We’ve always known entrepreneurs think differently. This explains why.

Imagine that you are listening to Richard Branson present in the world’s largest stadium, Rungrado in North Korea, which holds 150,000 people. Do you believe you would feel inspired, energetic, and a powerful sense of connectedness?

You most certainly would, and there is a reason why. Entrepreneurs like Branson are a breed of their own. There is magic in the way they communicate, the actions they take, and the ideas they generate. They are born to live differently, leaving behind the safe and mediocre path of certainty for the wild ride of entrepreneurialism.

It takes a certain type of person to go on that ride, and it is absolutely not for everyone. Envisage yourself driving on the highway in your new Maserati GranTurismo at 125 mph only to take a turn that sees you feverishly slamming on the brakes, forcing you to take yet a different road. This is how quickly the entrepreneurial terrain changes.

Interestingly, my research on entrepreneurs such as Branson, Fredrick Eklund, Steve Jobs and Grant Cardone has found a common theme — the world seems to deem them “crazy.” Most people would be offended if someone called them that. You may want to read on before deciding if it’s a compliment or an insult.

Traits of “crazy” entrepreneurs.

Let’s face it, these entrepreneurs stand out. They process information quickly and entertain a blizzard of new ideas daily; have unprecedented levels of energy that inspires millions of people; are fanatical about their vision; engage in clever marketing stunts that capture our hearts and minds; have insanely high creativity levels; possess massive dreams others consider “impossible”; possess colossal amounts of self-belief; and they are blessed to be born with truckloads of tenacity.

Richard Branson started his entrepreneurial journey at age 16 as a high school dropout. Today he is a billionaire, disrupter and world-record setting adventurer. He now has more than 400 companies in over 30 countries ranging from transport to healthcare to media to finance to telecommunications to a luxury game park in South Africa.

Outlandish ideas.

One of Branson’s wilder ideas is his space-tourism company, Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial space line. From inception, the company faced many challenges, including a devastating crash that saw one of his pilots die during a test flight.

Branson forged ahead with the space line and has sold 700 tickets at $250,000 each to A-List celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Ashton Kutcher, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Once again, he has proved critics wrong with his incredible flair and commitment to turning the project into a successful venture.

Innovative marketing.

What really sets Branson apart are his innovative marketing stunts, which make news all around the world. In 2007, to celebrate Virgin America’s inaugural flight, Richard jumped from the rooftop of the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. And in 2013, after losing an F1 auto-racing bet, Richard dressed in drag as a flight attendant and served drinks on a flight from Australia to Malaysia.

I don’t know about you, but it is for these very reasons that I love “crazy” entrepreneurs. So, if you want to reach unprecedented levels of success — take a chance today to do something different, move outside of your comfort zone, entertain your big dream, as you never know where the road may lead.

And the next time someone calls you crazy, simply smile, think of Richard Branson’s success, and say thank you. Learn to play the game of life your way.

 

This article was originally published on Inc.com