Stop trying to find your uniqueness: Unleash it. Here's how.

Most people spend their lives trying to find what makes them unique—chasing big achievements, stacking up titles, waiting for that one defining moment to scream, “This is who I am!”

"This is what makes ME Unique!" (yes, capital U for Unique).

It took me a while to realise this: Your uniqueness isn’t in the highlight reel.

It’s actually in the B-roll: The unfiltered, unpolished moments you barely notice but that make you unmistakably you.

The way you order your coffee. The playlists you swear by. The weird little routines you repeat without thinking.

If someone filmed a documentary of your life, what would they capture?

And more importantly—would you even realise that those are the moments that make you unforgettable?

Btw pssst... Here's my podcast episode on the topic if you prefer listening.

What is B-roll?

If you’ve ever watched a documentary, a news report, or even a behind-the-scenes video, you’ve seen B-roll, whether you realised it or not.

B-roll is the secondary footage that supports the main story.

It’s the extra shots that set the scene and add context.

Think of it as the difference between just hearing someone say they’re a great chef versus actually seeing a time-lapse of them in the kitchen, chopping ingredients, plating dishes, and tasting sauces.

While there's main content: The interview, the speech, the key event... B-roll fills in the gaps, making everything more dynamic and engaging.

And just like in film, the B-roll of your life is what gives you depth.

It’s not just what you say makes you unique; it’s the way you live, the things you do automatically, the personal touches that make you you.

The B-roll of your life

This realisation hit me during a spontaneous nail appointment with my friend, Petra Zink.

As we were chatting away, she casually set up her DJI Osmo camera to capture some time-lapse footage.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Just getting some B-roll,” she said (see below).

And that got me thinking:

What if the key to understanding what makes us unique isn’t in the major milestones, but in the everyday moments we don’t even register as important?

Yes! Your uniqueness is in the detail

We often define ourselves by the “main event” moments: Launching a business, landing a promotion, winning an award.

But real uniqueness comes from the details:

• The way you take your coffee (meticulous pour-over ritual vs. instant with two sugars)
• The music you listen to while working (lofi beats vs. death metal)
• Your weekend rituals (farmers’ markets vs. gaming marathons)
• How you spend your downtime (long-distance running vs. fixing a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am)

For me, my B-roll includes recovering from my Achilles injury, spontaneous convertible drives, and dog park hangs.

For you, it might be something completely different.

And that’s exactly the point.

The Avengers effect: You’re interesting (even if you don’t see it)

A while ago, a friend of mine said she didn’t really know what made her unique. “I’m just…me,” she shrugged.

Then, a few days later, she replied to my Instagram story about a superhero-themed Peloton ride, casually mentioning her love for Avengers movies.

Hold up. I had no idea she was a massive Marvel fan.

Suddenly, I saw her in a completely different light. That one tiny detail - her deep knowledge of the Marvel universe - was something I never imagined her to be into.

She had never thought to mention it because it felt normal to her.

But to someone else? It was a part of what made her interesting.

We’re all walking around with these hidden quirks, assuming they don’t matter.

But they do.

Unveiling, not discovering

I think we should stop using the phrase “discovering your uniqueness”. It makes it sound like something you have to go out and find.

Instead, think of it as unveiling.. or even better, unleashing what’s already there.

Your uniqueness isn’t lost.

It’s just sitting in your blind spot (most likely in your Camera Roll, too).

So, take a moment to step back and actually notice the small things you do without thinking, the ones that shape how people experience you.

Your life is a documentary in progress

Imagine your life as a documentary.

What B-roll moments would be in it? Would they paint a picture of who you are?

For me, I weave in references to Tom Cruise in my content - not just because I think he’s the best actor in the world (he is), but because I admire his relentless drive and commitment to his craft. That tiny detail adds texture to my story.

If you feel like your daily routines are too predictable, that’s also a valuable insight.

Maybe your structured approach to life is your point of difference! There are plenty of people who crave that kind of order.

Or maybe it’s time to shake things up: Explore a new hobby, try a different café, do something that adds fresh material to your B-roll.

Your turn: Identify your B-roll

Ask yourself:

• If someone filmed a documentary of your life, what B-roll moments would they capture?
• What do you do so naturally that you don’t even realise it’s unique?
• What unexpected combinations of interests or routines make up your story?

Sometimes, the key to standing out isn’t in the big moments. It’s in the small, seemingly insignificant ones.

You don’t have to search for your uniqueness. It’s already there.

Pay attention to your B-roll, and let it do the storytelling for you.

Question for you:

What’s in your B-roll?

Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear it!

About the author: Leanne Hughes

Leanne Hughes is an internationally recognised keynote speaker, facilitator, and author of The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress.

Often described as a “Thought Breeder,” she helps leaders and teams spark bold ideas, drive meaningful results, and create extraordinary experiences.

She also hosts First Time Facilitator and the Leanne on Demand podcast, where she shares insights daily.

Find her work at leannehughes.com.