"On ne provoque pas de rupture en suivant les règles."

Breaking away from the norms is how true innovation happens. Let’s think about it for a second. When you follow the same old rules everyone's been playing by, what do you get? The same old results, right? Disruption—those big, game-changing shifts—comes from daring to step off the beaten path.

This idea isn't new. Consider the time when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were tinkering away in a garage, dreaming up the first Apple computer. It was the 1970s, and the tech world was very different. Computers were massive, clunky, and definitely not something the average person had in their home. Jobs and Wozniak saw something no one else did: the potential for personal computers. They didn’t follow the existing rules. If they had, we might still believe computers are only for big corporations and universities. Instead, they disrupted the entire tech industry, paving the way for the sleek, powerful devices we use today.

Let’s make this idea concrete with a modern example. Think about Uber. Before Uber, if you needed a ride, your options were limited to hailing a cab or calling a taxi service—both of which came with their own set of frustrations and inefficiencies. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, the co-founders of Uber, saw an opportunity to change how we think about transportation. They broke the rules. They said, why not let people use their own cars to give rides? It was a radical idea, and it wasn't without its challenges. But look at the impact now. Uber disrupted the entire transportation industry, all because its founders didn't play by the old rulebook.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by questioning the status quo. Look at the rules you're following—whether at work, in your personal life, or in your community—and ask yourself why those rules exist. Are they there because they truly make sense, or are they just there because "that's the way it's always been done?"

Here’s a little exercise for you: Imagine you're working on a project at your job. Everyone's following the same old procedures. What if you took a step back and asked, "Is there a better way?" Maybe you come up with a new process that’s faster, more efficient, or simply more enjoyable. By daring to think differently, you might just find a way to disrupt your own little corner of the world.

Let me tell you a story. A friend of mine, Sarah, works in marketing. For years, her company relied on traditional advertising—TV spots, print ads, the whole nine yards. But Sarah had a hunch that social media held untapped potential for their brand. It was a risk, and it meant breaking away from the tried-and-true methods her company was comfortable with. But she went for it. She ran a bold, innovative campaign on Instagram and TikTok. The result? Not only did they reach a younger, more engaged audience, but sales went through the roof. Sarah's willingness to disrupt the norm paid off big time.

So, next time you're faced with a challenge, remember: real change doesn't come from following the rules. It comes from having the courage to break them. And who knows? You might just be the next big disruptor.