Differentiate yourself! Have a unique selling proposition! As business people, we’re told that these qualities will help us be successful. However, just how different can you be?

In a world crowded with intense competition, it’s a challenge to stand out. Unless you have a really special product, or a better mousetrap, it isn’t very likely that you’re much different from your competitors. This is true whether your competition is that other company in your industry, or that other person in your office.

If you’re really not that different, how do you stand out?

When you think about differentiating yourself, you likely think of “what” you do or offer, versus “how” you do it. As such, you tend to concern yourself more with narrowing your niche and refining your pitch, than with something that might be more important. In the process, you place too much emphasis on the uniqueness of “things.”

Rare is something or someone so unique that they truly stand out. Yes, there are those exceptions, but in any case, they would not be memorable were it not for a particular factor. That is - a job well done! Think about it - do you buy something, promote someone, or choose a service because it’s unique? No! You buy because you perceive the benefits and then are satisfied when it delivers on its promise. That’s the “difference.”

Being good at what you do, is what can make you different!

Your uniqueness will develop if you make doing things well a top priority. Instead of focusing your energy on your differences, focus on your strengths and the important tasks, and then do them well. This, more than anything, will make you stand out in the minds others. When people recognize you as someone who does a job well, that’s what will make you different!