Yesterday, I had a good conversation with my new friend Erik, an expert in sonic branding. We got into the nuances of being "different" versus being "distinctive".

So often, people ask: "What makes you different?"

But here’s the problem with that question: it forces you into a mindset of comparison. It’s about measuring yourself against others—and we all know how draining and unproductive the comparison game can be.

A better question to ask yourself is: "What makes me distinctive?"

This shifts the focus inward. What intrinsic value do you bring to the table that’s uniquely yours? What’s that one-of-a-kind blend of skills, traits, or quirks that you possess? What’s the specific problem you’re perfectly suited to solve?

When you focus on being distinctive, you stop worrying about the competition and start serving the people who need you most. Ironically, the more you lean into your distinctiveness, the more you naturally stand out—and yes, you’ll end up being different, but in a way that actually matters.

So, embrace the weird, the unexpected, the one-of-a-kind mold only you can fit. That’s where the magic happens.