In my previous post, The Road Less Traveled, I told you about the need to differentiate yourself from others. I recommended that you look for less explored paths, less traveled routes. It was a generic reflection post about your personal and professional strategy.
In this post, I add some PRACTICAL IDEAS THAT CAN HELP YOU “LAND” THIS COMMITMENT TO DIFFERENTIATION AND TAKE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED.
- STUDIES: It can be a good way to differentiate yourself from others. For years, studying at the University was a way of choosing a path little traveled. Today it is not like that. Look for a university with a lot of prestige, bet on new careers, and look for that master’s degree that differentiates you and makes you stand out. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
- LANGUAGES: Years ago, speaking English was an element of differentiation. What is known as a key success factor. Today it is no longer like that, today it is a key factor of non-failure, that is, you must speak English in many cases to have a certain job. Therefore, think about new languages that can help you differentiate yourself from others.
- TECHNOLOGY: I am convinced that, in a world as technological and digital as the current one, having good technological knowledge can be an important competitive advantage. Analyze well what you can learn, research Artificial Intelligence, look for tools that give you added value, learn to program or others. Think about how technology can help you take a path less traveled.
- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: go for professional experience that differentiates you. For example, working for a top company or having professional experience abroad can help you differentiate yourself in the job market. Think carefully about what other actions you can take to follow a different career path and separate yourself from the rest of the herd.
- EXCELLENCE: We live in a world of absolute mediocrity. Surely you have many close examples of bad service, of unprofessionalism or of offering bad customer experiences. One of the best ways to be on a road less traveled is by offering excellent service. Commit to doing your job very well, take care of the details, train yourself constantly, and manage your relationship with clients very well. I can assure you that doing great work can make key differences in your professional career. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
- ATTITUDE: Like the previous point, but with the attitude. Bet on differentiating yourself from others with a super positive attitude. In an environment full of negativity, having a great attitude can make a difference. As Winston Churchill said, “Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference.”
Well, now you have 6 ideas to think about how you can differentiate yourself from others and walk on paths less traveled. I hope they are useful to you. And remember the well-known quote of Robert Frost, American poet, “Two roads diverged in a forest, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”