Derek Sivers in a book review:
Have selective amnesia. Imagine you’ve been parachuted into your present life as a stranger. Whoever was here before you certainly made a mess of things, but now someone more capable is here to take over.
Fear of looking weird to other people causes us to underrate the effectiveness of unusual ways of acting. Those who are unbothered by seeming unusual, accomplish great things. Our best options are socially unusual.
Gain an edge by jumping into the “Moat of Low Status,” enduring some painful clumsiness so you can do interesting things. Play games you probably won’t win. Embrace being temporarily low in social status. Look stupid or talentless or corny. Fear of low status keeps many people from pursuing their dreams.
Always be looking for new moats to jump into. This continual, self-inflicted humiliation is one thing that separates the good from the great.