How you become a pioneer (even if you think that everybody is already taken)

An essential element of your personal brand is its uniqueness. That you offer something that no one else does. How do you do that? Become a pioneer!?

To be the first means to have achieved something that no one has done before.

Who was the first person to cross the Atlantic in a solo flight? Charles Lindbergh. Who was the second? You don't know? You're like most people. His name was Bert Hinkler. He was a better pilot than Lindbergh, covered the distance faster, used less fuel. And yet only a few people know his name.

This example shows the powerful charisma of the pioneer role. For even if subsequent pilots chose more difficult routes or flew faster, they never achieved what Lindbergh did. Because he is the original - and therefore unique.

Why the first are unbeatable

In all fields, in business, sport, politics, science, art and entertainment, we find people who have made a name for themselves as "the first" and are thus immortal in our memory.

But where does this fascination for the original come from? Why do we stubbornly cling to the idea that the first must also be the best?

#1 Pioneers are interesting

Pioneers thus arouse our interest: We want to know what exactly is going on, want to know more about the person in the spotlight. So we follow their actions in the media, discuss what is happening with people we know and give them our full attention. Regardless of whether this person is doing something admirable in our eyes or whether we shake our heads at his or her actions, we can hardly escape the spell of the new.

#2 Pioneers are natural leaders

Pioneers go boldly ahead and are prepared to assert themselves and stand out against any competitors. This makes them appear determined and self-confident, they are highly motivated and often dominant.

The above-mentioned characteristics such as self-confidence, assertiveness and pioneering spirit correspond to the ideas of a strong leader in our society. Therefore, we unconsciously attribute greater leadership competencies and a claim to leadership to people who display these characteristics in a pronounced manner and recognise them as leader figures.

At this moment, an upward spiral is created: because we recognise these people as leaders, we give them the supportive feedback: "You are good, we believe in you." This support from our side in turn increases their confidence and strengthens their status, which makes them feel validated in their role as a leader and further builds their leadership aspirations.

#3 Pioneers are "the best"

Pioneers have been in business the longest. Therefore, they have more experience and we believe they have the greatest knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, they can fall back on a unique selling proposition that stands outside of any competition. Because only one will be first - forever.

Find your niche - and be first there

Admittedly: It is not easy to find an area in which you can be a pioneer. Nevertheless, individuals succeed time and again in finding a niche in which they can make their mark as the first.?

Especially today, when many things are in transition, there are many opportunities to do something new, to explore new avenues, to think or do things differently.

We should not let ourselves be blinded by the big players. Not only those who invent Facebook or the iPhone are pioneers. Anyone who develops a new technique or is the first member of a group to achieve a particular goal, is a pioneer.?

Pioneers look for gaps where new opportunities arise for improving on current situations. The administrator who introduces a new, virtual filing system in his company or the boss who allows her employees to work part-time despite opposition from the top are pioneers.?Just as anyone who brings a unique take to a product or service or finds a new way to solve a problem.?

The following will help you discover and strengthen your pioneering role:

1. If you are looking for an area in which you could be the first, this can refer to: professional skill, something you do in your spare time, an experience that has influenced you deeply and is unique, or a combination of activities that is new in this way.
2. Be creative: What do you miss in your everyday life that you could "invent"? What have you already seen somewhere else that would be new in your environment?
3. It is often the combination of the tried and tested with the new that inspires new ideas. Or when you combine three characteristics that are not spectacular on their own, but are fresh and exciting in combination.?
4. If there is an area in your life where you are already a pioneer today, make it public! Share your experiences and knowledge on social media. Try to get the media interested in your achievements, write articles or books, give interviews and presentations. Open your own website and maintain a blog or YouTube channel.
5. If it is a topic that can be sold, approach potential customers.

What is your original way, idea, product, style, voice or point of view??Please share it in the comments and have others learn from you.

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