Heyaa,
Have you watched The Imitation Game? The movie?
If you havenāt yet, let me tell you, itās the story of Alan Turing decrypting German intelligence messages during World War II.Ā
Although I don't like historical dramas (they're boring), I watched this one. And it has become one of my favs. Have watched it multiple times.
I have watched it multiple times, not because of the story but because Benedict starred in it. Yep. Benedict Cumberbatch. Just because of him. I donāt have a crush on him.
Itās just that Benedict has a certain character, a style, a distinctive style that makes his movie characters; charming, endearing.
So, today, Iād like to talk a bit about that. Having a personality.
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OK, back to my storyā¦
By personality, unique personality, I donāt mean being brainy and extraordinary, but still exotic. Having a personality is about keeping your originality. Typical, wack, striking.
You know, recently, I was browsing the blog of a SaaS platform.
I loved reading the articles occasionally. I liked those because the blog didnāt seem to be in the race for SEO. The articles werenāt what everyone else used to post.
The blog āhadā content and insights not usually available on the ranking results. It had case studies, stories and interviews. Even its general articles felt like conversations.
And it āwasā one of my dream clients. Was; not anymore.
When I checked it recently, it was full of generic blog posts. Content like every other blog you'll find upon a Google search on a topic.
The blog lost the personality it had. The personality of a friend; eager and excited about sharing their insights with you.
It felt like it succumbed to pressure, lost itself to commonality, to following trends. It felt like just another SaaS blog.
Losing your personality can be catastrophic. Not sure if it was for that blog, but it can be for you.
If you look around, everything you love has something unique about them, whether itās a person or a product. It can be a feature, it can be an experience, or it can just be a story.
For example, if I have to choose between Real and Tropicana, Iāll pick anyone depending on the mood.
But among Paperboat, Real and Tropicana, Iāll almost always choose Paperboat. Why? Because it stands out. It also makes me nostalgic. Paperboat takes me back to childhood (not the juices, maybe, but the story it has weaved around itself).
Uniqueness like that makes you memorable. Uniqueness makes people want to associate with you. Normal and unremarkable donāt make the cut. Not anymore; even if you're being consistent at what you're doing.
Yes, I know, everyone chants, āConsistency is the key.ā It actually is. But unless you're actually working on the skills you want to be remarkable at, just being consistent takes you nowhere.
If you arenāt unique, youāre replaceable. Easily replaceable, if I must say.
So, take your personality everywhere with you, maybe. Be unusual, maybe.
Following the trends might be rewardingā¦ Setting the trends is refreshing.
When I think of that, you donāt even have to set the trend. Doing something no one is doingā¦ that itself is satisfying.
And thatās all for today.
Leaving you with a quote from The Imitation Game:
āSometimes it is the people who know one imagines anything of, do the things that no one can imagine.ā
Bidding adieu.
Live long and prosper.
See you next week, with another story.