To stand out from the rest, you have to do things that others aren’t willing to do.
How many times have we heard this? I bet many, and yet it just doesn’t seem to sink in with most folks. It applies to everything in life: “I want to be the best leader!” “I want to be the best athlete!” “I want to be the best at (fill in the blank)!”
It boils down to this:
If you want to be the best, or at the very least, better than most at something,
what are you doing about it that others aren’t?
It’s not just about putting in work - it’s about doing the right kind of work.
So, what does it mean to do “the” work?
It means rather than simply doing what others are doing, you are pushing yourself to do it better, you are courageous enough to do something different. Typically, when I ask clients what it means to do something “better”, they assume that “better” means more work, which can be misleading. Doing more of the same as everyone else will not cut it, it’s also not sustainable. For example, your work mandates that everyone completes certain courses or workshops. When comes the time for a promotion, you and your peers are then similarly qualified, which leads to many asking: “Why didn’t I get the job? I did all this training!”...well, look around you. Everyone did the training. So how do you stand out from the rest? When we refer to doing “the work”, it refers to exactly this: What actions are you currently taking that others are too shy, too afraid, too skeptical, too slow to even try? This difference in willingness to execute on actions that others don’t will become a differentiator in itself and will help you stand out from the rest.
You have to do things differently and you have to do different things.
You have to bring forward new ideas – new, more effective and efficient ways of doing things.
You have to demonstrate your ability to collaborate and problem solve in a way that your peers don’t'.
You have to acquire valuable skills that no one else seems to care to work on.
You have to add value in a way that others don’t.
If you aspire to lead, then you have to demonstrate that you have leadership qualities that other similarly qualified peers lack.
If you don’t know where to start, ask around! Again, most people don’t even ask because they’re too afraid of what others say.
Once you decide on a course of action, your resilience or “grit” will be tested.
Here’s what else you can expect when you decide to take action:
You’re not always going to feel motivated to stay the course. In fact, you're probably going to want to give up almost more often than you will feel empowered. The true test will be whether your grit and resilience will outlast the times you feel discouraged to stay the course.
You have to be ready to be visible and this visibility will make you feel completely exposed. Because you are doing something no one else is doing, others will notice and, yikes – talk about you! And you must be ok with it. If what you are doing is in the spirit of improvement, without throwing others under the bus, then you are good. Actually, why not involve your observers in your growth. They will appreciate you asking – and it will grow your list of supporters who can vouch for you if/when you make a misstep.
You will be judged. Some will question why you’re doing what you’re doing out of sheer curiosity, but most will turn up their noses at what you’re doing simply because it’s different from what they’re doing. They don’t understand and it’s ok. Don’t waste your time trying to convince them. They won’t change their point of view – and it doesn’t matter. If this bothers you, set boundaries and limit your exposure to them. They’ll come around once you succeed.
Your social circles may change. Individuals around you who support you, along with those who share in your growth mindset will surface. You will also make amazing new connections with people who are as passionate about their own growth as you are. Spend more time with these folks. Not only will they help you remain positive, but together, you can accelerate your growth.
If it’s so hard, why bother?
I’ve gone through ALL of the “feels” one may experience when endeavoring in personal/professional growth. But the moment you decide that the “status quo” feels more scary than the unknowns that come with the exploration of what could be possible for you, THAT is the moment you will commit to doing the work it takes to stand out. Living out what you once only dreamed was possible will bring you more fulfillment than you could have ever imagined. That’s why it's worth doing the work.
Mindset reframe - snapping out of the norm and shifting to standing out from the rest
Here are common thoughts that will keep you trapped within the norm. vs thoughts that will propel you to action and stand out from the rest
“No one else at my organization does this, why should I?” VS “No one else is doing this which is why it’s a great opportunity to stand out.”
“I’m only doing this work because I have to.” VS “I’m doing this because I want to.” or “I’m doing this because it will get me closer to my goals.”
“I probably won’t get the promotion so why bother trying.” VS “Every time I apply I learn something new about myself and build on my skills to make myself more marketable.”
“I’ll do the bare minimum to get by.” VS “I’m going to give 100% effort and see what happens.”
So, do YOU have what it takes to stand out from the rest?
Whenever you are ready, there are 2 other ways I can help you:
1. If you are still looking to further improve your leadership skills, let me recommend starting with an affordable course:
→ The New Leader’s Survival Guide: Time Management
→ Stand Out From The Rest: Communicate Like An Effective Leader
2. If you are looking for a more customized leadership development experience, leadership coaching may be the better option to get you to your professional development goals faster. Book a complimentary “Discovery Call” to discuss your goals and see if working with a leadership coach might be the way to go.