What to Do When People Tell You You’re Crazy

Seven Ways to Embrace Mental Illness, Leadership, and Creativity

How often have you heard the words, “You’re crazy?”

Is that a good thing, and in whose eyes?

Do you see yourself as an “outsider” more than an insider?

Are you highly creative and productive despite experiencing higher highs and lower lows than most?

Is there a link between being “crazy,” a great leader, creativity, and changing the world?

If so, by the end of this article, maybe you’ll embrace any aspect of mental illness you experience and see the benefits of being a little crazy and daring to be different from most people, especially when it comes to your self-awareness, unique gifts, passions, and self-view of your purpose.

As you’re about to learn, there’s a strong link between madness, leadership, and creativity.

We’ve got more gifts than we think, and it turns out that the older I grow, the easier it becomes to embrace my inner crazy and creative gifts more than when I was younger and didn’t know what I didn’t know about myself.

Embrace Yourself

If people tell you you’re crazy or struggle with mental health, I suggest saying, “Thank you.” If that seems crazy, stick with me!

In other words, when you practice embracing and accepting yourself, including your suffering, you can learn to see your craziness as a gift.

When that happens, you will stand at the gateway to being your best, unique self. Embrace yourself. There is nobody just like you.

You’re a gift. You possess a mind, body, and, if you buy it, a timeless soul. You are in charge of yourself, and when you commit to working “on” yourself, you can improve your mental, physical, and existential well-being by thinking and being so.

A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness

A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness by Nassir Ghaemi is a fascinating book that explores the correlation between mental illness and effective leadership.

The book features several famous leaders throughout history, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Mahatma Gandhi. Here are some profiles of these leaders:

1. Winston Churchill. Churchill is known for his leadership during World War II but also struggled with depression. Ghaemi argues that Churchill’s mental illness gave him a unique perspective and allowed him to see the world differently. Churchill’s depression also made him more empathetic and better able to connect with others.
2. Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is widely regarded as one of America’s greatest presidents. However, he also suffered from severe depression throughout his life. According to Ghaemi, Lincoln’s mental illness made him more compassionate and better able to understand the suffering of others. It also gave him the resilience to persevere through difficult times.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. King is famous for his role in the civil rights movement. However, he also struggled with depression and anxiety. Ghaemi argues that King’s mental illness gave him a unique perspective and allowed him to see the world differently. It also made him more empathetic and better able to connect with others.
4. John F. Kennedy. Kennedy is known for his charisma and leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, he also suffered from chronic pain and various medical conditions. According to Ghaemi, Kennedy’s physical and mental illnesses gave him a unique perspective and allowed him to make bold decisions during the crisis.
5. Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi is known for his nonviolent resistance and leadership in India’s struggle for independence. However, he also struggled with depression and anxiety. Ghaemi argues that Gandhi’s mental illness made him more compassionate and better able to understand the suffering of others. It also gave him the resilience to persevere through difficult times.

Ghaemi argues that sometimes, mental illness can be an asset to leadership. Ghaemi’s work also points to our creative gifts as leaders in the context of personal leadership, if nothing else.

Seven Ways to Embrace Mental Illness, Leadership, and Creativity

The book provides valuable insights into creativity, personal leadership, and happiness. Here are seven lessons we can learn from the book:

1. Embrace your creative side. The book argues that people with mental illnesses are often more creative than those without. They have unique perspectives and see the world in a different ways. As such, creativity is a crucial aspect of personal leadership. Creativity allows us to solve problems in new and innovative ways, which is essential for leadership.
2. Use your vulnerabilities to your advantage. The book suggests that people with mental illnesses are more aware of their vulnerabilities. This vulnerability can be a strength, as it allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. We can use our vulnerabilities to create meaningful connections and inspire others.
3. Embrace your emotions. Mental illness often involves intense emotional experiences. The book argues that we should not be afraid of our emotions. Instead, we should embrace them and use them to guide our decision-making. We can make more meaningful and impactful decisions by using our emotions as a tool.
4. Self-awareness is crucial. The book highlights the importance of self-awareness. People with mental illnesses are often more in tune with their inner world. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses, we can become more effective leaders. We can also use this self-awareness to create a sense of purpose and meaning.
5. Resilience is key. Mental illness can be challenging, but it also provides an opportunity to develop resilience. By learning to cope with adversity, we can become more resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges. Resilience is crucial to personal leadership, allowing us to navigate difficult situations and emerge stronger.
6. Embrace your uniqueness. The book argues that people with mental illnesses are often considered outsiders. However, this outsider status can be a strength. We can create new perspectives and innovative solutions to problems by embracing our uniqueness. We can use our differences to make a positive impact on the world.
7. Connection is essential. The book emphasizes the importance of connection. People with mental illnesses often struggle with isolation and disconnection. However, by creating meaningful connections, we can improve our mental health and develop a sense of purpose and meaning. Relationships and connection are also crucial for personal leadership, as it allows us to create a sense of community and inspire others.

In conclusion, A First-Rate Madness provides valuable insights into creativity, personal leadership, and happiness.

By embracing our creativity, vulnerability, emotions, self-awareness, resilience, uniqueness, and connection, we can become more effective leaders and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

The book reminds us that mental illness can be a strength and that we should not be afraid to embrace our differences and use them to impact the world positively.

May you create and lead the life of your dreams.

---

This article was originally published on Medium. Thanks for reading my article and sharing or commenting. Check out my latest e-book if you’re stuck in your career or life, Reinvent Yourself: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Strategically Designing Your Life.

My articles may contain affiliate links to books and other products. I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Also, some of my pieces use AI for research and editing.