Ever notice that your brightest ideas seem to come to you when you’ve relaxed after a hard day of work, had a few glasses of your favorite adult beverage, and are ready to finally take a break from it all? Irony.

In one of those pondering dazes, I’ve realized that it’s not really irony at all. It’s in these moments that we can let go of all perceptions of who we are supposed to be and what is expected of us; we can finally let our individuality shine through with no false facade. And that’s why your best ideas come when you relax and let your inner talent shine true.

All too often, we get caught up in what others think and how others say we should run a business. I think this is why the word “corporate” has such a negative connotation; stereotypically, it’s dripping with the essence of no individuality. If we let others dictate who we are, we’ll never come to know our own true potential.

High school is over – don’t let insecurity drive you back into that funk.

I thrive on running against the grain. It’s just who I am. I tend to think outside the box – I believe this is the lifeblood of any entrepreneur. It makes us tick. Makes us bold. And makes us strike out on our own accord, ignoring the failure rate of so many businesses before us.

Social platforms have created a “shrinking” of geographic distance, putting incredible resources at your fingertips. Brilliant minds and communities of collaboration exist to make everyone better. But, this also comes with a tendency to fall in line with what everyone else is doing. After all, if the experts are doing it, how can it be wrong?

I believe a corporate mentality can begin to exist as we fall in step with trailblazers in the community and fail to follow our own instincts as entrepreneurs. As wonderful as each trailblazer’s mind is, they are meant to be unique. Not simply to be emulated. They are meant to offer suggestions and arouse ideas, not serve as a blueprint for your own situation.

The avid salmon in the stream must keep swimming upstream. If not, we as entrepreneurs fail as a species.

Your challenges are unique to you, but common in the business community

I used to step back and filter my blogs, filter my thoughts and believe that I was somehow “not accurate” in my challenges and successes. This simply isn’t true. As I’ve worked at Rackspace, I’ve come to gain confidence in my instincts and talents as a marketer…and most importantly, my unique voice. If we all sang in unison, it would sound nice. But just imagine how much more beautiful would be the sound of voices coming together, slightly off step with one another…each ringing out loud and true to their own journey.

So to everyone whose voice feels stifled, take a deep breath. Shed that skin of insecurity, and be strong in your own talents. Business can be tough, but it only beats you down when you aren’t being true to you.

High school is over, no one is judging you. In fact, they probably have a lot to learn from you.

So think outside the box and dare to do something bold. If you wholly commit yourself to this endeavor, you’ll be in line with the greatest thinkers, inventors, entrepreneurs and philosophers of all time.