COMFORT IN STANDING OUT
The fear of being different prevents most people from seeking new ways to solve their problems.
-Robert Kiyosaki
Fitting In While Simultaneously Standing Out Is Charisma
Everyone is unique, but not everyone stands out. When you’re short, you stand out for a brief second. I say for a brief second because, realistically, people are so hyper-focused on themselves that they forget about you within seconds.
No matter what room I walk into, I know that people are looking at me because I’m short. Many people get anxious when they hear that statement. Because of my personality, I enjoy being the center of attention, so standing out in a crowd is exciting (this probably has something to do with being 1 of 7 kids and always trying to get a millisecond of attention).
I realized that standing out from the group works in your favor because you already have people’s attention. If you can follow up that attention with charisma or any other exciting characteristic such as humor, wittiness, etc., you can win over the crowd fairly easily.
The trouble is becoming comfortable in that type of situation to let your natural abilities shine. A lot of people have stage fright, and when thrown into the spotlight, they freeze. There is no need to beat yourself up over this but to acknowledge it and slowly start working on it. One way to reach your natural state or the state of flow is to focus on breathing and staying present. Stay out of your mind and in the moment.
Another way to become comfortable standing out is by doing it on purpose. Wear a crazy costume to the supermarket when you go grocery shopping. Or go to the barber and get a hairstyle that you wouldn’t usually get. My dad told me that he would cut his hair whenever he started feeling too comfortable, and I think there is merit to that statement. When you are comfortable, that means you aren’t growing anymore. I always try to be growing since my body can’t—a little short pun for you all.
Finally, a great way of getting comfortable with being the star is to go where stars are born, theeeeeeeatre! Go audition for a play! While you most likely won’t get the part, knowing this will make auditioning easier, you will grow your ability to be in the spotlight — literally.
My favorite activity to practice standing out and most recommended also works on your wittiness. It is suggested in many self-help books as well. Michael Scott does it, and so should you; I’m talking about improv! Not only will you work on so many critical skills to be entertaining in social environments, but you will also meet so many fun and interesting people!
It is a practice that teaches you to say whatever the first thing is that pops into your head. It gets you out of your head and into the present, which is where all good things happen! Go to Google right now and find an improvisation class. It will be the best thing you did in 2021, aside from reading this book.
THE SHORT GUIDE TO 30