I’ll be honest: A lot of what I do for my “job,” if you want to call it that, isn’t that difficult. It isn’t even anything remotely close to rocket science either and I share a lot of what I do as well as how I do it as well.
The question, then, is why more people aren’t actually doing it or why is it when you try (or may have at least thought) about checking into those “get rich quick schemes” online that they haven’t worked either?
The truth is that everyone one of those people regardless of how “transparent” or “authentic” they are still keep their best strategies and methods to themselves. And even if they don’t hoard their many secrets and appear to give them away so willingly to anyone who would listen they still maintain a few secrets which they can never fully reveal.
And that’s the problem but also the incredibly freeing truth of what many of us do every single day, regardless of whether we’ve got a full time salary at a great (or terrible) job, whether we’re a successful (or struggling) freelancer, and even if you’re a experienced (or completely green) entrepreneur – our unique perspective is what makes the difference.
You see, I can teach my methods, strategies, and even try my hardest to teach people the things that I know and that I do. I share a wealth of resources to people and share everything that I use from a technological perspective but even make attempts to share my perspective of how I approach problems and discover solutions.
Yet at the end of the day I remain me and you remain you and the way that we approach (and solve) problems will always be unique and near impossible to qualify and quantify.
But we try anyway, right? We share our thoughts via our blogs and we go to conferences to get that small bit of inspiration or perspective that might help catapult us to the next level. We pay for incredible amounts of personal development, coaching, and some of us even go back to school so that we can create a new perspective that will free us from our current environment and situation and open the doors to new ones.
And yes, all of those things can, may, and will work at times. But it won’t be enough until you spend the time not just understanding your own perspective and appreciating the fact that it’s the best darn thing that you’ve got going for you. It’s your most promising and powerful tool for doing the incredible and it also makes you, you, and you incredibly unique and different.
You and I have our own “secret” formula to life that can’t be purchased or taught or even caught. Live it and love it – it’s the only one that you’ll ever get.
[Image via Creative Commons, gato]
Agreed. It’s like cooking. You and I can have the same ingredients and even follow the same recipe but come out with two different tasting meals. The process matters (and so does the cook).
I have 3 secrets:
1-I love Star Wars. I have spent much time researching, archiving, filing, curating, digging, pinning, posting, drooling, laughing…in the processs I learned to do some things that I sometimes get paid to do.
2-I am a fast-learner. This piece that God gave me scares the crap out me at times.
3-I love deeply. I develop emotional connections that go deeper. I can understand and empathize with others. I can find colors, photos, art to convey those emotions.
#4 I have no more secrets.
Beautifully worded by both of you … and in your own unique ways.
Cheers
My secret: never stop learning.
As much as it sucks to never truly learn the “secret sauce” of our various idols and experts, maybe it’s not so bad in the grand scheme.
After all, having a unique brand/secret is one of the things that gives a neophyte a chance to succeed.
Thanks for keeping us inspired, John!
That is a nice post!
I really enjoyed reading it. The best blogs are like a conversation. This one’s a good example. Way to go, John!
Peter
Very cool! One of the best realizations is that you are you – and that the way you are is your best competitive advantage. If a guru shares all their secrets, then hundreds of people are trying to do the same thing. You, being you, is the way you stand out.
Great post!
This is so true – but how often forgotten! Thanks for the reminder, John. It seems like the age we live in really encourages us to be ourselves because the avenues to reach other like-minded people, or those who will appreciate that uniqueness, are more open now too.
Very true you as an individual are unique. Stay unique!