Chapter 1: The Challenge of Standing Out

In today's world, making an impact with your creations can feel like an uphill battle. The competition is fierce, and you might find yourself feeling like just another small speck in a vast crowd. You strive to produce something innovative and share it, only to receive minimal feedback or engagement, leading to feelings of frustration.

You may contemplate giving up, as the effort put in seems to yield little in return. It can feel like you're endlessly running on a treadmill without any significant progress. To truly make a mark and attain that elusive ‘traction,’ it’s essential to distinguish yourself from others in some meaningful way.

What does that mean?

One important realization is that those who excel often possess what can be termed ‘unfair’ advantages. If this weren’t the case, there wouldn't be such a thing as relative success, nor would we have exciting goals to pursue. This concept of unfairness isn’t about injustice; rather, it’s about adopting a mindset that combines wisdom with intense action to outpace your competition.

This advantage is what will add depth and vibrancy to your little grey dot. So, how can you cultivate this advantage?

Firstly, you should prioritize exertion.

Most individuals function at either an average pace or a retreat mode, characterized by a victim mindset, low energy, and avoidance. To make headway—faster than you might expect—you need to invest your efforts in the right areas and significantly increase your focus on those tasks. Following the crowd will likely leave you stagnant or regressing.

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

— Will Rogers

Exertion is crucial for navigating the daily whirlwind. Your strategy should involve expanding your reach and conquering tasks without distractions. Approach your work with a sense of urgency, but also allow yourself time to recharge. You don’t need to be working non-stop; instead, concentrate your efforts on what truly matters.

Chapter 2: Cultivating Prolific Output

To elevate your game further…

…Create so much that you become impossible to overlook. Focus on your strengths and invest heavily in enhancing your skills and output. Emulate Picasso’s approach—strive for a prolific body of work filled with energy and creativity. Produce with such intensity over time that improvement becomes inevitable.

Generate both quality and quantity in the projects that ignite your passion. Achieving this may require periods of isolation to minimize distractions. Consider disconnecting from the internet and prioritizing your time. Embrace your unique path, even if it diverges from the mainstream. Train and create when others might not—early mornings, weekends, or late nights. Seize every moment, especially during holidays when others are less active.

Be relentless in your focus. Instead of spreading your energy across multiple tasks, ask yourself: What is the ONE thing I must prioritize to ensure success? Simplify your decision-making process to identify that key task consistently.

Make simplicity your guiding principle. Aim to excel in a specific area rather than trying to please everyone. Cultivate a loyal following by exceeding expectations in every endeavor, and strive to surprise your audience within your area of expertise.

Increase your sense of urgency by setting daily and monthly challenges. Compete with yourself or partner with an accountability buddy to make your work more engaging. Establish a daily output that serves as the cornerstone of all your efforts.

In my case, it’s producing an illustrated post daily. The goal is to maintain this routine consistently.

Recognize the compounding benefits of consistent effort—small accomplishments accumulate and can lead to significant results over time.

Foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with a select few individuals who can provide substantial support, rather than merely trying to connect with a large number of people superficially. Create a list of these key individuals and work on building genuine friendships by improving their lives. Remember, collaboration is key.

Seek out those who have achieved what you aspire to and learn from them. Don’t reinvent the wheel; adapt successful strategies to your own context.

Lastly, prioritize your health. An often overlooked unfair advantage is maintaining peak physical condition. Focus on boosting your energy through clean eating, regular exercise, and mental training. Treat yourself as a creative athlete.

The first video, "How to Get Ahead Of Everyone Else (Find Your Unfair Advantage)," explores strategies for identifying and leveraging your unique strengths to gain a competitive edge.

The second video, "Discover Your Unfair Advantage! Talking Productive Business with Hasan Kubba," delves into actionable insights for discovering and utilizing your personal advantages in the business landscape.

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If you found this useful, you might enjoy my complimentary booklet titled “The 12 Habits of Mentally Strong People.” It’s available free for a limited time when you subscribe to my Substack newsletter.