Rise above the crowd

In a sea of sameness, it is increasingly difficult to rise above the crowds and demonstrate how you are different or even unique perhaps. This has been one of my biggest challenges as an entrepreneur, but in a good way. It has made me think about my distinct set of skills and what I am able to bring to the table. Everyone’s journey is different, even if it looks exactly like that of someone else's. Sure I did the “college thing” just like my roommates, but each and every one of us has taken a different path in our career. We were not all creative, or analytical or emotional, but we have all fallen into areas that we excel at because of who we are, not what we studied.

And while I feel like I have probably always known what I was good at, I never really paid attention to it in a way that could turn into a career. I’ve always known the path to be relatively straight without many twists or turns. I’ve always been the rule follower and didn’t deviate from the norm. But what I am finding is that norm is not as common as it used to be. More and more people are choosing paths that are still very new and unconventional. Sure there are still doctors and lawyers and teachers that need to follow the protocol, but for all those in-betweeners, there is a lot of uncharted territory to explore.

Finding your place in life or in business is stressful, exciting, exhausting and rewarding all at the same time. It is truly amazing to uncover things about yourself that you have forgotten about, or you have a hard time bragging about. But here’s the thing, the more you know about yourself, the more confident you become in telling your story. The more you can reveal about your true self, the more people are drawn to you and what you have to offer.

While my entrepreneurial journey has been much shorter than that of my corporate career, I finally feel like I can do and say what is on my mind without the fear of being penalized for it. I am able to be my authentic self and in doing so, I am connecting with people that I never thought possible. I am finding out who I am and what I am capable of as a person and a business owner. And while I still have a lot to learn, I am happier and more fulfilled with the decisions that I have made.

And even if your path doesn’t include starting a business, find the things or people that make you want to be better. Take up a new hobby that you have always wanted to try. Start volunteering or participate in community events. Do things that make your heart race a little and take a step outside your comfort zone.  You will be amazed at how much you learn about yourself and the confidence you have inside of you. And these are the things that will set you apart from the crowd.