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Diffrent.. outstanding… 9 tips to make it happen!

May 26
Posted by DaveOlson in Personal Development
Being diffrent isn’t really that hard!

While standing out in the crowd isn’t the easiest thing in the world, making an impact is simpler than you think. As the crowd gets more…uhmm… crowded,  getting the contract, sale or job is not a matter of being the most qualified but being the most remarkable. How do you become remarkable?

Here’s some really easy ideas to make your face and your name more memorable

  1. Buy a gift
    It’s amazing how a thoughtful little gift can make a huge impact. One particular person kept forgetting who I was. I knew they networked with a lot of different people and I was blending into the crowd so the last time I was going to be at an event with him and his wife, I planned ahead to give them a distinctive bottle of icewine from the area we live. I expect to be more easily remembered now.
  2. Open a door
    It used to be somewhat of a common courtesy to hold a door for others. Not so much anymore. Be different and hold a door open. It works in a figurative sense too. When you open a door of opportunity for someone else, you enter the realm of remarkable people.
  3. Try a genuine compliment
    Flattery is a turn-off. Genuine compliments are not that difficult. Of course you need to start looking at the bright side of your life.
  4. Put away someone’s cart
    I was at Costco this morning and it happened as I was unloading my cart, I noticed the couple next to me were almost done as well. I waited a couple of minutes until they were finished and offered to take their cart back with mine. It doesn’t matter if they remember me or not, it just felt good.
  5. Call someone by name
    Want to really impress someone? Remember their name. Write it down; use it in the conversation; draw a mental picture or do whatever it takes. Most people are tired of being unknown. Remarkable people remember them and call them by their names.
  6. Leave a bigger tip
    Any time you get good service leave a good tip. Far too many people are cheap when it comes to rewarding service. An appropriate tip will make you remarkable and often ensure future great service.
  7. Arrive early
    There’s nothing quite as noticeable as being the first to arrive. Whether that’s first to work or first to a meeting, it’s remarkable to be early.
  8. Pay for someone’s lunch
    It’s kinda like a gift. Actually it’s a lot like a gift with the added benefit of getting to know your lunch partner. I don’t often forget the people who pick up the tab. They are big people.
  9. Send a thank you note
    It only takes a moment to say thanks and a few more moments to write it down. Do it! It will set you apart from the crowd.

What makes you remarkable? What do you do to stand out in the crowd? Share your remarkable insights in the comments below!

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  • http://hamelife.com Rory

    This is a fine list, Dave. I am particularly going to work on #5. I think part of the secret is listening when a person says their name – and then, like you say, use it (straight away) write it down, whatever it takes to remember it.

    Oh, and #7… :oops:

  • DaveOlson

    Rory… listening is the key. I found this post this morning that you might like.

  • http://www.imaginif.com.au Megan Bayliss

    What makes me stand out in a crowd? What a great metaphorical question Dave.
    Because I am somewhat short, I have had to perfect my ladder climbing skills. Once I became comfortable with heights and meeting taller people eye to eye, I discovered an ability to look down into the crowd and spot those who were blending in or drowning. Bending down to loan a hand up makes me noticeable and takes the focus of me and onto those who equally have conversation worthy of being heard.

    In short (pun intended), I stand out in a crowd because I give a damn about those who don’t. A smile, a word, recognition of another worthy human being – I merely put into practice the skills of common decency.

  • DaveOlson

    Megan… thanks for stopping in. Welcome to the conversation.

    The thing about common decency is it’s not that common anymore. It’s somewhat remarkable. Good on you! :grin:

  • http://www.selfwisdom.blogspot.com adrian

    It certainly is great to give a gift to someone but even greater to do it without any expectation of wanting to be remembered. Giving a gift is to someone with the hope of wanting to be remembered suggests that the gesture is done with an ulterior motive. While the receipient may not know that, it is not exactly a genuine gesture from the heart of the giver. For the giver, it becomes a gesture of wanting and that is where the problem lies. We are implicitly setting ourselves up for a disappointment if we dont get remembered. I think more importantly, the giving should just be something natural ie something done without any thoughts of receiving in the future. That it is just something we wanted to do for someone to make the person feel glad. The giving, the smile, the warmth and just saying(and meaning it) that ‘I thought you would be happy with this thing I got for you’. Just like your suggestion in helping return the cart for the old couple. A thoughtful gesture but your experience would certainly have been marred if it was done because u wanted to be remembered in name or to be known as a kind soul. So true giving is just simply a gift of happiness with no expectations by the giver other than the joy of giving. Anything other than that is conditional giving. Like a trade – ‘I am doing this because I get this..”. which is currently is the situation in a lot of actions and relationships.
    And for the recipient, on how to say “thank you” can be found at http://www.selfwisdom.blogspot.com

  • DaveOlson

    Adrian…I’m really glad you stopped by. I hope you visit more often and join in on the conversation.

    You make a great point. I didn’t really mean to say that I only gave a gift to be remembered. I gave them a gift because I really appreciate them but I do know that one of the side effects might be that they will remember me. The fact is, I really would like to get to know them better and a gift does provide a good introduction. :smile: