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Oscar Wilde once said, "it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." He was right. People think they will achieve the same success if they imitate the right people. The truth is not so easy. What you need for success is hard work and perseverance-not imitation of others' ideas and processes. If you are an original thinker, then surround yourself with like-minded people.
Originality can be difficult to create when there's a set way of doing something or thinking about something. It's even more complicated if you're a pioneer in your field since you have no one to look to for examples or guidance. The best way to be original in an industry that seems replete with models and processes is to self-reflect on what needs to be done.
When you start a business, consider the following questions:
What does your industry need? How can you provide it and provide more? What kind of company do you want yours to be? How would others describe it? Is it going to involve social responsibility and sustainability? If yes, how will that manifest in your business model? What can set your business apart from others, not just in its offerings but its values?
How will you set yourself apart from the competition? It can be in the product, people, or processes. During your growth stages, take time to look at what others are doing in your industry and copy what is working for them if you are able. Do not forget to change, edit and delete those not applicable to your situation. Analyze why they were successful and once you have understood their formula, add a twist of originality that will make your business unique and different from others.
You cannot create originality without being unique. If a company wants to be successful, it must embody its own personality-its own beliefs and do so with no apologies. If it has to bend the rules, it should do so in its favor. As a company grows, it may be tempted by the ease of simply following examples set by others. But not all those examples may work for your situation or the personality of your business. Remember: You are different from other businesses and need to find what works for you and your people instead of following the path someone else has set.
Commitment
"Never depend on a single income."
-Warren Buffett
College is one of the best times in our lives because we get to start fresh, with no obligations other than what we place upon ourselves. Whether it is a grade, a certain GPA, or a degree that we aspire to earn, college is a time when we are free from the consequences of our actions and have time to pursue our dreams unhindered by the obligations that adulthood brings. As we enter the workforce, reality hits us hard. The world does not hand you what you want. You have to work hard at it. You get out what you put in. No more excuses on why you can't do something; if you want something done right, you must do it yourself.
Originality is not far from commitment. If you are willing to commit to something, you then have the urge to make it work. You will do whatever it takes to make it as good as possible. When you know that your hard work is going into something you believe in, you are more likely to do it well with passion--that translates into originality. A commitment reminds us constantly of what we should be doing and what we need to do for ourselves and others. Be committed to your work, and success will follow.
"Don't be afraid of being human."
Hard work is one of the main pillars of not just success but originality as well. No one becomes successful overnight. Success results from hard work and dedication to what you are doing. The amount of effort you put into something or a project will show not only in your product but in how you go about your daily life towards that product. Be realistic about what you can achieve. True success lies in being honest with yourself: not only with your capabilities but also how much time and effort you can give a project or goal. A penny saved is earned, and so is an hour held. Please make the most out of whatever opportunity comes your way; make it count because that's all we have in this life, opportunities and time to do things worthwhile while we are alive. All you can do is make the most of it.
To be original requires hard work and dedication to what you want to do. Success will follow if you are willing to put forth the effort and time. Make sure that no matter what you are doing, you give 100% of yourself; your best and brightest. If something on your mind or in your heart consumes so much of your time, yet it's not making an impact for good on anyone around you, then it's time to let go. Never allow a distraction to consume too much of your attention; hold yourself accountable, take ownership of these distractions and find ways to get rid of them--the sooner, the better.
It would help if you also hold yourself accountable for your business performance. Be committed to what you are doing and make it a point that you will do it with excellence no matter the sacrifices you must endure. When reflecting on a project or work, ask yourself honestly if you gave 100%. If there's something more that you can provide, then give it. If things didn't go the way that you planned, then take it as an opportunity to learn and improve so that the next time around, things will be better.
Being original is not always easy, but if we are willing to be true to ourselves, we will find ways and means to be authentic and achieve success.
"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
-Albert Einstein
What have you learned?
Have you learned to value your time? Do you take every possible opportunity to maximize the use of your time, or do you sit around and wait for things to happen, hoping that the right opportunity will fall into your lap? Are you proactive or reactive? We all need to ask ourselves these questions and review our answers from time to time. Are we using our time positively, or is it wasted on trivial matters? Do we use our resources at hand wisely, or do we go through the motions, not fully aware of what's ahead?
Do you value your work? Are you willing to work hard for it? Do you realize that not only does your hard work pay off but also your people who are working with you and for you? Do you hold yourself accountable for the products and services that go out of your company? Are there improvements you can make to improve the products or services for everyone involved in the process, from employees to customers? Do you realize that your hard work and efforts relate to how others perceive your company and affect its reputation? Do you communicate what you want clearly to everyone--your employees, contractors, vendors, etc. Do you know what you want and share it so that others can understand?
Conclusion:
I'm sure that if you have spent time on this book, it means that you have something to offer. The world is a prominent place, and for us to get ahead, we need people like you and me who are committed to their work and willing to do what it takes to succeed. If we all did the same thing every day, then the same thing would happen every day, and we'll be stuck in a rut with no progress. We need people who will stretch themselves beyond their limits; those who seek different experiences in life and find ways how they can benefit others by reaching out beyond what they are comfortable with.
Whether it's in your home, your workplace, or your business, you can make a profound impact on the people you meet and the country that you live in. We are all part of a global society, and because of this, we should all learn how to work together. A world in which everyone is committed and passionate about what they do will lead to positive outcomes for all involved.
"It is at our peril to look back and wish we had tried harder or worked harder. The sum of our experience is there for us to use. If we will but see it."
--Caroline Hunter-Foss
