Fit In, Stand Out

I've always been a tad – for lack of a better, more appropriate word – kiasu when it comes to wanting things. Not in the materialistic sense, of course. In fact, it isn't really kiasu-ism cos it's the kind that only rears its head when I've got options to choose from.

Options – that's my problem.

They're a luxury for some, I guess. But in my case, I know that I don't really handle them well. You see, I don't like making choices. Choices confuse me. The whole decision-making process stresses me out. They send my mind in a downward spiral and cause my neurons to start firing blindly. They cause massive headaches and sleepless nights. I mean, why should I settle with just one? Why ONE!? Why can't I have both? Huh? Huh!? If I'm going to have it, I might as well have it all, right? RIGHT!? Aargh! So difficult! =(

So here's how I got to thinking about
this whole having-options thingy.

I was in the midst of some random mind-wondering (that's what you do when you have work but don't really want to tackle it just yet OR when you don't have work and are pretending to be busy doing something really important) when I started thinking about how I wanted to position myself in 2008. Like, how I wanted my personal branding strategy to be like. (Pfft.)


Didn't you know? Big-shot personalities and celebrities are now brand names. Sharapova is currently world No.5 (only) but she's the one raking in the mega bucks in women's tennis. Make every shot a power shot is definitely paying off for her. It's all about personality branding, my friends.

Now, where was I?

Oh yes. My strategy.

Well, I hit a blank wall. A dead end.
I came to a halt. An abrupt stop. A standstill.

Darn it, my goal was so oxymoronic that I wonder
if achieving it is even humanly possible!

Why?

Cos I wanted to fit in but stand out.

Fit In, Stand Out, yo!!!

How the heck will I ever manage that?
See lah! Kiasu summore lah! Haih.

And then I realised, that's a lot like being a relevant Christian in today's world. It's becoming increasingly difficult to stay relevant (Read: REAL), in tune with the happenings around the world and updated with the latest trends, without having to compromise and give in to the gentle and highly-inviting tugs of Temptation. Temptations that, if given into, will eventually lure us into embracing a life of sin.

It's tough fitting in and standing out.

But many are able, right? VERY able, in fact! Trust me, I've seen them. I KNOW them. So, why should I be any different?

In the world but not of the world, yeh?




I can do it.