Can you be original in a world where everything has been done before? I bet you have heard this question a few times? How many times have you said it yourself? It’s like you have this fantastic idea, a message, a project or product and as you start to chew on it, the “Doubt Maestro” creeps into your thoughts. He tells you that so and so has already said that, built it or sold it? It’s all been said and done before. So, how do you bring out your unique voice?
The concept or belief that there is nothing original and everything has been done before has been leaked into our heads from way before school started. Yet, if we study famous writers and artists, all of them started off by copying, imitating or just plain stealing from those that went before. During the Elizabethan era, stealing words, stories and plays was rife. We know now that Shakespeare stole heavily and blatantly from his contemporary, Christopher Marlowe. However, fifteen years later when he penned Hamlet, “authentic” Shakespeare evolved.
– Originality is simply a pair of fresh eyes – Anon
There is nothing new in this. Many singers begin their careers singing ‘cover’ songs, and with abundant rehearsals and good connections, transform into original talent.
We know that copying, imitating and stealing is the way kids learn. As you experience more, unearth and identify what is your true ‘voice”, the pioneer, the maverick in you is born.
Discovering your unique take on a topic, your version of life, your personal use of vocabulary can be one of the most rewarding journeys you could embark upon. The way you string and swing your words together like nobody else does. The way you walk, stand and sit is all coming from your unique style, your special DNA mix.
-Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it before – Laurence J. Peter.
Think about Jazz music, those incredible improvised solos from John Coltrane or Ella Fitzgerald. Pure bona fide inspiration.
It’s all in the remix. Building on what has gone before and adding your twist of lemon. Your shaken but not stirred style. Your Toque Original.
So, how can you spark ‘original thoughts’?
One. Take yourself out of your comfort zone…yes, be uncomfortable, not suffer… but push yourself into thinking outside of your usual box.
Two. Ask questions. Ask other people and listen carefully to their “version”.
Three. Travel…walk, train, fly. Stroll on the beach, park or mountain track. Take your mind on a journey.
Four. Switch off the routine thinking, ready-made answers. Write or speak out at least 3 versions of a sentence.
Five. Don’t believe the hype, you can be original!
Here is a link to a great Ted Talk about originality by Adam Grant.
https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_the_surprising_habits_of_original_thinkers
Step Up & Stand Out encourages you to find your original voice and, I have some exciting courses to encourage you to open up to your unique voice Click Here for more information. Don’t forget you can chat with me for free,
-The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size – Albert Einstein
Yes, ‘be uncomfortable’! Getting used to being comfortable about the occasional uncomfortable makes life so much more fulfilling.
I can see you are going to get very uncomfortable …soon/often 🙂
I´m glad you brought up this evergreen subject, it made me realize ,… its true, everything was done or said before, but the time, era, the audience or the medium was always different. So my point is, originality not only depends on the performer but the environment, the receivers, capacity to accommodate or to host the originality. To recognize this and to adopt it is crucially important for a successful level of expression and understanding of originality. Your five point suggestions are excellent. Originality thrives only in liberation of thoughts and spirit. Great to be reminded to this. Thank you! Chat about it soon.
Yes, let’s chat 🙂
Once again a brilliant article, Georgia! To be unique is to be yourself – after all there is only ONE (una – the roots of the word unique) of you. After spending 11 years without a TV if I do see the flickering screen on in a pub or café I find the majority of the people displayed, these so called celebrities, seem to merge into one, they all seem to be copying each other without an original thought in their heads! Sad, really.
I love your tip number 4 – switch off. Withe the majority of people most of the thoughts in your mind are not your own thoughts, they are thoughts/beliefs picked up along the way, without being filtered. To speak your truth and to be unique you have to work out who you are first. In my opinion spending some time each day in introspection should be taught as a basic in schools from infant school onward. Then we would all know how to shake off media hype easily and be unique! 🙂
Love what you say Elaine! Speak your truth and be unique! Yes, how can we infiltrate the school system and teach this magic stuff????? We must plot and plan! 🙂
When dwelt on, the subject of originality and words is mind-blowing. Well handled, Georgia. I write too and often wonder if what I have just penned or typed is really original, a copy (I would never knowingly plagiarize – or surprise, surprise – something slightly different which has come from MY mind?! Those 26 innocuous (?) little letters of the alphabet are .surely, miracles, as is the most modest mind! Hurray for that.
Yes, it is mind-blowing….especially when you realise that nothing is original…yet everything you do is!!!!! Thanks Joy 🙂