Don’t write to be remarkable. Don’t sing, write a song, dance, paint, drive a truck, mow a lawn, run a corporation, run a race, or any other endeavor to be remarkable. Being remarkable should never, ever, ever…never, never, ever be your end game.

OK…have I made myself clear on that point? Good. Then, I can move on…

Whatever you’re doing for a living or for a cause or for another person should be something you’re willing and able to do well. Even if you don’t love it or even like it. And even if you’re planning on moving to something else. Because everything you’re doing is laying groundwork (or building on your current groundwork) for who you are and how you will be perceived.

You won’t be remarkable simply by advertising integrity, honesty, and values. Advertising doesn’t bestow any of them on you or your customers and clients. Instead, try this…when someone asks to borrow your pen, give them one. When someone asks where the nearest diner is, offer to take them there. When someone is counting on your agreed upon deadline, deliver in advance of it.

In my worldview this is called “love your neighbor as yourself”. You may have also heard the saying “do unto others as you would have done unto you”. Same thing. If you wouldn’t like it to happen to you, don’t do it to someone else. And if you’d like to see a business run a certain way, run yours that way…regardless of who else is or isn’t. What you’ll see (and I agree it may take time) is people will begin to tell their friends, family, colleagues, and other business owners what an honest person you are. Telling is remarking. You’ll be remarkable, and all because your focus wasn’t on how to be remarkable.

Wow…isn’t that remarkable?!

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