Have you ever wondered what makes people remarkable?
People like Aaron Stanton, who had a great business idea, but after years of trying, he couldn’t get Google to listen to him. They wouldn’t even HEAR about his idea! So he decided to take drastic measures:
“In just three days, I will be getting on a plane to California. There, I will go to Google’s headquarters, and I will sit in the lobby until somebody hears me out.”
Within days, he had thousands of people online following every step of his journey. And he got his meeting with Google.
What is “being remarkable”?
Being remarkable means being worth remarking. In other words, worth talking about.
When you do something that a lot of people talk about, congratulations! You are now remarkable. Now let’s figure out how to do it!
The right kind of remarkability
In our deepest hearts, we all want to be important. And more often than not, that means being remarkable – having people talk about us, inspiring masses, being famous.
Some people go about it the wrong way. They manage to achieve fame by recording videos of themselves doing stupid things. Umm, great… but what then? They get their 5-minute flash of fame, and when that burns out, they’re left with just ashes.
But there is another category of remarkable people. People who don’t just do it for the fame, but because they have a great idea they believe in.
Like the guy who went and gave everything he owned away, keeping only $100 in cash, and moving to a town where he didn’t know anyone. He did this because he believed anybody can get themselves out of poverty, if they really want to. He decided to put his beliefs through the ultimate trial by fire – by doing it himself.
He managed to get out of poverty in just under two years. (And then he went and said “Of course this doesn’t prove anything. I’m young, healthy, and white.”)
These people have one thing in common. They have something they deeply believe in, and take inspiring action to do something about it.
How to be remarkable
You too can be remarkable. It’s not that hard.
Granted, you won’t turn into an Oprah overnight. But getting started on your journey to being remarkable is surprisingly easy. Here is the core approach:
1. Decide on your message
There’s something you believe in that you want to let more people know about. I know that for a fact. Just take some time to think about it, and decide on one message you want to promote right now.
It might be using Linux. It might be vegetarianism. Or the therapeutic benefits of sea-turtle herding. Whatever.
(I recently re-named my blog to Fun Life Development, because I finally (after about 17 months :p) decided what my core message is. A light-hearted look at Personal Development, without losing any of the effectiveness. Life is fun!)
2. Think of a simple way to spread the message to more people
If you want to spread Linux, all you have to do is buy some blank CDs and a permanent marker, burn a couple of copies your favorite distribution, and start handing them out to people.
Or, if you can get together a few friends, you could set up a small temporary stall, along the lines of “get informed”. Use a laptop to demonstrate the latest Compiz goodness. Get passerbies interested. (I’m pretty sure passerbies is not a word, but hey 
)
It doesn’t take a lot. Yes, your first steps might not be very remarkable. That’s ok. You won’t go from Neil Nobody to Chris Guillebeau overnight. The important bit is taking action early, and taking it often.
3. Take action!
’nuff said.
…
Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
- start a blog
- find like-minded people in your area, and form a mastermind group
- contact people who are already spreading a similar message, and team up with them or ask for advice
- get started TODAY
And that’s it. Stop reading about being remarkable, and start doing!
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
#3 is so important! Action is the hardest thing to do…What a great post. It really is good advice!
Positively Present’s last blog post..down and out is overrated
Also important research about anything that you think is obstacle. Your map of word is maybe wrong. I was for example thinking own your own domain is and space on web server is too expensive, and than one guy in my company ask me how much is this really cost and guess what it’s about 5$ a month in Croatia. Enough said, check your obstacles carefully, maybe they don’t exist.
@PP:
Ya, that’s why I talk about taking action again and again
. I’m hoping that maybe, after somebody hears it a dozen times, they’ll actually give it a shot.
@Dalibor:
Great point! I have nothing to add.
I want to become remarkable… I’m going to start doing graffiti ^^
> I’m pretty sure passerbies is not a word
I think it’s “passers-by”. Just for next time.
Sometimes I think I’m remarkably ineffective. But then lately I’m spending about 15 hours a day just earning a living and being a mother, which doesn’t leave a whole lot of time to plan my escape from the hamster wheel.
@Ssnot:
Good luck with that. I hear great graffiti artists can get pretty famous. (Can you do penguin graffiti? Please?
)
@Anonymous:
Thanks for the correction, grammar mom :p
And as for escaping the hamster wheel… I know it’s tough when you have a lot on your plate. But I’ve heard of many moms achieving it, by slowly starting an online business on the side, based around some passion or hobby of theirs. You don’t need to put in very much time at all at first, say 3-4 hours a week should do. You might wanna look into that.
Thanks! Fame that is not connected to a face but directly to what you do <3 I also want to get a better understanding about why we make art. Graffiti is in my opinion maybe one of the purest art forms: Shaping/adding something to the environment without thinking about money or safety.
I also like the way graffiti can last for a very long time if its left untouched, and how it also may be painted over or removed in very little time. Why make art that is so fragile?
Many questions…. #3 will bring me closer to answers
(Sure i could make some linux propaganda; why should only those with money have a voice in our society
)
What happens if your belief in the message changes over time?
For example, what if I love KDE but in six months I love gnome?
Does it matter?
@Chris:
Good question. What DOES happen? Should it worry you?
Think about it for a moment.
If you really think KDE is better, then there’s no reason why you should hold back on your promoting of it, just because there’s a small chance you might start to like Gnome better in 6 months. In the moment, promoting what you believe in is all that matters.
And if your beliefs switch to Gnome later on, because of some new circumstances… even better! You’re now someone who used to be an avid KDE supporter, but switched to Gnome. That will give you more authority than someone who liked Gnome all along.
As long as your beliefs are correct based on the information you have at the time, you have nothing to worry about it.