In 1973, psychologists at Stanford University wanted to test a theory about the power of situational forces on human behavior. The result is what has become known as the Stanford Prison Experiment. A group of healthy, well-adjusted college students were randomly assigned to “play” the role of either a prison guard or a prisoner.

Within a few days, many of those who played the prisoners had transformed from otherwise stable young adults into emotional wrecks, blindly obeying the orders of the guards who had in that short span become cruel and sadistic. The experiment got so out of hand that it was ended only days after it began.

What these psychologists proved out, beyond than the fact that, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” is that as human beings, we are powerfully effected by external forces. Our thoughts, feelings and actions can shift wildly based on the situation we are subjected to. As much as we feel that we shape society, to a great extent, it is society that shapes us.

So back to the title of this post — The Difference.

If I stepped into a room of 100 people and told them to start a project they were excited about, to work on it from beginning to end and try to finish it before the next week — a solid 95 of the those would respond that they were either too busy, didn’t have the resources or were otherwise incapable of completing it (even if I didn’t tell them what to do). They would add, almost without fail, that they would love to do it but really, who has the time? I do this all the time because let’s face it, the world is a terribly busy place and really, who does have the time?

Despite my best efforts that particular fiction goes down really easy — those Stanford psychologists would be proud.

What about the final 5, you might be asking. Well, to understand that, let me tell you another story.

I was on the phone with a friend of mine, discussing the difference between those who are happy doing what they do, and those who just drag themselves through it. He told me a story about his family. Most of them were content, working at good paying jobs where they’d kvetch about work every Friday, go back in every Monday and in that way they would spend the vast majority of their time.

That is, except for his Uncle.

His Uncle was different, although he had grown up in the same environment as the rest, he had chosen to risk going down a different path, going out on his own and becoming a renowned author in his field and a successful professor among a host of other things.

He was curious as to why this happened. It had nothing to do with intelligence or opportunity, and for all intents and purposes the environment couldn’t have played much of a role. When he asked his Aunt what the difference was, why one member of the same family ended up as such an outlier, her response was profound, “One day he just decided to do it. He knew what he wanted to do and he didn’t stop until he got there.”

That’s the story and here’s the moral.

I present this to you, it’s a challenge and a mediation. Look at yourself, look at your situation, look at your life and decide what it is that you want to do. Don’t deny that obstacles exist (I am sure there are many), but understand that if you are realistic about them you can find a way around them. You might win, you might lose, you might find out that your idea is insane but you’ll be satisfied that you tried. I want you to step outside of your environmental pressures and look at your life with different eyes.

Make the decision and then share it with us.

Who knows, it could make all the difference.

(Images)