How to Stand Out Without Changing Who You Are

How to Stand Out Without Changing Who You Are - Photo by Patrik Michalicka on Unsplash

Everyone wants to be someone people love to be around, someone who inspires others. When you inspire, when you have something special about you, people notice. You become the Purple Cow in a field of black and white cows—simple as that. That’s exactly what you should aim for: to stand out, to be memorable.

But how do you do that? What’s your branding? What makes you unique? In which area are you good, and how can you show it?

For me, it’s shirts. I always wear shirts in similar colors. If you watch my videos—there are almost a thousand—you’ll see I’m often dressed the same way. It’s not just about clothes, though. Some people wear wooden glasses or a wooden bow tie. You could wear a bow tie, or maybe you like ties, like I do. I often wear a tie because it matters to me.

You can also create your own style through language. Develop a way of speaking that’s yours. Maybe you have certain words or catchphrases you repeat. These become part of you. People will remember you for them. They’ll say, “Yes, that’s the person who always says that.” You’re not creating a fake version of yourself—just exaggerating your real traits a bit.

How to Stand Out Without Changing Who You Are - Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Ask your friends what makes you unique. Sometimes, others see things you don’t notice. For example, I love saying, “That’s great, that’s great, that’s great.” Now, lots of people say it, but back in 2014, when I worked in Paris, it was my thing. People thought it was a bit odd, but they’d say, “Oh, that’s Pierre, he always says that.” Now, it’s part of my personal brand, and I still enjoy saying it.

The point is, these little things—your style, your words, your habits—make you memorable. They help you stand out, just like the Purple Cow.

“Don’t be afraid to be unique. It’s like being afraid of your best self.”
— Donald Trump

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
— Coco Chanel

Key Takeaways

• Find what makes you different—your style, your words, your habits.
• Ask friends what they notice about you.
• Don’t fake it; just exaggerate your real traits a bit.
• Be the Purple Cow in the field.

How to Stand Out Without Changing Who You Are - Photo by Tim Bogdanov on Unsplash

Action Steps

• Pick one thing that makes you stand out and use it more.
• Try a new catchphrase or style and see how people react.
• Ask someone close to you what they think is unique about you.

Reflection

• What’s the one thing people always remember about me?
• How can I make my uniqueness even more visible?