Fitting In - So Outdated (and a liability for earning a good living in 2026 and beyond)

As the post-WWII economic boom was kicking in, optimism surged about lifting much of America into the middle class. That was from immigrant families clawing at barely making a living, lack of having a real education and a certain crudeness about etiquette. 

During the late 1950s and early 1960s the oldest of us Boomers were indoctrinated by high school guidance sorts and our direct homeroom teachers that we could be all we aspired to. Wild, I could become a writer, I was encouraged. We just had to 1) Go to college and 2) Fit in. The personal essay for those college applications mandated evidence of being well-rounded. That is, blending in. 

And, for too many of us, the nightmare began: The struggle to take on the protective coloring to appear to fit in. Yet, come on, few of us closet outliers fooled ourselves or probably others that we functioned perfectly within the box. The suffering could be profound. In my mid 20s I tried psychoanalysis, convinced I needed to file down the parts that stuck out of the box.

Yet, despite all the ups and downs of the career paths over the years (there were still careers back then) many of us outliers showcased unique resilience and the creativity to put together a next. Likely, down deep we never did trust what the system pontificated was the right way to proceed.

Now, we're vindicated. Sort of.

The Atlantic headlines with this:

"The Upside of Not Fitting In"

Essentially the message is that being an outsider provides the perspective to see through the financial, emotional, social and even spiritual party line. Since we were never really in we have no real sunk costs to approach the rules as absolutes. In addition, there's no wasted energy lamenting how much things have changed. Our mindset had been to secretly smirk about the rules and have the determination to get around them without getting into trouble.

For example, I was an early adopter in fleeing the collapsing field of content-creation. At the time a fitter-in colleague was still in there and had four major clients. Now they're a deer in the headlight wondering how did it happen that they can't hustle assignments. Yes, they could become the new Smart, Educated and Aging into Poverty. 

Right now much of my intuitive coaching/tarot reading comes down to guiding the unemployed and those fearful of losing their livelihood how to ignore much of what the "they" are telling them. Figure it out for yourself and do that every hour of the day, including weekends. Be willing to try out atypical ways to earn a good living. Also, I am helping them develop an Inner Shark. You bet, you have to look out for Number-One. Just as gangster Sonny warns in "A Bronx Tale": No one cares. 

Meanwhile, think about it. Did the following fit in?

Mark Zuckerberg

David Solomon

Sam Altman

Roberta Kaplan (won litigation against Donald Trump).

And although long-term chair of law firm Paul Weiss Brad Karp fits Paul, Weiss perfectly he doesn't seem to fit the mold of the typical elite leader in the legal sector. Since 2008, when first voted in by the partners to lead, Profits Per Equity Partner has increased about 183%. In 2008, it was $2.65 million. In 2024 $7.5 million.

Takeaway: Fitting in has become an anachronism. But maybe it really never got you as much as you were told it would.

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we liberate your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success. Meanwhile, we focus on bringing in income. That puts you in a position of strength.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.