What’s Your 0.5%?
Consider that every human on the planet shares the same 99.5% of the human DNA sequence. That makes that last 0.5% an exceptionally potent bit—making each of us spectacularly unique. It seems ridiculous that we would attempt to conform to someone else’s ideal of who we should be when so little of our make-up has evolved each of us to be special… to be Unique.
Unique is one of my most favorite words. I like the way it sounds. To me, this word is an onomatopoeia: the formation of a word by imitating the sound associated with its reference. (Just be sure not to put the accent on the first syllable otherwise we have an entirely different Musing. 😉 )
I am also fascinated by it’s definition.
Unique: adjective. Existing as the only one or as the sole example. Having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.
I LOVE THIS
Incomparable: Not comparable; incapable of being compared to another.
There is no argument as to whether we are Unique or not. Even in twins fingerprint patterns are not identical.
Don’t waste your breath on who the outside world wants you to be or who you’ve been programmed to believe you should be. Spend your valuable time discovering who you are, what lies in that 0.5% of you, and how does that fit with who you want to be. Discover new heights that you can achieve in things you’ve already accomplished and dare to enjoy the thrill that comes from applying all that you are to something new in life you’ve never attempted before.
What does your distinct 0.5% look like? And, what are you doing to amplify and squeeze the most out of your glorious 0.5% of Unique You?
I’d have to say that I am relatively mixed in terms of interests, talents, and skills. I’m not sure that any of them necessarily make me unique. I will say; however, that I am stubborn, absurdly dedicated to my work, and loyal to a fault. Case in point regarding the stubborn: my boss asked me to go home the other day because she knew I wasn’t feeling well (not contagiously ill, just not well). A smile was on my face, but she felt that the circles under my eyes gave me away. I stayed at work. I will always elect… Read more »
I think my 0.5% is the ability to make and keep friends. The one thing people always say to me is that I’m really good at keeping in touch, which definitely ties into my love of travel. Since many of my friends are scattered around I always have great excuses to revisit destinations or try something new. I really feel strongly that if I made the effort to be friends with you when we lived in the same area, I’ll still make the effort to be friends with you if you move away.
I feel like I have spent most of my life keeping my Unique Self in the shadows, behind a veil. Only offering a peek to a select few people in my life. I think I have a pretty good idea of what is in that “Unique” Creative Essence of mine, but not entirely sure. I have been consciously working at peeling off the layers over the last few years. I have released shame, I have released fear and I have released countless misunderstandings and limiting beliefs I have been holding on to (about myself, about life). Apparently, I have a… Read more »
Ooooohhhh I love the last part about discovering you actually are a bit of a rebel. How fun! That is exactly what we’re talking about… being YOU! Love it!!!!
I think that 0.5% is in my patience for children and my creativity. I am in the process of getting my teaching credential in regular education and would also like to become credentialed in special education as well. I spent nearly two months last year working with students who were moderately to severely disabled and it was the most rewarding job I have ever had. These kids have a completely different way of looking at the world and it takes patience and creativity to help them grow that 1% each day because some days, they make huge strides and others… Read more »
Haha I loved this post. Teachers have a “unique” responsibility in this world. Your students are lucky to have you. Your last comment cracked me up. I wish I could help you with the math part but I’ve never understood how numbers and letters can actually mean something. I wish I got Math. Oh well… I guess as long as I can count to 8 I’m good. ???
I love this. Too much of time is spent comparing ourselves to others and wasted on jealousy and self doubt. I think my unique thing is that I’m happiest seeing others succeeding. I’m good at recognising gifts and skills and I hope I’m good at encouraging people to see their 0.5% and giving them opportunities to use it. I love creating community and family.
That is so nice to hear. I love it when someone is truly excited and happy for someone else’s successes instead of measuring them against their own. You’ve got a wonderful and healthy 0.5% Uniqueness.
I think that my 0.5% is my thoughtfulness for other people. I love to go out of my way to help people. I love to surprise people with random gifts, texts or notes. I love making other people happy. I love this musing because in the environment that I am in, I an unique in almost everything, from hobbies, and interests to even heritage. Sometimes people feel left out being different, but I love that I am learning to love my uniqueness. So, Thank You Miss Val! I hope that by embracing my uniqueness, I am able to use my… Read more »
At 211 degrees water boils. And boiling water is pretty handy. It can do a lot… like cook an egg… or be very dangerous if it spills on you. But bring it up just one degree and at 212 water becomes steam where it’s philosophy of use changes immensely. Because as steam, water can move a locomotive and power machines that in turn power industries. All of a sudden, with just one more degree of change water becomes much more useful and a lot more valuable. We all have that one degree of change within us. I’m an exercise Bootcamp… Read more »
Thanks for the reminder of one of my favorite books- 212 degrees. That is fantastic that part of your 0.50% is being able to change habits in your clients lives. That is the ultimate definition of any coach: to figure out how to help motivate change in someone so they’ll reach their potential.
As I was reading your current Musing a quote came to mind….”Comparison is a thief of joy”. It’s so true! How much happier would we all be if we could stop comparing ourselves to others. I myself have been guilty of it many times. I believe my 0.5% is my desire to understand why people behave the way they do. It’s a quality I learned from my mom and recognized in you, Miss Val, when I first came to UCLA. When you understand someone’s story and where they come from, it removes judgement and allows forgiveness. It helped me move… Read more »
YES LENA! Fabulous choice and very lucky future clients!
Hi Lena, I love your answer. I actually thought about what you said that we compare ourselves to others and thought… do you think we do the comparing our do you think the world has caused us to compare each other? I mean, I think we all know what makes us individual people by our inner likes, dislikes, dreams , ideas, etc. even if we don’t take the time to personally think about it. We know our .5% but I believe many of us are worried, afraid or scared to show it to the outside world. Will I fit in?… Read more »
Let’s start the 0.5% club! I like that~~~~~~~~
Hi Pam! I have no doubt that our society sets us up for comparison. All we have to do is look at our social media feed. In just a few minutes it will have you believe that somehow others are leading much happier and more exciting lives than you. That is not the reality, of course, but still it breeds insecurity and self doubt. We begin to feel like we have to keep up with this unattainable image. It takes work to see through the onslaught of nonsense. I like to think of comparison as a disease. It helps me… Read more »
I feel like part of my .05% is that i can read people pretty well and see what their talents are and how they “work” as a person. For example some people are full of ideas but can’t necessary see them through while others are real task completers but need others to come up with the ideas. I also feel like even though I’m much more outwardly “left brained” and analytical I’ve found that if I’m not doing something expressive or creative I’m incredibly stifled. If I’m not playing oboe I’m sewing or knitting. I would love to take dance… Read more »
I do believe we all have creative talents inside of us. They may all look different but they produce the same uphoria that comes from crafting something unique.
I was so inspired by all of the conversations that were started amongst so many of us last week that I thought I’d be the first to respond this week. My 0.5% that makes me Unique – 2 things immediately come to mind. One is I feel I’m extremely empathetic. I remind myself all the time to take a moment and give someone else the benefit of the doubt before I assume I know what’s going on with them, or get ticked off or annoyed. The other thing that came to mind is I feel I’m blessed with an artistic… Read more »