Sideric

Sorry if this is depressing, but it’s the truth. If one of your project goals is to be truly unique, you will encounter nothing but disappointment. Inevitably someone will have already done what you are attempting to do. Even worse, you will spend countless hours attempting to be unique only to find out that someone else already did it and got there quicker modifying existing solutions. Bummer, huh?

It’s OK. No, really! Stop crying. We will let you in on a little secret. It isn’t just you. No one is unique. You are not a snowflake! Oh, everyone is different, and no one is ever exactly the same; but no one is truly unique. Someone somewhere has your nose. There is somebody with your same sense of style. Someone else may even have your exact thumbprint (statistically, it’s entirely possible if improbable). It is a near certainty that someone else is pursuing identical project goals. There are probably four other groups creating the “Next Great Internet Music Player.” Your “Best Ever Unique Marketing Platform” is probably already being developed by some Indians while you are asleep. This does not even start to consider the infinite superior species out there likely influenced by the same basic motivators. So, it is OK. You are not alone!

Oh God! Are you cutting yourself? That was supposed to be reassuring! Look, just put down that blade and keep listening. Slowly, slowly…there you go.

See, the problem is that every human wants to be successful. They want to make a difference, find a partner, make money, procreate, or whatever other desires drive human kind. Even if they do not know it, everyone wants to fit in somehow. This drives people to the same methods and goals, even if they may never realize it. It is what sociologists refer to as “normative behavior.” That is natural. That is life. What can be different is how you will pursue those goals. Here is our advice: don’t rock the boat. Just talk the captain into giving you the helm. Work within the system to create solutions outside the system.

You are now wondering what we mean.

Take the following for an example: Instead of creating your own blog or CMS platform and reinventing the wheel, just use WordPress. It gets the job done and you can take advantage of countless man-hours already invested by others. We can nearly guarantee that it is better than anything you will write by yourself. If you truly need features it just doesn’t currently possess, use the plugins system to create it yourself.

Instead of focusing on doing everything uniquely, you should be focusing on appearing unique. This isn’t dishonest; it is simply efficient. If you are launching that blog, then focus on developing a consistent and engaging style that is yours. Sure there will be somebody writing an article in that exact style, but you will be consistent with it! Build an identity, build a niche, target a need, but don’t ever think you are being unique. Even if it seems you are being unique, it is likely that you are just the first person receive sufficient attention to be noticed.

You know what? That is OK. This is how great businesses and projects are built. Web search existed before Google came along. Cars were rolling the roads of America before Toyota shot the General dead. MP3 players existed before the iPod. Most successful projects are extensions of existing ideas.

Find a need where a current solution just doesn’t quite fit and make it fit. Develop a writing style that is consistent. Use what exists to make something more. Give other people like you what they want, and you can become successful. Who knows, maybe if you succeed nobody will notice that you aren’t unique. Now wipe your nose, role up the sleeves on that mass produced shirt, and get to work!

Even this blog post is deriviative! Hooray! Success!