I recently saw an interview with the legendary Yanni (Yiannis Chrysomallis), a giant in the entertainment industry.  It was another reminder of the efficacy of going against conventional wisdom.

Yanni had no formal training and, as a result, could not even read music.  Nevertheless, he became a world-famous composer by developing a sort of musical shorthand that enabled him to write original pieces.

Yanni’s masterpieces are so unlike anything else in the musical field that they can’t really be categorized.  In other words, he doesn’t fit into a conventional mold.

In the interview, Yanni said something that every entrepreneur and businessperson would do well to type up and tack on their office wall.  He told the interviewer he felt certain that if he had had formal musical training, he would not have achieved the lofty level of success he now enjoys.

In other words, because he wasn’t knowledgeable enough to know how it was done in conventional music circles, Yanni invented his own way of doing things.  I can’t imagine a more inspiring story for anyone who feels intimidated by a lack of knowledge in today’s hi-tech world.

Remember, technology changes, but the basics that lead to success stay the same. Don’t waste time worrying about what you don’t know.  Concentrate on what you do know, and spend your time doing things your way — better and faster than others.