Have you ever wished to be truly remarkable? You know, the type of remarkable that turns heads and gets people’s attention? Remarkable people are those who will be remembered long after they are gone. Think Martin Luther King, think Stephen Covey. Even the living can be outstanding remarkable personalities.
But to be remarkable we have to be different. And those differences start with your actions. Small steps can eventually lead you to become a remarkable person, even if you don’t believe so yourself.
Contrary to what we think, not just the famous people are remarkable. In fact many people walk quietly amongst us doing remarkable things for mankind.
- The blood donor who helps to save lives
- The aid worker who volunteers in famished countries
- The countless researchers who help us to understand the ways of the world and what is contained within.
- The young kid who helps his elderly neighbor with the shopping
- Bloggers who share their knowledge tirelessly with others
- People who give from their heart
- Happy souls
- The fireman who digs through the rubble
- Life guards
- People who inspire us to be better
Being remarkable stems from taking a stance, a non conformist’s outlook on life.
Remarkable people have made a decision to embrace life. They practice what they preach and they appreciate what they have.
- Remarkable people are grateful people!
To become remarkable you will need to be different than the masses of people around you. Those who get up with a bad mood and go to bed with the same.
Become the person you want to be
It all starts with taking pro-active action and stop making excuses. In case you don’t know yet, nobody is interested in hearing you had a bad day. Most of us are so absorbed in the everyday actions of our life that negativity acts like a buffer.
We are naturally attracted to positive people. Success is like a magnet we all want to be associated with. If you look at the people you are drawn to in your life, it is the people who make us feel good, not the nay-sayers and the bullies.
Be responsible for your actions
Making mistakes is all part of the growth process. Never be afraid to admit your mistakes. People will actually respect you more for it than if you tried to wriggle your way out of a tight situation.
- Is your glass half full or half empty?
Look at the way you perceive things around you. If you constantly see the negatives in every situation, it’s high time your checked in for a brainwash - the positive kind of course.
Don’t be a conformist
Just because things have been done a certain way for ages doesn’t mean it’s the correct way. Sometimes it helps change rotten systems to breathe some fresh air into them. Think outside the box and look for fresh answers, rather than the obvious.
We have enough people acting like sheep around us who say baa… baa… to everything that is being presented to them.
Remarkable people find their own ways, that is what makes them remarkable.
Live your passion
I think if there were three nouns by which I had to describe remarkable, it would be the following:
- passion - happiness - health
If you are not happy and passionate about what you do, why do it? Instead of saying; ‘well, I have to’, say ‘I am going to change this situation’ - this is your time to be remarkable. Grab the opportunity.
Live it up
Remarkable people live a life of plenty. You know why? Because they embrace life and they just know that the universe will provide what they need.
- Trust the universe!
If you think I’m talking in riddles, I advise you to look up the laws of the universe. Trust me, they are real!
Remarkable people are the best they can be at every moment of their lives. Their positive mind set allows them to push through their own limitations, depression, setbacks and failures.
- Their secret is to keep going despite massive adversities.
Are you remarkable?
If so, tell me why! I’d love to get a huge collection from all of you and your reasons why and where you see yourself to be a remarkable person. This is your moment to shine - and please, don’t practice false modesty.
- Be remarkable and show us how we can be too!
Monika
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS Feed. Thanks for visiting! And please feel free to comment. Top commenter's will go into my weekly Link Love Pot
A very different article from the usual topics on freelance writing, and I like this very much. My fave?
Just because things have been done a certain way for ages doesn’t mean it’s the correct way.
Most friends around me know me as pretty much anti-thesis. And I have learnt from the many great people, both living and dead, that one truly improves when they are able to put old systems to the test and change it for the better. You are spot on with this.
May I add on a little? Be mentally prepared to make enemies while pushing for higher grounds. We can’t help it, that non-conformists like myself do not fit into the general hype. Non-conformists will always be seen as a threat to some companies and groupies’ lifestyle. I am definitely facing that, and it takes alot of perseverance to stay true to ethics and principles.
But of course, I am nowhere near remarkable now. Hahaha…!
@ Ed: I bet you are in some ways remarkable. But what you said though it very important and I appreciate you mentioned this.
I totally agree. When we stand out as being different we face a lot more opposition. It’s like a fish that swims upstream (I know salmon do this occasionally) but I mean in the general sense of non conforming every time we are asked to follow a system or do something.
Being different takes guts for sure.
Monika,
Of course you are remarkable! All of us are, if we can shine.
I think the key here is, and I’m finding this out more and more each day, is woven throughout your writing here today.
Be what you want to be. Not what someone else tells you to be. Have fun doing it. And to do all of that, do what you love.
I found this the other day, can’t remember where but it was interesting.
In Making a Life, Making a Living, Mark Albion cites a study carried out by Srully Blotnick. The careers of 1,500 business school graduates were tracked from 1969 to 1980 and were split into two groups: group A said they wanted to make money first so they could do what they really wanted later, and group B said they would follow their interests first, regardless of financial considerations. At the end of the study, there were 101 millionaires. All but one came from group B.
So - do what you love.
Thanks for the words today.
-Brett
@ Brett: This study sounds very interesting. I’m a strong believer in doing what you love. It’s the key to happiness.
Money is great since it makes live easier, but if we take money away from the picture, there is nothing else but us. If we are truly happy you can stick us in the middle of anything and we’d still be happy.
I was actually hoping for you to tell me why you are remarkable, since we all are in some ways. Might have confused you in the process.
This post is NOT about me, it’s about you guys if that makes sense.
@Monika,
Hee hee, not at all
I just sort of described myself the way I’d describe others.
Why am I remarkable? Hmm. Sort of like that Marianne Williamson quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
So what does that mean to me, and why am I remarkable? (Putting on my ‘religious hat’ for a minute) the idea goes that God created man - and woman - in his own image, thus each of us has it within us to achieve things we do not think possible - unless we accept that we can achieve them, believe in them.
Then, why am I remarkable? Because, I *can* achieve the impossible, with enough perseverance - and I’ve come to realize that.
Now I’m making up for lost time.
(I love that quote - I use it a lot, but I think that’s okay, as my hope is that someday, someone will read it, take it to heart, and then shift out of their ‘average’ life and do something truly spectacular.)
-Brett
@ Brett: Wow, you wouldn’t believe that I actually have this same quote sitting on my bedside table. No kidding. It was given to me by a fellow yoga student I never met before on a yoga weekend a couple of months ago.
While we were chatting away he mentioned he had a present for me. Then when he handed me the quote his words were “I read this last night before I went to sleep and while I picked it up your name went through my head” so he felt he had to give it to me.
Isn’t this amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us and your powerful remarkable statement.
Monika,
That’s an awesome little spur of the moment gift idea, you know. I think I might pass it on to someone who needs it right now.
-Brett
@ Brett: Yes you should. In fact we all should as it is very powerful and makes the receiver feel like a million dollars.
I think anyone who holds an honest job, doesn’t break the law and is nice to their kids deserves a pat on the back.
That might not sound like much. But it takes a lot of self-discipline and hard work to maintain this kind of lifestyle.
And it’s certainly a lot more than some other people contribute to society.
We might not be Martin Luther King or Mother Theresa. But if it weren’t for the Average Joe, where would society be?
Who would run the stores and businesses? Who would keep the economy going? Who would pay the taxes to run the hospitals and schools and social programs?
So here’s to US…the Average Joes!!
@ Friar: Thanks for your interesting take on average Joes. Although you are correct in what you are saying, don’t you think that we shouldn’t try to justify being average.
I understand that many people might be happy by being just that and if they are, so be it, there is nothing wrong. However, to me striving to be average would mean to sell ourselves short of our potential.
To me being average is not pushing on for our dreams, it’s accepting our often bad reality or fate without fighting for a better reality.
Hi Monika - I wouldn’t say I’m remarkable yet - but I’m working on it. And inspiring posts like this one are really helping me.
I’ve learned a lot from the blogosphere. A big lesson for me this year was doing something you’re passionate about - I wasn’t and I used to think it didn’t matter. I’m glad I’ve discovered this now - rather than even later though. I’m 40 next year and by then I’d really like to say I’m on the right track.
Your point about not being a conformist is also a good one. I get tired of reading articles telling you you need to reduce your expectations, because the average business owner only earns X amount, or the average novelist has to live on cabbage soup. Why should any of us aim to be the average anything?
@ Cath: You are certainly remarkable because you are pushing for a better reality in your life. This alone takes guts and conviction.
I totally agree with you on the average front. Being average isn’t something I would aim for ever in my life. I want to make a difference for other people. I also want to live my life according to my dreams and I consistently push my own reality to make those dreams come true.
This has allowed me to fulfill many of my dreams already and I know that more will follow. I could write books about this stuff, because I feel so passionate about it. I see so many people who sell themselves short all the time. Trouble is, they are not happy.
They complain, winge, moan and do all the things unhappy people tend to do. They drown their fears and sorrows in alcohol or binge eating and then feel bad because they let themselves down in the first place.
It’s a lot to do with our education system. Does it empower us to be the best we can? The answer is NO! It needs to start there, kids need personal development at the earliest possible stage in their life to help them aspire to greater heights. Most kids (and adults mind you) never even know what it means.
…end of rant.
@Monika,
I like this rant, especially the end part, because I’ve been thinking a lot about the education system, and how it brings us down. I’ll be blogging about my thoughts shortly, but here it is in a nutshell.
I watched my youngest children yesterday, as they played at a theme park. There was a very small waterslide, and they did not know to line up behind the other kids. They just knew what they wanted, and went for it.
Of course, the ride attendants were directing them to line up, and being a ‘good parent’, I had to help out.
As I sat watching, I thought a lot to myself. This, the start of a lifetime of waiting in line, following rules.
Sure, some rules are for our protection (like, don’t kill people with guns). But I was also thinking this:
You send your kids to school. Teach them to line up. Not to speak out of turn. Listen to authority. Do things this way, not that way.
And then, you know what? They get jobs in the corporate world, if they are unlucky. And what happens to them?
‘Big kids’ aka the type A adults, the bullies, the go getters, DON’T follow the rules, DON’T line up, wait their turn, listen to authority. The really successful ones realize that they can make their own rules, their own games, and they exceed anything the average person could ever do.
THEY get what they want to get, because they do what they want to do, not what they are expected to do. What the average person does.
What I’ve been doing for 38 years.
Frack that.
I was so angry. As I said, I’ll be writing about this soon. I had a partially completed blog post that was kind of about this, but the tie-in with my experience watching my kids ‘free play’, before the school system crushes their independence.
Frack.
There’s my rant for the day
-Brett
@ Brett: I totally understand you and I look forward to this post of yours. I’m glad somebody thinks along the same lines.
Brett - I understand what you mean. But look at it this way. Those bullying types may get what they want by stepping all over people. But they can’t be truly successful if they behave like that. Whereas we can still be decent people and achieve our dreams.
Cath,
I agree with what you’re saying, believe me. I figure, though, that I’m tired of trying to work with these adult bullies. Time to make my own playground…
-Brett
Thanks Monika. I completely agree with kids needing personal development at a young age. But as you say - many parents don’t even know what it means themselves, never mind teaching it to their kids.
But - I won’t go on. You and I both know what it’s like to have parents who are a pain in the ass. But we can still achieve our dreams despite them.
Hi Monika,
I found your niche article to be very informative. I’m always trying to figure these things out as I am very new to internet marketing. My blog isn’t monetized since I don’t know how to do it right, I don’t do it at all. I do love to post and be interactive. Thanks for all the great tips.
Sonni
@ Sonni: You are welcome. Thank you for showing your face and saying hello, I always appreciate new readers and hope you will find good information to help you.
Monika
This is probably my favourite article of yours. So, so good.
Am I remarkable? I try damn hard to be! We are all an artistic work in progress. One of a kind, full of beauty, magic and potential. So we are all remarkable.
I am remarkable because I love generously, have travelled the world and can see things from many different points of view. I am also interested in other people so I think that makes me a great conversationalist. I take risks, face my fears and have survived and thrived through much tragedy and opposition, yet I laugh often, see the best in people and have many creative and personal talents (I can burp on cue!).
I also think I am remarkable because I am honest and forthright, ask lots of questions, am constantly evolving and try my best to grant others the beingness to live their own way, while I go my own.
Let’s see more people challenging the sheep, heads down mentality that cripples our childhood brilliance and claiming their own remarkability! (that’s probably not a word, but I don’t care)
Kelly
@ Kelly: Oh wow, your statement is so close to mine if I was to write my own.
We even share this personal quality, hehehe….hey, I don’t care whether your word was made up or not, it certainly sounded brilliant and was delivered with the right flavor.
Thank you so much for sharing. I love this stuff, people coming together and creating a special space that will last forever.
Monika-
First time visit-I am a remarkable grandmother It is wonderful to show my grandson life the way I see it and later in life he will take from that what he feels comfortable with and the rest he will say my grandmar did that or said that.I am a remarkable mother admitting my not so clear cut directions but knowing I have always tried and I will continue to try through out this life time.We are all remarkable people in our own right ,as long as we see and agknowledge it for our selves it doesnt matter what the rest think.Love and honesty to ourselves and others.
@ Rosalinda: Welcome, it is lovely to have you here. I loved your statement too. It must be a very special feeling to have a grandson and helping to leave a lasting legacy.
I also loved your last two sentences. Very powerful.
@Monika
I agree. I didn’t mean that we should just strive to be just average.
I guess where I was coming from, was that if we look hard enough, there will always be super-achievers, people who are better than us Average Joes.
Which makes it easy for us to self-criticize and not feel like we’ve accomplished anything worthy, compared to them.
But if we look at ourselves more closely, we’ll probably see that we’ve accomplished more than we think. And we should congratulate ourselves for having done so.
God knows, there are enough “Critics” out there telling us what screw-ups we are. So I’ll take praise any way I can get (even if it’s coming from myself!)
There are so many “Nay-sayers” out there (family, friends, work) who keep telling us how we screw up.
@ Friar: Now I got you, I was wondering whether you meant what I thought you did.
Sorry, probably my muddled brains.
You are so right with what you said about comparing and that is the number one reason why we shouldn’t do it. I think we are all our own worst critiques and that is one of the reasons why I wanted to see you guys claim your remarkability (Kelly’s word)in a public way. It is a very powerful way to empower ourselves.
I praise you and all of you who read this post on what you have achieved so far.
I sincerely believe we can never have enough recognition because of the ways we are raised and schooled. Therefore any opportunity to reflect and feel proud of what we have done and achieved is certainly well deserved.
I am remarkable because I had the ability to find this article. I am making some big moves in my life, solo- style, and having read those words assured me that I am never alone. The Universe is my ultimate guide in this endless adventure we call life. Thanks alot for the read. The world is beautiful once we change our perspective.
@ Jamaal: Thank you and welcome too to my blog. It is nice to have you here. What a lovely statement you made;
“the world is beautiful once we change our perspective”
Indeed it is and I’m happy you found us all. You definitely are not alone.
[...] Fear Stunting Your Growth? The Dirty Little Word That Prevents Success The Remarkable Person Within You Winning Against Odds: 4 Tricks To Defeat [...]
Monika — I like that you mentioned to not conform. Being an anti-conformist is probably the thing I get the most compliments about. I have never been called remarkable by anyone but my father, but I like to think he was right about that.
Also, I very much agree with what you say about embrace life and the universe will provide for your needs. Very true. I’ve tested this theory often… often by accident. Hehe.
@ Amy: Hey, long time no seen. I hope you are well. I’m certain your father was right about you.
You know, often other people see us what we are before we ever do. Especially if we are over critical about ourselves.
Glad the theory works for you too. Experiencing the law of the universe is very powerful. I used to be very cynical about them and put them all down as make believe, but once I actually changed my mind set I proofed myself wrong. Luckily I did.
“False Modesty”?
Me?
I’m the President, Vice-President, and sometimes “chief critic” of my own personal fan club
Seriously.. I love the question “What makes me remarkable”
First, I’m remarkable because I (we) am made in His image.. nuff said on that one
Second.. I’m remarkable because i have “hope”!
It is that fundamental “belief” that tommorow can be better than today..
That I will get another chance..
That I will make a difference..
That I will matter.
It is the faith, the humility, and the wonder, that puts that feeling in my gut that tell’s me it worth holding out for just a little longer..
And it is the belief that there is something Bigger, something Truer, something Totally Surprising out there waiting for “all” of us “remarkable” people
Another thought invoking and “Way Kool” post (with great comments)
Thanks
John
We must “be” before we can “do”…
And we can “do” only to the extent to which we “are”…
And what we “are” depends upon what we “think.”"
@ John: Oh, what a cool comment from you. Everything you said was spot on (at least in my books) and I had to laugh about the creation part.
You mentioned faith and I’m glad you did since we do need faith to achieve. Faith into ourselves and our ability that we can. Faith has moved mountains and saved people from certain dead. Without it we would be an empty shell.
Loved you last statement too. Thanks so much for participating and sharing.
I like your point about ” Don’t be a conformist”. Thinking innovative and dare to change is the key. Most people are not easy to accept changing. Therefore, we must come up with fresh idea to be different.
@ Kelly: Innovation is the key isn’t it. Look at Bill Gates, Diana, Richard Branson, etc. all these living and dead were masters of innovation. That is why they are and were remarkable people going beyond the call of normality.
Hi Monika,
It’s been a little while since I have been here, I have been reading and catching up.Thank you for the link, I just read it! It has been a very busy summer!
I think if there is anything remarkable about me ( and that is a really uncomfortable but good thing to think about) is that I have learned to build good friendships.Walking the world with Like-minded people on the same wave length with the same values and learning what you are all about takes time and energy. I am glad I have taken the time to do that. It has made a big difference in my life.
@ Wendi: Welcome back. It’s nice to see you around. I was actually thinking about you only just yesterday when I saw your comment on another blog.
What you described is indeed remarkable. Forming lasting friendships with people who think like we do creates a special bond and your friends can be very proud that you recognize this. Like you said, it does take time and energy but in the end it is well worth it.
Monika,
This post really made me think. I try to be positive most of the time and it is amazing how things just happen naturally as they should when I am in a good mood, however when things turn slightly sour I have a hard time telling the Negatives to go away. I’m getting better, especially with the help of Wendi, whom I hold near and dear to my heart as a friend!
Keep being positive and I’ll keep trying!
@ Jenny: Those words you said are very special and what a compliment to give Wendi. I know she is a very special woman as I had the fortune to get to know her too.
You know, we all experience negatives, including myself. The difference is that I try not to let those down days affect me. I keep pushing through them just like you and before long the sun is shining again.
Keep doing what you do, it makes you a remarkable person.
And the next time you feel down remember this; you are strong and special, otherwise you would just feel miserable and give up without trying to analyze why you feel that way or keep fighting against the negatives.
It’s realizing that you have a choice to be what you want to be and then taking the necessary steps of change to get there; even if it’s only one step at a time!
@ Ricardo: Yes exactly. That’s what I do. I’m thankful for every single step I take in the right direction and in moments when those steps are backwards, I just keep walking.
Just a quick note that I really like this post and also the discussion in the comments. When you have readers who are this committed, you know you are remarkable!
@ Akemi: Thank you for your lovely words. They mean a lot to me.
[...] thought about it right then, and talked about it with my wife on the way home. I chatted with Monika about it over at her blog too. We had a nice chat about being remarkable, stepping out of the [...]