“The term freak can mean maniac; fanatic; something unusual, irregular, or abnormally formed; an eccentric or nonconformist person; or a person who is obsessed with something.
In this book I define a freak as a person who is unique because of a natural, positive obsession. I use the word as a compliment. …
The goal of this book is to help you discover and enhance your natural freakiness. I don’t think any of us are, or were, normal, and most of us don’t have to go to the trouble of making ourselves into freaks. We just came that way. …
I’d like to help you make yourself into a bigger freak than you already are. As Marcus Buckingham says in his book, First, Break All the Rules, ‘Don’t try to put in what was left out, try to draw out what was left in.’ This sentiment is echoed by Tom Rath of the Gallup organization. He believes ‘you can’t be anything you want to be, but you can be more of what you are.’ That really sums up the purpose of this book: to help you to become more of who you are so that you can help others do the same.”
~ David Rendall from The Freak Factor
I got this book after Tom Morris referenced it in Plato’s Lemonade Stand.
As it turns out, Tom wrote the foreword to the book in which he tells us: “Liberate yourself from average expectations and arbitrary limitations. Be true to yourself. Embrace the glorious freak within. And then, bring the world the greatest gift you can give the rest of us—you, in your own elegantly idiosyncratic form of excellence.”
David Rendall has a doctor of management degree in organizational leadership, as well as a graduate degree in psychology. He’s a former Professor of Leadership and stand-up comedian. And… He’s so freaky that he spells his name “Dav!d” (notice that exclamation point… :) and starts the book on page number 74 so we can immediately feel like we’re making progress. (Hah!)
As per the inside flap, David tells us: “You don’t need to fix your weaknesses. The Freak Factor shows you how embracing your flaws will increase your happiness, energy and fulfillment. So, be unusual, be weird—but above all, be successful.”
The book is a fun call to arms to embrace our weaknesses and wave our freak flag with pride. (Get a copy here.) As Chris Guillebeau, author of The Happiness of Pursuit, says: “Everything you’ve read about weakness is wrong … until now. This book will help you stop trying to be well-rounded and start excelling at what you always knew you were best at. Raise your freak flag and wave it with pride!”
It’s packed with Big Ideas and I’m excited to share some of my favorites so let’s jump straight in!
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