Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Stop being ordinary!

 

Stop Being Ordinary – Choose to be Extraordinary!



Every now and then we hear about people who are doing extraordinary things. It could be a world leader saving millions of lives, a businessperson revolutionizing an industry, or even the person down the street helping to make life much better for underserved people in the community. When we hear of these extraordinary people, the vast majority of people think, “I could never do that because I’m just an average, ordinary person.”
In reality, we can all be extraordinary. The key is to realize that being extraordinary is a personal choice. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or financially struggling, whether you’re male or female, whether you’re old or young, or whether you fit into any other categories. Anyone can choose to be extraordinary.
Of course, the thought of choosing to be extraordinary can be overwhelming. After all, where do you start? What do you do? Do you write a best-selling book? Star in a movie? Start a business? How in the world can you be extraordinary?
The answer is: You take it one step at a time. The old saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is so true.
Every day, make the choice to be extraordinary at whatever it is you’re planning to do. It’s a daily decision. For example, if you’re a student, you might ask yourself each morning, “What would an extraordinary student contribute today given the subject we’re discussing in class? What kind of questions would an extraordinary student ask instead of asking ordinary ones?”
Or suppose you’re a business professional and you are thinking of launching a new product. Before you take action, ask yourself, “What would an extraordinary business professional or CEO do to launch this product successfully?”
Or let’s say you’re a salesperson and you’re about to go on a sales call. Before you meet with the prospect, ask yourself, “What would an extraordinary salesperson do? What would the very best of the best say to the prospect?”
Take a few minutes each day to think about what an extraordinary person in your situation would do. Then, take that action rather than what you were going to do. Soon, people will look at you and think, “Wow! That person is extraordinary!”

Nothing is Beyond Your Means
Sometimes when you ask that question—“What would an extraordinary person to do?—the answer you come up with is something you feel is beyond your means, whether it be financial, intellectual, physical, or otherwise. In these situations, you need to lift the bar on yourself.
Realize that most people underestimate what they can do—probably even you. The fact is that we are all capable of doing so much more than we think. For example, even if you are not blind, you have probably touched Braille at some point in your life. If you haven’t, go to an elevator and feel those bumps on the keypad. What did you think the first time you touched Braille? You probably thought what every other seeing person thought: “How can anyone read this? It’s just a bunch of bumps!”
But blind people can read those bumps quite well. Do they have different fingers? No. Do they have a different sense of touch? No. They simply developed something within themselves that might seem impossible to you, but it’s really not.
Of course, this example is simple in that it focuses on just one of our senses. In reality, we’re all underutilizing all our senses, as well as our brain and our capabilities. And when you think you can’t do something, you usually don’t even try. That’s why you need to ask yourself, “What would it take to do it?” not “Can I do it?”
Realize that you are more than you think you are. You’re capable of more than what you think you can do. Whatever limitations or challenge you think you have, none of them are keeping you from being extraordinary, so skip them. In other words, if you think you don’t have the money to be the extraordinary person you want to be, skip the money issue, put it to the side. That’s not the real problem anyway. Ask yourself; “What would it take to do this without using money?” By skipping what you perceive as the problem or limitation, you are free to discover what’s really holding you back. Therefore, forget about what you think is the problem. If that issue simply didn’t exist, what would you do to be extraordinary in your life or your business? Once you see what’s really holding you back, you can find a way to get around it or to come up with a better solution.

Choose Your Future
It’s time to raise the bar on yourself and see what you really can do. It’s time to be a better version of yourself—to be extraordinary. So ask yourself, what would it take to be an extraordinary boss … salesperson … engineer … student … doctor … teacher … wife … husband … parent … sibling … friend?
Every day you can do extraordinary things in both your personal and professional life if you just ask yourself the right question. You have the power to elevate your life and the lives of those around you. It’s simply a matter of identifying what an extraordinary person would do, and then doing it. Pretty soon you’ll find yourself being extraordinary. It’s a daily choice. Give it a try now. Ask yourself; “What would an extraordinary (insert your job title) do today?” Then go do it!



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DANIEL BURRUS is considered one of the world’s leading technology forecasters and innovation experts, and is the founder and CEO of Burrus Research, a research and consulting firm that monitors global advancements in technology driven trends to help clients understand how technological, social and business forces are converging to create enormous untapped opportunities. He is the author of six books including The New York Times best seller Flash Foresight.




Alan Russell



  • Flag and HideAbidemi A.
    Abidemi A.
    Banking Professional
    Astonishing post! been an extraordinary require the gift of purpose and those who utilize it really step up an elevator and bumps on the keypad, roles of engagement usually increase the level of attainment.
    2 minutes ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideLisa F.
    Lisa F.
    Experienced Business Development Visionary
    Great message! Reminds me of the book "The Little Engine That Could" When we believe we can be and do something extraordinary- then we are and we will!!!
    26 minutes ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideSenthilkumar D.
    Senthilkumar D.
    Assistant Vice President - Infrastructure
    And the elevator and bumps on the keypad example is nice. I have felt that odd feeling touching those buttons few times but never realized the message in them as I didn't know it before; learnt something new today- thanks again.
    50 minutes ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideSenthilkumar D.
    Senthilkumar D.
    Assistant Vice President - Infrastructure
    Truly inspiring - thanks Daniel.
    55 minutes ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideRaymond L.
    Raymond L.
    engineer at Metso
    This article is very inspiring and give one good suggestion about how to do your own work or how to make it more realizable to make your own dream come true. Everybody has a dream, but not everybody deserve it. Only the one truly believe that he can and simultaneously willing to contribute his time and energy to the way to win can gain the sweet fruit. Good article.
    57 minutes ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideHarleen S.
    Harleen S.
    Student Manager at JRE School Of Management
    Really Inspiring !! Thank you Sir !!
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideSharifah Maryam S.
    Sharifah Maryam S.
    Section Head Compliance Manager at AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad
    Always think to do something extraordinary at work on daily basis.
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideRemco W.
    Remco W.
    Design Engineer at Viola Laboratories
    Wait.. if we're all extraordinary, wouldn't this mean we're all ordinary? After all, nobody is set apart from anyone else..
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideKelly W.
    Kelly W.
    Manager, Business Development at JK Moving Services
    Everyone can be extraordinary - "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..." Thank you for sharing Dan!
    2 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideDebra M.
    Debra M.
    Sales and Logistics Manager, Best Courier, Inc.
    I remember my sister telling me as a child that there is nothing I cannot do if I set my mind to it. Today at 52 I still hold on to that fact. I truly believe that anyone can do anything they set their mind to.
    2 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideChandra R P.
    Chandra R P.
    Real Estate Agent at Rose & Womble Realty Company
    Inspiring post to start your day!!
    2 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideTracy P.
    Tracy P.
    Affiliate Coordinator
    Great idea!!!!!
    3 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideAslam J.
    Aslam J.
    Assistant Manager Finance & Tax at Auriga Chemicals Enterprises
    Off course this is a wonderful & motivational article, since I read it I am feeling more enthusiast & motivated than before, every person has the capabilities to do extraordinary things which he or she thinks can do, look around yourself & you will definitely people who can be set as example. We have the real example of Mr. Bill Gates who proved himself extraordinary by making Windows a success and need of 90% computers of the world. So Motivation lies in oneself which is often overlooked by us while we compare ourselves with others who posed confidence in themselves, so look into yourself & take the first step.
    3 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideCheryl M.
    Cheryl M.
    Documentation Supervisor at Fiserv
    We can all move in this direction if we ask ourselves on a daily basis "How can I take the ordinary to the extraordinary? What thing can I do to make this better?"
    4 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideApurva B.
    Apurva B.
    Content Strategist at College of Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES)
    Thank you for sharing this article!
    4 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideTimur U.
    Timur U.
    dissertant, Baku State University
    Thank you
    4 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideAmber W.
    Amber W.
    Chief Financial Officer at Nashua Community College
    Love that saying "a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step" I need to find that as a poster and hang it in my office!
    5 hours ago
    1 Reply
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
    • Flag and HideRemco Leliveld
      Remco Leliveld
      Sales Engineer bij Recticel
      Hi Amber, I think that an extraordinary person would create such a poster by herself. You'll be surprised what you are capable of by putting your ideas on paper!
      5 hours ago
  • Flag and HideTARIQ A.
    TARIQ A.
    C.E.O at Money Scrabble
    Extraordinary and Amazing! Stop Being Ordinary. Go Through This Motivational Article.
    6 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideNoleen T.
    Noleen T.
    Changing the world, one day at a time!
    Everyone has the opportunity to be great and can achieve greatness. The key is to be consistent in your actions!
    6 hours ago
    Cheryl M.
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
  • Flag and HideSteven G.
    Steven G.
    Owner-CEO. at Dragon777 INC.
    Treat everyone you meet as if you have secret information & that they are about to become extremely rich”. "Never ever ever give up. ,!! And always know when to walk away.......
    8 hours ago
    Alan Russell
    
    
    
    
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