Be the Best, Be the Only
By Steve Gahagen
One of the greatest values of being trained in strengths is learning to embrace what makes us uniquely us.
Just as DNA provides a blueprint for our physical identity, our strengths reveal a blueprint for our inner identity—our wiring, our natural patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. Knowing this helps us imagine the distinct impact we are meant to have on the world.
Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse and author of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, observed a common sorrow among those nearing the end of life: I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
Strengths discovery helps give us that courage. It provides confidence to live remarkably, to embrace our so-called weirdness—the things that set us apart.
In marketing, they call this the Purple Cow, a term coined by Seth Godin to describe what makes a product or company unforgettable. In a world full of sameness, a purple cow stands out.
So…
What’s your purple cow?
What makes you uniquely memorable?
Consider it this way: when people discuss a plane ride, it’s rarely the smooth, routine flight that gets highlighted. It’s often the delay, the exceptional service, or the talkative seatmate. What stands out isn’t always the destination—it’s the experience.
You might not care about being talked about. But here’s the deeper truth:
You were meant to be memorable—not for attention, but for contribution.
There’s a story only you can write.
There’s a version of this world that only exists if you show up fully as yourself.
Your uniqueness matters—because our lives are intertwined, and others (often unknowingly) are depending on you to live that story.
So be it.
Be bold. Be brilliant. Be the best—and only—version of you.
Questions to Consider:
What might prevent us from living into our uniqueness?
What is your purple cow? What makes you unique?
How can we encourage one another to embrace and live out our uniqueness?