Special Powers 💥

Though these abilities are available to everyone, they remain elusive in the wild.

A Year of Mental Health is a new newsletter (from me, Chris Guillebeau). Posts will arrive every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7am Pacific time all through 2024—and I’d love for you to join in! ⬇️

In case you're not familiar with my work, I've also added a few posts like this one from my long-running blog, The Art of Non-Conformity.

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I recently filled out a medical form where I was required to answer this question:

“Do you have any special powers that most people don’t possess?”

This question came from the form’s mental health subcategory, and I suppose what they were really asking was, “You’re not totally delusional, are you?”

Against my strong inclination, I answered no. I didn’t want to create unnecessary delays that required explanation and even more form-filling-out.

But that also meant that I had to lie. Because I do have special powers! They aren’t powers that are inaccessible to other people, but most people simply don’t claim them. They are, therefore, special.

Just to be clear, I’m not the only person in the world with special powers. I’d bet that you might possess some of these powers as well, because (I assume) you are different from other people you know.

What kind of powers? Here are a few of the most special of special powers.

Special power #1: The refusal to accept at face value whatever you are told.

This is also known as “thinking for yourself.” Be aware: this makes many people uncomfortable! Which is, of course, why it’s special—because in a lot of ways, it’s easier to just go along for the ride.

Maybe you were told as a kid that you ask too many questions. Many adults would no doubt be happier if you simply accepted what you were told. Well, you might already know that this never changes.

Your whole life, people will expect you to accept whatever they tell you without questioning it very much. But that’s okay. Just because someone wants something doesn’t mean you need to give it to them.

Special power #2: The willingness to change your mind.

This is another underrated power that is widely accessible, yet rarely used. Simply put, most people are stuck in their ways!

It’s hard to change your mind, which is why it’s important to cultivate the practice. Maybe you were wrong about something you once believed, or maybe that belief just no longer serves you as well. In this common situation, you can dig in (what most people do), or you can shrug it off and march forth with your new understanding.

March forth! Changing your mind in response to new information, or even just your own personal growth, is worth the effort—even if it’s considered strange and unusual among people who don’t have special powers.

Special power #3: The ability to forge a path of your own (for anything).

Often in life you will be presented with pseudo-choices. It’s a classic parenting trick: “Do you want to read book one or book two before going to bed?” (The parent is just trying to put the child to bed. The smart child responds: “I don’t want to go to bed, this is Fascism!”)

The trick carries over into young adulthood, where you can choose between a list of approved subjects to study in school. Then, of course, you’re allowed a limited range of career choices, and so on.

The special power is to ignore all of these things and go your own way. Wherever options seem limited, refuse to settle. Forge a path of your own instead.

Conclusion

Though these abilities are available to everyone, they remain elusive in the wild.

Most people prefer it the other way: to accept what they’re told, to remain stuck in their ways, and to follow the course that’s been set for them. Sadly, they opt-out of their special powers.

You, of course, are different. You know how to think for yourself, and to go against the grain whenever it proves necessary or desirable.

No doubt there are other special powers, perhaps some that you possess and I don’t. Use them today!