"Todos sabemos que la singularidad - la originalidad - es valiosa. Todos aprendemos a "ser uno mismo". Lo que realmente te estoy pidiendo es que aceptes y seas realista acerca de cuánta energía se necesita para mantener esa singularidad. El mundo quiere que"

Being unique—standing out from the crowd—is something we all hear about. It’s a big deal. Everyone tells you to "be yourself," right? But here's the catch: maintaining that originality? It's hard work. Really hard. The world often prefers you to fit in, to be like everyone else. Staying true to who you are requires a lot of energy and effort.

Think about high school for a moment. There's always that one kid who's a bit different. Maybe they dress in wild colors or have a quirky hobby. They're often the target for jokes or gossip. That’s the world nudging them to fit in, to be "typical." And it’s not just in high school—it happens everywhere, all the time.

Take Steve Jobs, for example. He was famously fired from Apple, the company he co-founded, because his ideas were so different and aggressive that they clashed with the board’s vision. It took a lot of energy for him to stay true to his vision. He spent years in the wilderness, so to speak, working on other projects until Apple brought him back. And when he returned, it was his distinctive vision that turned Apple into the tech giant it is today. But imagine the energy, the resilience it took for him to stick to his guns during those tough years. It's a perfect example of how challenging and yet rewarding it can be to maintain your distinctiveness.

So, how do you apply this idea to your own life? Start small. Pick one thing that makes you unique and stick with it. Maybe it’s your sense of style, a hobby you love, or your perspective on a particular subject. Embrace it fully. Expect some pushback—that’s just part of the deal. Remember, it's not about being different for the sake of being different. It's about being true to yourself, even when it's tough. It’s the energy and effort you put into maintaining your true self that makes you stand out.

Imagine you love painting, but everyone around you thinks it's a waste of time. They nudge you, often subtly, to spend your time on something more "practical." It's easy to give in, to let your paints collect dust in the closet. But if painting is what makes you feel alive, if it’s what makes you, well, you, then it’s worth the energy to keep at it. Maybe you carve out just 30 minutes a day to paint. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s an act of defiance against being typical. It’s you, conserving your energy and directing it toward what makes you distinct.

In the end, the world may not always appreciate your uniqueness at first. It might try to nudge you back to the middle. But the energy you invest in maintaining your distinctiveness can lead to extraordinary outcomes. So, keep at it. Be ready for the challenges. And remember, it’s this very struggle that keeps you true to yourself and, ultimately, makes you valuable to the world.

So next time you’re at a crossroads, think about what makes you unique. Embrace it. Cherish it. And be realistic about the energy it takes. Because in the end, it’s worth every ounce of effort to be who you truly are.