Rejecting Average: How Uncommon Thinking Fuels Business Growth and CRM Innovation
🧠 “Popular = Normal = Average.”
John Maxwell’s words from How Successful People Think cut straight to the heart of what holds many entrepreneurs back. Popular thinking is safe. It’s familiar. It’s scalable. But it’s also the breeding ground for mediocrity. If you want to build something remarkable, something that people remember, you must reject the gravitational pull of common thinking.
In business, this isn’t just philosophy. It’s strategy.
🚀 The Trap of Popular Thinking in Business
Popular thinking says:
Use the same tools everyone else uses.
Follow the same marketing playbook.
Build systems that are “good enough.”
Optimize for speed, not depth.
But here’s the problem: when everyone’s playing the same game, differentiation disappears. You become another name in a sea of sameness. And in today’s hyper-connected world, being forgettable is the fastest route to irrelevance.
🛠️ Building the Uncommon: The Networking Success Pack (NSP)
I didn’t settle for average. I spent years crafting the Networking Success Pack (NSP), a custom-built CRM add-on that reflects my high standards, deep values, and commitment to authentic connection.
Unlike popular third-party apps that offer plug-and-play solutions for mass-market networking, my NSP is tailored, intentional, and personal. It’s not just a tool, it’s a philosophy in action.
What Makes My NSP Uncommon:
First-party data ownership: These are my contacts, built through trust and nurtured over time.
Engagement scoring system: A proprietary ranking method that reflects real relationship depth, not just clicks or opens.
Improved introductions: NSP helps me make meaningful, high-fit connections that drive real business outcomes.
Memorability: People remember me because my NSP reflects my values. It’s my fingerprint in a crowded market.
While popular apps may boast larger datasets, they lack the nuance, intentionality, and soul of a system like my NSP. And that’s the point: uncommon results require uncommon effort.
📈 Why Uncommon Thinking Drives Growth
Rejecting popular thinking isn’t just about being different, it’s about being better. When I think about how this applies to business growth, it comes down to focusing on quality over quantity, transformational relationships rather than transactional ones, custom-built tools instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, and branding that feels like a genuine handshake rather than a generic billboard. Popular thinking aims for fast but shallow growth, while uncommon thinking builds slow but sustainable momentum.
My NSP is a case study in this mindset. It didn’t happen overnight. It took years of refinement, testing, and iteration. But now, it’s the biggest differentiator in my business, and a magnet for opportunity.
💡 Lessons for Entrepreneurs
If you’re building something whether it’s a CRM, a coaching practice, or a community, here’s how to apply John Maxwell’s wisdom:
Audit your tools: Are they serving your unique vision, or just helping you “get by”?
Own your data: First-party data is gold. Don’t outsource your relationships to platforms that treat you like a number.
Design for depth: Build systems that reflect your values and help you serve people better.
Be memorable: Your brand should feel like a handshake, not a billboard.
Invest in the long game: Popular thinking is fast. Uncommon thinking is lasting.
🌱 Final Thought: The Courage to Be Unpopular
Choosing the path of uncommon thinking requires courage. It means swimming upstream, questioning norms, and sometimes standing alone. But it’s also the path to legacy.
My journey with my NSP is proof that when you build with intention, people notice. They remember. They refer. And they come back, not because you’re popular, but because you’re powerful.
So the next time you’re tempted to follow the crowd, ask yourself:
Do I want to be normal or unforgettable?
If you’re an entrepreneur ready to build systems that reflect your soul, not just your strategy, let’s talk. The world doesn’t need more average, it needs more of you.
