"IF YOU DON'T HAVE A POINT OF VIEW, YOU ARE POINTLESS."
Jay-Z famously said he has 99 problems, but he understands what those problems are (and, crudely, what they aren't).
What do you call a broken pencil?
Pointless…
The same can be said of you if you don't have a point (of view).
Your point of view is your difference.
Let's be honest, there are 1,000's of people doing what you do, talking about what you talk about, trying to be in the same space you are in.
(It's a hard pill to swallow)
So how do you survive this kind of over-saturation? How do you become the choice among the options?
Here's a suggestion: own your point of view.
Having a point of view - a strong one - about specific aspects of what you do will cause you to stand out.
When nuance finds its way into the market, people notice.
Contrary opinions
Concepts that are against the grain
Unconventional ideas
Nuanced treatment of old truths
Deeper levels of observation
Substance where there was only fluff
Create your own category
There's a quote that has stuck with me since 1995.
It comes from the movie Braveheart and is given as a warning about sticking your neck out.
The 15th Earl of Bruce cautions his son:
"UNCOMPROMISING PEOPLE ARE EASY TO FOLLOW."
His point: compromise is “the thing that makes [people] noble.”
I'm not advocating living a life of zero compromises.
I am advocating a life that doesn't compromise what makes you unique and different and needed and effective and impacting.
Believe in something, put it out there: have a point of view, and build your brand on it.
Compromise is for picking pizza toppings when you're sharing with someone you love.
The sooner you discover your point of view, perspective, and take on what you do, the sooner people will follow you there.
I'm considering hosting a short, interactive workshop to help you answer the question: what do I want to be known for?
The power of this answer shapes everything you do, everything you talk about, create, participate in, advocate, build, sell, and endorse.
In short, this answer is the foundation of your brand.