“The people that really lean into themselves, like really don’t try to put other things on a pedestal, other people, other opinions and just get really comfortable with the purest form of them? Yeah. Those are the people that have impact, because that’s where the uniqueness—the way you say things, the analogies, the stories, the interpretations, the subtle observations that are unique to you—come out.” No one has ever been like you before. No one will ever be like you again. So why would you copy other people? Why would you try to be like someone else? That’s where the fun is (you don’t have to fake anything). That’s where the value is (when we are like everyone else, we are replaceable—by definition). You should be you. That’s your monopoly. That’s your edge.”
- Gary Vaynerchuk (aka “Gary Vee”b. 1975), American businessman, author and influencer, as quoted by Ryan Holiday in his “29 Lessons From 150 Million Podcasts Downloads”
Gary Vee and Ryan Holiday make a difference for me, even though I’ve never met either of them. Holiday writes about The Stoics (and tons of other topics), and Gary Vee is as good of a digital media and modern business guy as you’ll find anywhere. The links above will take you to sites from which you can subscribe or follow them, which I recommend.
In a week dedicated to belief and writing, these two gents are a great place to set an anchor.
When Belief Wavers
What about when our belief gets wobbly? Those times, seasons, events or circumstances that shake us or knock us off our stride?
In matters of Faith, the simple answer is if we’re wavering in our Belief, we can / should / must dive into The Word.
In business and personal application Vaynerchuk gives us some words to focus on. Value. Fun. Edge. Even “monopoly.” There’s where each of our unique differentiation is rooted.
I’m not suggesting we should be inconsiderate. That said, if we are altering the way we say things, the way we engage or the stories we tell to please someone else the odds seem pretty good that we’re not honoring either them or ourselves. Maybe we need a different prospect, Client, audience or person.
When we lean into and believe in who we are, who He made us to be, we’re at our best. We’ll have the most fun, add the most value, and create an edge over our competition. Well channeled belief, it seems, is kinda like bringing a gun to a sword fight.
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