Do you know how Sherlock Holmes was born? British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle combined his love of science and literature to write mystery stories and created a fictional detective – Sherlock Holmes. History was made, because Sir Doyle thought differently than others. He fused his interest and skills to give the world a brilliant and memorable detective that appears as authentic and lifelike as you and me. We too can adopt “differentiation” as a mantra and create history.

To many, life provides an opportunity to stand out in a crowd, away from the herd mentality. However, a number of individuals prefer sticking to a ‘followers or flock’ mentality because it provides for a safety net. The caveat, a safety or comfort net does not lead to eminence. We are all unique in our own way, and the trick is to first find an ‘innate or acquired’ talent or skill, and then adopt an ‘uncommon’ approach to make it a profession or avocation to attain inimitable success. But you can explore your talent and gifts, only if you know yourself – your strengths and weaknesses. The way to this is to reflect on your aptitude and seek feedback from a ‘neutral or independent’ voice i.e. your teacher, professor, coach, instructor, or a career strategist. When you discover what you are made for, you may follow it with oodles of zeal and pursuit of unusual methods.

Observe outstanding artists and performers. They are great examples of individuals who developed a skill or talent, which is ‘difficult to replace or scarce to find.’ Scarcity creates value, and makes it worth more than its weight in gold. You can start by getting noticed through a quality, trait, strength, skill, discipline, or involvement in a series of ‘discerning’ activities to court positive attention. Your statement of difference will start right away.

Across different arenas, accomplished individuals do things out of the ordinary, and overshadow their colleagues or predecessors. For them doing well is not enough. They take new paths. They charter their own course by conjuring a ‘visible’ behaviourial, cerebral, physical, discipline or skill set difference. They build on the difference by taking advantage of creativity, innovation, visuals, images, symbols, substance, and style. They do not walk in the moccasins of somebody else, but carve their own niche through novel measures and rejection of the routine.

The ‘master’ of the art of differentiation challenges assumptions and believes everything is possible, even if there is a one percent chance to ignite a fire. He or she adopts continual improvisation and ingenuity in their acts. As monuments of patience, they know Rome was not built in a day, and believe that small steps towards continuous differentiation leads to extraordinary success in time to come. Nothing stirs a person more than recognition of his or her being ‘truly’ different. You can be famous, but being different calls for a penchant for experimentation and an ability to laugh at your mistakes and failures. Remember, the more you experiment for a purpose, the better you will become at the act of mastering differentiation.

Following the herd is another name for mediocrity. You are in your own way unique and different. Know yourself and discover your key to success – differentiation. If you do not like what I pen, reflect on the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s sagacious words, “We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves to be like other people.”

Pushpendra Mehta is a Career Strategist with VCherish Consultancy. He is the author of “Win the Battles of Life & Relationships” and also a “New Age” Marketing, PR & Communications Consultant. Watch this space for his second book that is dedicated to Young Minds.