Your Character is Showing

I spent time today in many crowds. I was one amongst many and simply went along with the flow. It wasn’t worth the effort to go against the flow or try to stand out. Being yourself means knowing when to exert your energy and when to let it go. Navigating the spaces and moving with the crowd to get to the destination may sound like giving in, or it can be the smart way to get to the finish line.

There are times when playing it as part of the crowd works to your advantage. Let someone else be the one to lead the masses through the process. Let someone else break through the barriers so you and others can get where they need to go. Focus on where you need to go and when you need to get there, and let the person in front of you simply lead the way.

There are times when you want to do anything possible to stand out from the crowd. You want a promotion, a life change, a chance, an option that you currently do not have; these are the times when you do not want to be one amongst many. You want the decisions makers to know what is special about you. You want to stand up, stand out, stand head and shoulders above the rest. You want to be recognized for who you are and what you can accomplish. You want to leave the crowd behind and lead the way to a new future.

So what do you do when you find yourself one amongst many? How do you distinguish yourself as special and unique when you find yourself in the middle of a maddening crowd? You could rob a bank, or develop an attitude. You could dye your hair pink and wear outrageous clothes. You could talk loud and dominate conversations. You could force yourself into the limelight and grab any bit of anyone’s attention. You could be funny and crack jokes, or bring your intellect to the table on every topic. You could flash your money around or be seen with the right people. These are all options we have all seen people do when they want attention. That’s one way to play it.

There is another way to go. You could simply show your sincere character, the best side of yourself that makes you special. You could be the person you are when you are not afraid. You could bring excellence to every matter you tackle, and you can bring joy and kindness to everyone you meet. You could give away your creativity to ignite genius in others, and you could show compassion no matter who you meet or how they treat you. You could be the person who is consistent, brings out the best in others, and gains respect be earning it. This may not be the most exciting or noticeable method. It may not make you feel better today, but long term you will become the go to leader. You will be trusted, respected and admired as someone people want to be around. You will become the person people want to lead the way, no matter the situation or size of the crowd. It’s the quiet way to get things done, to stand out, to get noticed. It’s allowing the excellence of your work to stand for itself. It’s allowing your character to speak loudly while you sit in silence.

So let me ask the question again. What do you do when you find yourself one amongst many? Think before you act because whichever way you go, your character is showing.