Are you content to be like everyone else and just coast along or are you looking to get on a new trajectory of differentiating yourself so that you can stand out from the rest of the crowd? I wanted to take this opportunity to offer some really helpful insights on how to go about creating such differentiation in yourself. Here are 4 key strategies:

1- Go The Extra Mile

Everyone talks about this but few have the courage and determination to do this. When you go the extra mile, you’ll be more of a “giver” than a “taker” and rewards may not come immediately.

When takers win, there’s usually someone else who loses. In contrast, when givers win, people are rooting for them and supporting them. Givers succeed in a way that creates a ripple effect, enhancing the success of people around them.

2- Ask Yourself What Is Your Value-Add?

What is it about your personality, your qualifications, your knowledge, your experience that is distinct and special? Do you set high standards for yourself and others or are you content with being mediocre? Are you constantly looking to learn while others are content with the status quo? How much time have you invested in your own development as a person and as a professional?

3- Follow the 80:20 Rule

This is the universal rule that you would do well to remember and follow: only 20% of all the things you set out to do will account for 80% of the successful results you will get. 80% of what you do will have no result at all. Do you know what the 20% is in your case?

4- Go Beyond Superficial Learning

Did you know most people are superficial learners? They know a little about a lot of things and are happy to just work at surface level learning. To become a learner who gets insights and has the ability to then use and share that information, you need to drill down into concepts. Take something like Time Management. Who can’t describe the key issue of how time (86,400 seconds in a day) is ticking along and won’t come back? But so what? What can you do with this learning that can make you different? What strategy do you use? This kind of deeper thinking is what creates real differentiation and meaning.

Best wishes for your professional growth.