Why Your Weirdness Is Your Superpower

Remember that thing about yourself you've been trying to hide? Yeah, that's probably your greatest gift.

Someone we love recently said to us, “I always worry that I’m ‘too much.’ I’ve been told that a lot in my life. So I try to make sure I’m keeping myself in check and not going overboard.” 

That was a sad moment because her quirkiness and energy is what attracts us to her and makes us want to be with her. 

But we all know that familiar pang. The one that says, "Maybe you should tone it down. Maybe you're too much. Maybe if you just fit in a little better..."

Here’s the truth: the thing that makes you feel like you don't belong is often the exact thing the world needs most from you.

The Mythology of "Normal"

We've been sold a lie that there's some magical state called "normal" that we should all aspire to.

But what does “normal” even mean? Does it exist? 

Think about every person who's ever made a real difference in this world. They didn't get there by blending in. They got there by leaning into what made them different, even when—especially when—it felt scary.

Oprah Winfrey was told she was "too emotional" for television. Her ability to connect deeply with people's stories? That wasn't a bug in her programming—it was the feature that changed media forever.

Amy Poehler was the class clown who couldn't sit still. Rather than suppress her energy and humour, she channeled it into comedy that's touched millions of lives.

Their "flaws" weren't flaws at all. They just flipped the script and embraced what some people said made them “too much,” and took it to the next level. 

What if your “flaws” aren't actually flaws, either?

Your Black Sheep Gifts Are Hiding in Plain Sight

At Black Sheep Co., we like to call these “too much” qualities your "Black Sheep Gifts"—those parts of you that feel a little too much, too different, too you. They're often the things you've learned to apologize for or minimize.

Maybe you're the one who asks too many questions in meetings. (Flip the script: innovative problem-solver!)

Maybe you cry at commercials and feel everything deeply. (Flip the script: empathetic leader!)

Maybe you can't focus on one thing for very long and jump between interests. (Flip the script: creative synthesizer!)

Maybe you're awkward at small talk but light up when discussing ideas that matter. (Flip the script: authentic connector!)

The truth is, your weirdness isn't something to overcome—it's something to uncover, embrace, and leverage.

The Science Behind Standing Out

Research backs this up. Studies show diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones. The reason is simple: different perspectives create better solutions. When everyone thinks the same way, you get the same results.

Your brain literally works differently than others. The neural pathways that make you see the world through your unique lens aren't accidents. They're your competitive advantage.

But here's the catch: you have to be brave enough to use them.

How to Identify Your Weird Superpower

Ready to get curious about what makes you beautifully, unapologetically you? Let's dig in with this self-assessment:

The "Weird Superpower" Discovery Exercise

Part 1: The Mirror Exercise

• What do people always come to you for help with?

• What feels effortless to you but seems hard for others?

• What do you do that makes people say, "I could never do that"?

(Still struggling? Try out CliftonStrengths, a test that tells you where you shine. We love the insights we got from this!)

Part 2: The Complaint Audit

• What have you been criticized for throughout your life?

• What feedback do you keep getting that stings a little?

• What aspects of yourself do you feel you need to "manage" around others?

Part 3: The Energy Check

• When do you lose track of time?

• What activities make you feel most alive and authentic?

• What would you do if you knew no one was watching or judging?

Part 4: The Childhood Clue

• What did you love doing as a kid before anyone told you it wasn't practical?

• What games did you create or rules did you bend?

• How did you naturally show up in the world before you learned to edit yourself?

Now here's the magic: look for patterns between your "flaws" and your gifts. They're often the same thing, just viewed through different lenses.

From Weird to Wonderful: Making the Shift

Once you've identified your unique gifts, the real work begins. It's time to stop hiding and start leveraging what makes you different.

Start small. You don't have to revolutionize your entire life overnight. Pick one meeting this week where you speak up with your perspective. Choose one conversation where you don't apologize for your enthusiasm. Wear that outfit that feels totally "you" even if it's not what everyone else is wearing.

Find your people. Your weirdness will repel some people. That's perfect. That’s a sign you have something important. Your weirdness will also magnetize the right people. Stop trying to be everything to everyone and start being irresistible to your people.

Reframe the story. Instead of "I'm too much," try "I bring intensity." Instead of "I'm scattered," try "I see connections others miss." Instead of "I'm different," try "I'm on my own path."

The world doesn't need another copy of someone else. It needs the original version of you—

quirks, intensity, strange humour, unusual interests, and all.

Your Weirdness Is the World's Gift

Here's what we know for sure: every time you dim your light to make others comfortable, you rob the world of something it desperately needs. Your unique perspective. Your different way of solving problems. Your particular brand of magic.

When you show up as your full, authentic, beautifully weird self, you give others permission to do the same. You create ripples of authenticity that spread far beyond what you can see.

That person who told us she’s too much? Maybe for other people, but for us, she’s just right. And that doesn’t make us just like her; it makes us love her. 

Your weirdness isn't your weakness. It's your superpower. The question isn't whether you should embrace it. The question is: how long will you keep it hidden?

The world is waiting for what only you can give it. Isn't it time to stop making them wait?

Ready to dive deeper into discovering and leveraging your unique gifts? Join us for one of our upcoming events where we'll explore what makes you beautifully, authentically you. Because when you embrace your Black Sheep Gifts, everything changes.

Discover Your Authentic Self - Join Our Next Event →

It's time to make your Black Sheep gifts your own.