How Going Punk Gets Success

“Punk is about being an individual, standing up and saying ‘This is who I am’”

– Joey Ramone

So. Who are you? How do you define yourself in this world? More importantly, what do you have to say that’s so overwhelmingly special and exciting to you, you can’t help but share with anyone who will listen? These are the things that fuel successful people as they rise to the top of their chosen passion/profession. And they are at the core of Career Punk.

How would you answer those questions? If you did so with absolute honesty and with such specificity that they become unique to you and you alone. This is your voice. Your individuality. Your attitude. And it is these things that will make you successful in whatever you choose to pursue.

We live and work in a structured world with norms and expectations, paths and directions, competitors and companions. The illusion is that we must master these things to be successful when in fact it can be as simple as redefining them.

“Punk has always been about doing things your own way. What it represents for me is ultimate freedom and a sense of individuality.”

– Billie Joe Armstrong

The punk (and Career Punk) mentality is founded on these concepts and transcends genre and gender. The beauty of it is that it enables the freedom of curiosity and encourages questioning everything. Things like decisions, lifestyles, ideologies, and actions. It is empowerment to accept or redefine your own reality. It is allowance to unapologetically be you.

In the TEDx Talk below, see Richard Jobson, former frontman of the Scottish punk band “The Skids,” speak about how he found his voice and how using it blazed a trail to long term success.

As Jobson eludes to in his speech, the foundations of his punk rock youth paved the way for this adulthood success. One in particular is his focus on the DIY (Do It Yourself) work ethic. Being self reliable and motivated are key factors of successful individuals. This pay-your-dues mantra combined with his music-for-cause writing style programmed Jobson to find his passion and define his purpose.

“To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are.”

– Patti Smith

This is the essence of the Career Punk mentality and why it so appropriately applies to personal and professional success stories. How does it apply to yours? And if you don’t have one yet, perhaps it’s time to start writing it.