Your individuality could be the key to unlocking your utmost potential.
Today’s education system is undergoing an identity crisis.
Having spent at least fifteen years in different educational settings across numerous countries, I have noticed the persistent emphasis on uniformity rather than self-realization.
However, in the imminent AI-dominated world, the ones who dare to be unique will own the future.
Throughout my professional journey, I have strived to distinguish myself from the crowd, capitalizing on my distinctiveness for career progression.
From a high school dropout, I turned into a university degree holder, leadership mentor, and the CSO of a prominent education corporation in Asia.
So how did I achieve this?
Let me explain.
Understanding yourself.
I am acquainted with a person who persistently seeks assistance to rectify irrelevant issues.
He is devoid of self-awareness and hence trapped in a perpetual illusion. He continues to grab opportunities that align with his perception of himself, ignoring the actual reality, leading to constant disappointment. This dissatisfaction gradually morphs into resentment, leaving him bitter and shattered.
You must be willing to discover your true self. Not for self-criticism, but to confront the truth. It might be difficult, but it is not as harsh as never being able to surpass your limitations or living under false pretenses.
Commence with cataloging your abilities and talents. What skills do you possess? What are your pursuits? Where do you stand out?
What about your eccentricities? They are the aspects that make you unforgettable. Instead of hiding them, embrace them with pride.
How can you place yourself in scenarios where these peculiarities serve as your strengths, resources or provide you with an edge?
I’m an incessant talker, always have been. It landed me in trouble during school days but proved to be an asset in my roles as a waiter, a loved teacher, an efficient mentor, and a bold public speaker.
If your environment induces negative feelings about yourself, it’s time to change it.
Carve out and then cultivate your unique brand. No one else can do you better than yourself.
We are all naturally inclined to both create and interpret stories. This quality aids us in grasping complex concepts and navigates us through the constant changes of our surroundings.
Your brand is your standing. Your cultural capital. It’s what people recall when they bring you to mind.
So what narrative do you wish people to recount about you?
Here’s a piece of advice: Don’t attempt to portray a false image. While it might look appealing to portray a certain persona, the benefits are often fleeting.
Initially, maintaining such an appearance is tiresome. Furthermore, although projecting an image or publicly impersonating a character may seem to guard you, it simultaneously hinders growth. This is because while you might avoid criticism (since they aren’t targeting the ‘real you’), you can’t take credit for the accomplishments either. They belong to someone else.
Authenticity is vital. Remain faithful to who you are. Allow your true self to radiate in everything you engage in. Let your actions loudly proclaim your principles. And let your reactions to obstacles reveal your true character.
Develop and polish your unique personal brand
No one is more capable of being you than you yourself.
Humans are designed to weave and comprehend stories. It assists us in understanding intricate concepts and keeps us synchronized with the ever-evolving universe.
Your brand signifies your reputation. It’s your social asset. It’s the first thought that comes to people’s mind when they think of you.
So, what narrative do you wish others to construct about you?
Heed this advice: Don’t fake or imitate. It might seem tempting to portray an imaginary persona, but it results in lessening benefits in the long run.
Primarily, maintaining a façade can be draining. Secondly, even though this imaginary persona may provide a shield against criticism, it also hampers your growth. This is because you are not the one facing the criticism, hence you cannot lay claim to the accomplishments either. They belong to a fictitious character, not you.
The key lies in authenticity. Be true to your own self. Let your authentic self radiate in everything you undertake. Let your deeds be a testament to your principles. And let your handling of obstacles reveal your true character.
Unearth prosperity through specialization
In my career, I have amassed considerable knowledge in site management, project management, and leadership roles. Yet, I wouldn’t claim supremacy in any of these domains.
Simultaneously with my prime occupation, I’ve enriched my skill set with various roles:
- Conceptual Planning
- Presentational Speaking
- Film Production
- Promotion tactics
- Mentoring
- Instructional Skills
- Content Creation
Even though I might not be the topmost expert (or anywhere near) in any of these fields, that’s not my goal. My aim is to have enough hands-on know-how in each to perform proficiently. Then, I have discovered prosperity at the intersection of these skills, carving out a unique position as an expert within my niche.
As soon as I realized this, my subsequent step was to ensure that I offered a unique vantage point and married it with an inventive approach to bundle it all.
Lastly, I hunted for areas where there existed an appetite, or necessity for such a combination.
Forge ahead
Venture into fresh territories, experiment, and pave the way forward.
In my current professional domain, I crafted my role as a value-provider, target-achiever, and planner. Though these skills didn’t directly correlate with my initial position, I took the initiative, sat with the CEO, and pitched a new role that suited these skills. I was able to demonstrate my competency, show how I had been merging these skills in my former role, and present a blueprint for my future function.
The outcome? I’ve established a novel role for myself, as a CSO, and am in the process of developing a fresh R&D division for an assortment of innovative, groovy, stimulating new material development and digital platform projects.
I discovered an intersection where my interests and enthusiasm coincided with the elements that would foster company growth and profit.
All this happened simply because I took the initiative to nurture this idea, exerted effort into placing myself in the right position, and invested time in convincing and pitching in the right manner.
Don’t underestimate the power of what you know…
Harness the strength of your circle of contacts. You may argue, ‘I don’t have one’. That’s alright, I’ve been there. However, there’s always a starting point and building a network is a gradual process. So why not embark on this journey today?
A vast network enhances your chances at fortune. Rather than adjusting your skills to fit a restricted pool of prospects, broaden your horizon to retain your genuine self.
Moreover, a robust network is a long-term investment. It aids in building your reputation, widening your opportunities, presenting alternate viewpoints, creating openings, and unlocking the door to numerous mutually beneficial circumstances.
Wondering where to begin? Maintain your bonds with previous coworkers or schoolmates, past educators, old superiors, participate in associations or clubs that align with your interests or profession, be a part of seminars or professional enhancement workshops relevant to your field, or establish a presence on LinkedIn.
Knowing more people increases your access to personal opportunities and feedback. You don’t have to depend on the standard circumstances of any job or setting you land in, but you’ll instead have the chance to shape a framework of choices that align with your identity and aspirations.
Embrace Constant Learning
Continual self-enhancement helps differentiate you from the rest.
By choosing to grow, you gain a competitive advantage over those who stay stagnant, and even those who choose to evolve too.
Stay interested. Be inquisitive. Display humility. Maintain an openness to knowledge and criticism. Welcome new experiences that life offers. Pursue different viewpoints. Question your preconceived beliefs. And make an effort to identify and seize opportunities to advance.
You don’t need to make grand changes. Simply showing up each day and asking ‘how can I improve a little more today?’ is a beneficial initial step. As Seneca suggested, “every day, gain something which will assist you in dealing with poverty, or death, and other adversities… pick one to thoroughly comprehend that day”.
Failure is your Ally
A significant part of this process involves recognizing the value of your failures. It’s referred to as trial and error for a reason. Instant perfection is not the expectation. In fact, you might lose some additional benefit if you achieved flawlessness immediately.
Because failure isn’t contrary to success. It’s a milestone along its path. A necessary obstruction, it’s your undercover best friend.
Extract lessons from your mistakes, implement your learnings, and modify your approach as needed. This way, you’ll build the tenacity to hold on through challenging times, cherishing the growth you achieve in the process.
Because combining all these elements will provide you with a robust base to nurture your individuality without any compromise. You will continue to expand your essence and your work, and open new possibilities.
Foster Individuality in Others
One powerful way to appreciate our own distinctiveness is to acknowledge it in others as well.
This brings attention to the impactful strategies others develop and illuminates varying solutions, which in turn bolsters our self-assurance in our own uniqueness.
Welcome the many shades of diversity in all its glory. Each person is a unique mixture of cultural, historical, national origins, and perspectives that shape their daily thoughts and deeds. This doesn’t even account for everyone’s respective personality, upbringing, and mindset.
Champion the marvel of individuality! Be the forerunner of every voice, demonstrating the importance of listening to others.
By advocating for this, you become a splendid role model. And sure, you might gain some benefits along the way too. Creating such an environment promotes personal growth and development,
However, while that isn’t your primary objective, it’s always a pleasant reward when it unfolds.
Forge the path by journeying ahead
Your major strength is your individuality.
By embracing, reveling in, and utilizing it, you can unlock opportunities specially designed for you. This will guide you along a career path brimming with potential fulfillment, purpose, and authenticity. You don’t have to conform to succeed, but are free to live according to your own principles, staying true to yourself.
The world craves your unique insights, skills, and contributions. Do everything in your power to bring them into fruition.
You owe it to those who surround you. More significantly, you owe it to yourself!
