1. Identify your weaknesses
You’re not perfect. No one is. Maybe you struggle with procrastination, maybe you have a hard time waking up early, or maybe you suck at time management. In one way or another, you have some shortcomings as a human, and that’s fine.
What is not fine is failing to recognize and identify them. Smart, remarkable people know who they are because they understand their strengths and their weaknesses. They know in order to become exceptional, they need to be true to themselves and do the things that make them uncomfortable. So, they struggle daily to replace their bad habits with good ones.
2. Wage a war on yourself
When you identify your weaknesses, you might find a number of problems in your life. They can be anything from laziness to waking up late to extravagant spending to gambling. However, can you face these problems on the battlefield? If you want to become a better you, you have to change your life.
In order to change your life you must revolt against your old habits—break the bad ones, and instill the good ones—with consistent practice, discipline, and commitment.
For example, when Eleanor Roosevelt became First Lady of the United States in 1933, she was scared to speak publicly at first. However, realizing that there was no other way, she learned to do it, challenging us to fight our insecurities and “do the things we can’t do.
3. Position yourself on the foundation of honesty
People won’t just wake up one day and start respecting you, seeing you as a unique person, and responding to your queries with excitement and regard. You’ll have to earn their trust first. You’ll have to portray yourself as a person of integrity. You’ll have to respect them, do good to them, and help them succeed.
To achieve all of that, you have to be willing to make sacrifices because, as my friend once told me, “life is like a business. Your personality is your brand, and you need to make a good impression out of it, just like a manager hands over a professional, impressive business card at a business meeting.”
When you give a good first impression and reveal your integrity and honesty over time, you don’t even have to inquire about anything. People will grant your request without your even asking. Why? Because you’ve already earned their trust.
4. Do the things that scare you
You want to start a business, win that job, or beat that bulging belly once and for all, but you simply don’t have the energy to do it. You try, yes, starting and working at it for days or weeks. Then your motivation shrinks. You lack the courage and confidence to pursue your goals, because you’re scared.
“Starting a business is risky,” a voice may echo deep inside your mind. “What if I fail?” “That digital marketing position is damn competitive,” another voice shouts from within. “I won’t waste my time applying. I’m not good enough.”
On the surface, these excuses might seem logical, but in reality, they are mere hallucinations; tales narrated by your vulnerable soul.
The Bezos and the Beckhams hear these words just like anyone else. However, they brush them away as fairy tales, moving on and doing the work that matters, getting the trophies and accolades they deserve.
5. Embrace the art of giving
One of the secrets of becoming remarkable and earning credibility is the art of giving. Giving something, whether material (like money or gifts) or immaterial (like assistance or information) has a symbolic meaning. Giving depicts love, depicts caring and depicts friendliness.
The good news is, anyone can cultivate this simple art. You can be a student and give your all to your teachers. You can be a startup founder and give massive value to your consumers. You can be a junior employee at a small company and go all out for your employer.
When you give your all to your people, they’ll recognize you, reciprocate the gesture, and give you the special attention you deserve. Why? Because giving begets respect.
After you have followed these steps, try to request something from your friend, boss, or teacher—I don’t mean extra marks or special favors here—and see what they’ll do for you with passion, love, and excitement.
