Are You Unique?

Do you truly have a unique message that is worth hearing? Are you authentic, original and fresh? It’s hard to say yes to this one. King Solomon around 900 BC said it best, “There is nothing new under the sun”. Much of what we read and take-in is simply repackaged knowledge, headlines and material that has been updated and placed in today’s vernacular. (That doesn’t mean it can’t be fresh, clever or offer a new perspective.) Of course we continue to find ways to create, innovate and improve. Science, technology and medicine offer some powerful examples. However, think about most of what is pumped out daily just to fill newscasts, TV and website headlines – it is often yesterday’s news repackaged with a new photo and shocking headline.
If we shift from the media and look at ourselves, we’ll realize that being “unique” is enough to provide a competitive advantage in the market or niche we operate in. Rather than conform we should seek our own unique voice and get comfortable communicating from there. Don’t discount your perspective or ideas because they are different – test them. If they are valid; resonate with your target audience and not the masses, you’re probably on to something. Perhaps you are an “acquired taste” for a select group.
Becoming unique means…

• If people don’t agree with you it may mean that you are talking to the wrong group.
• Just because it’s been said before doesn’t mean you can’t restate it from your perspective. We need the input of many on the same subject to get the full perspective.
• If people don’t agree with your perspective you actually may be on to something new – don’t give up.
• Being contrarian not to anger or annoy but to challenge and cause deeper thinking.
• Being yourself and doing it in the best and most positive manner you can.
• Thinking beyond the norm and outside your industry rules and standards.
• Taking risks and enjoying the energy and rush that comes from independent thinking.

For more perspective on the topic follow this link to a related previous blog.

Maybe being oneself is an acquired taste. For a writer it’s a big deal to bow–or kneel or get knocked down–to the fact that you are going to write your own books and not somebody else’s. Not even those books of the somebody else you thought it was your express business to spruce yourself up to be. ~ Patricia Hampl