We’re remarkable or we’re replaceable. – the Wealthy Gardener
Remarkability is standing out by surprise or due to rare quality. It doesn’t take genius. But it does take rare daily mindfulness.
A close friend of mine was promoted step-by-step to his present-day vice president position of a utility company. How did he do it?
“Everybody is always overly busy,” he told me, “but then a boss would have a new task that needed to be done. It’s another responsibility on top of the everyday jobs we already can barely handle. He would ask, ‘Who can do it?’ Everyone would grow quiet. I was always the one who volunteered. And so I just slept less than my colleagues.”
We see that his remarkability (and career advancement) was due to being mindful. He resisted a natural reaction to refuse work. By offering to help, by being part of the solution, he was appreciated and promoted.
Being remarkable is a daily choice.
We are remarkable when we speak with poise instead of frustration; when we’re part of the solution and not part of the problem; when we mind our own business; when we give our concentration only to the things in life we can control; when we take full accountability without excuses; when we obsess over quality; when we use our time with clear intention; when we show appreciation to others; and when we achieve excellence.
“By definition, remarkable things get remarked upon,” said Seth Godin. “Remarkable doesn’t mean remarkable to you. It means remarkable to me. Am I going to make a remark about it? If not, then you’re average.” We are either remarkable, or we are replaceable.
