This Is What It Takes To Become World-Class
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Before we move on, you need to ask yourself, do you really want to be an original? Do you really want to be unique? Do you really want to be a leader? Do you really want to make a difference?
There is no shame in answering no. Most people live an uninspiring life and there is nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, you need to know the sacrifices it takes if you do want to be original, unique, a leader, and make a difference.
You will go through a lot of suffering and failure on your way to originality.
“I don’t count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count.”
— MUHAMMAD ALI
Are you ready for the pain? I will be the first to try and talk you out of being an original because of the hardships. My favorite song is “Down in the Valley” by the Head and the Heart because of the lyrics:
“I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Like ridin’ around on railcars and workin’ long days
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways . . .”
Those lyrics resonate with me as many days I desire to just have a “normal” life, but I know that is not why I was put on this earth. Maybe you are the same. There is something within you which craves originality, to be different, and to make your mark. If that is you, below are two ways to get started.
Become the Minority
Some of you will laugh at this because you are routinely a minority, yet you might not be actively seeking opportunities to be a minority. Let me explain. You will automatically be unique if you are the minority in a group for the practical reason you are the only male, female, Indian, Muslim, or other distinguishing factor.
The benefit of being the minority is that you will be exposed to new ideas. It is a running joke with my friends where I am regularly the only white male in a group. This has allowed me to see the world from different perspectives, learn about struggles others face, and challenged my way of thinking. I am grateful for my contacts because they are unlike me.
Get around people who don’t look like you and all of a sudden you will become an original automatically. The benefit will be an expanded view of the world, new friendships, and introduction to amazing food :)
Time Alone
Being an original means long stretches of time working towards something special, trying new ways of accomplishing tasks which will likely fail, and countless nights waking up at 3:00 am questioning your life decisions.
One of my favorite personal pictures is rather simple. It’s a shot of a hallway from the C.T. Bauer College of Business where I attained my MBA. The photo is basic. Just a hallway with no people and only a few lights on, yet it represents something to me. The photo was taken at 5:48 pm on a Friday.
I was a full-time MBA student and had started my own business. That night I was working on a client project and realized I was the only person in the building. I was alone, building my business, and missing out on Friday night with my wife and son.
Being an original means time to yourself working while others are out. Are you willing to be alone and work on your craft, idea, business, and skills? If the answer is no, then originality will elude you. If you can withstand the solidarity, you are on your way to uniqueness.