibit today.

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He was a pioneer in impressionist art.

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He wanted to show people how he felt using techniques that felt right to him.

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He refused to listen to the critics and kept painting.

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Ultimately history was the best judge and Monet did alright for himself.

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Remember, none of the critics ever make history.

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Only the innovators do.

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Here’s to the innovators.

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