Before you pursue a project that you believe is unique, entrepreneur Johnny Earle suggests writing down a list of 10 ways in which what you’re doing is different from your competition.
Photo by Steven Depolo
While Johnny is talking about starting a business, the concept applies to any area of life where you need to become distinct from a crowd. Whether you’re building a product, doing something creative, or pursuing a promotion at work, it’s important to establish how you differentiate yourself, rather than assuming that your way is the exception to the rule. As Johnny puts it:
In the beginning, it’s very important to ask yourself… ‘What are 10 things that separate me from everybody else who’s doing something similar?’ Because everything in the world has been done before and it’s all about how you recreate it and how you reinvent yourself.
In any competitive market, being different in just one way isn’t enough. You may not be bringing a revolutionary shift to the table (and in fact, those are very rare), but take the time to consider how your product is different before you get too invested in something that will get lost in the noise.
Word-of-Mouth: 10 Ways to Stand Out in a Crowded Industry [Inc]
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