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Whenever I hear any variation of the phrase “Everyone is unique”, I cringe. Despite what most people may claim to believe, I do not find this statement to be true. It’s just something that people say to make boring people feel better about themselves. I suppose that everyone is technically different, but that hardly makes everyone unique. I define being unique as being memorable and worth talking about (and preferably in a good way).
To me, following the same trends and fashions because everyone else is doing it does not make one unique. When I’m trying to get to know someone, I hate when I ask what kind of music he listens to and he replies “Everything”. Really? Really, dude? Everything? Way to go out on a limb and stick out. “Everything” is the least unique answer anyone could ever give.
I understand that things become popular for a reason — a great mass of people can relate to them. But when you never step outside the realm of popularity, you become very uncool.
This is something that applies to the business world as well. If you’re following the same trends as others in your industry, how can you expect to stand out? When you cease to be innovative and gutsy, you cease to be unique. What if Google had decided to play it safe and do things more in line with what other search engines were doing? You’d still be hopping between Yahoo! and AltaVista (Why would we do want to do that? Google is awesome!)
Part of being unique is having a passion for something.
Don’t read a book just because it’s a classic. Read it because it interests you. Don’t be afraid to pick up American Psycho instead of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Don’t buy that Beatles CD because everyone tells you that they’re the best band of all time. If you think they suck, then they do. And in my world, they do!
Do you really want to be just like everyone else? The majority of people are boring. All too often, I catch myself meeting the same person over and over again in different people. But every once in a while, I meet someone who’s truly one of a kind. And that’s the kind of person who is memorable and worth talking about (and in a good way).
When you’re afraid to be unique, you are afraid to brand yourself. And right now, that’s the last thing you need to be afraid to do.
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Comments
03.12.10
You might want to adjust your thinking about what people listen to. Some people don't have a passion for music. Their passion lies elsewhere.
So they truly DO listen to "everything" because music just isn't their passion. But you might find out their passion if you asked them about their hobby or their work or their family.
Just a thought.
03.12.10
Perhaps that wasn't the best example and I understand what you mean. However, I believe the vast majority of us have preferences even about things we aren't passionate about. "Everything" becomes a euphamism for "whatever is cool". Yes, I should have explained that differently.
03.14.10
I'm just excited that you had the guts to say you don't like The Beatles. Neither do I! I can say with sincerity that I like this post.
03.14.10
Thank you, Elizabeth. I try not to jump on bandwagons unless I'm truly interested. And the last thing I ever want it is to be identified as "just another guy" or "just like everyone else". I have never been that kind of person, and I don't plan on starting now. All too often, we pass up opportunities to show how unique we might actually be.
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