In this era of information overload, where we’re constantly bombarded with information and choices, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. You must be unique to be memorable.
Why is it Important?
Well, think about it. In a crowded marketplace, “being different holds more value than simply being better.” While being better may offer incremental improvements, being different captures attention in the first place and creates a memorable impression.
How to do it?
Embrace your Uniqueness. Don’t shy away from it; turn it into your greatest asset- We’re often taught to conform to societal standards. Our education system, workplaces, and social circles all encourage us to fit in to adhere to the norm. This herd mentality eventually ends up killing our individuality, our uniqueness. It makes us afraid to stand out, to be different.
Think about it. The most successful people and businesses didn’t get where they were by following the herd. They got there by being different from everyone else.
Be mindful – identify your authentic voice and values.
What do you stand for?
What makes you, you?
What are your strengths, weaknesses, and quirks?
How do I do it personally?
Self-Reflection: I’ve cultivated a routine of dedicating some “quiet me time”, typically during my morning coffee ritual and the subsequent meditation session. This is when I delve into my beliefs, passions, and principles. I ask myself, what are the things that I deeply care about? What are the values that I won’t compromise on? What are the topics that I could talk about endlessly? This introspection helps me understand myself better and identify my core values.
Journaling: This is a practice that my mentor introduced to me, and after several attempts and missteps, I’ve finally managed to make it a part of my daily routine. I’ve discovered that jotting down my thoughts, feelings, and observations is an incredibly potent tool for self-exploration. I pen down my experiences, responses to the world around me, and aspirations for what lies ahead. As time passed, I began to notice recurring patterns and themes in my entries. These patterns have served me as a mirror, reflecting my authentic voice and values, and they have become a guiding compass triggering many aha moments and identifying blind spots.
Experiment and evolve: one important point to remember here is this journey of self-discovery is a never-ending game. Like you, your authentic voice isn’t static – it’s dynamic, changing, and evolving. And that’s perfectly fine. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways of expressing yourself. Remember, the goal is to be true to who you are, not to fit into a certain mold.
Real-world examples:
For example, when Apple first launched the iPhone, they didn’t just make a better phone, they reimagined what a phone could be. They focused on design and user experience, not just technical specifications. They created a product that was not only different but better in a way that mattered to people. And in doing so, they didn’t just create a new product; they created a new category.
Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow” is another perfect example to illustrate the significance of uniqueness. In his book, Godin uses the metaphor of a purple cow to represent something that is remarkable and stands out from the crowd.
Imagine you’re driving through the countryside, and you see a field full of cows. At first, you might notice them, but after a while, they all start to look the same, and you stop paying attention. But what if there was a purple cow in that field? That would certainly grab your attention. You should stop the car, take a picture, and tell all your friends about it. That’s because a purple cow is different. It’s unique. It’s remarkable.
Godin argues that being just a little bit better than your competitors in today’s crowded marketplace isn’t enough. You need to be like the purple cow – so different and remarkable that people can’t help but notice you.
He cites many examples of “purple cows” in the business world. One of them is Google. When Google first launched, plenty of search engines were already out there. But Google was different. It was remarkably simple, fast, and accurate. It didn’t try to be a portal or offer a bunch of other services. It just focused on doing one thing really well – search. And that made it stand out. It made it remarkable. It made it a purple cow.
So, as you think about your own business, ask yourself: What’s your purple cow? How can you be so different and remarkable that people can’t help but notice you? Because in the world of business, it’s not the best who wins; it’s unique.
