Ways to distinguish yourself #182 – Structure yourself to get high-quality help requests
By Rajesh Setty on Sun 09 Sep 2007, 9:30 AM – 3 Comments
If we super-simplify what we do on a daily basis, we can say that we are
1. doing what we want to do or
2. doing what someone else wants us to do or
3. doing what we HAVE to do.
In the first case, it is clear that you are totally in-charge. What kind of activities you engage in depends on you and the self-discipline you have.
In the second case, it really depends on what kinds of requests you are getting. If you are constantly getting requests to perform activities that are considered a “commodity”, that is what your identity will be. Alternatively, if you are constantly getting requests that are of “high value” to the stake holders, you are automatically getting a premium.
Watch the requests that came your way in the last three months.
1. How many of these do you consider “commodity requests”?
2. How many of these do you consider “high value” requests?
3. What percentage of requests (when fulfilled) will take you to a whole new level?
4. What percentage of requests will bring the best out of you?
5. What percentage of requests will extend your personal brand?
6. What percentage of requests are in your area of strengths and will enhance your strengths even further?
You don’t have to answer this to anyone else. The only person who can make a judgement on the quality of requests is you. If you are not happy with the quality of help requests that are coming your way, what can you do in the next three months to change this?
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Note 1: For the other 181 entries in the “Distinguish yourself” series, please visit my Squidoo lens on the same topic
Squidoo Lens: Distinguish yourself
Note 2: My latest manifesto on ChangeThis was published exactly a month ago. Today it is one of the top 100 manifestos. I am overwhelmed by the support for this. Thank you. For those who have read it, I request you to forward the link to others who may benefit from it. Here is the link:
ChangeThis Manifesto: Making the Most of Your Time: Going Beyond To-Do Lists
- The Personal Branding Dilemma
- Ways to distinguish yourself – #51 Work on your “Mile High Factor”
- How do you execute a link exchange?
- “25 Ways to Distinguish Yourself” released at ChangeThis.com
Posted in the Distinguish yourself category.


3 Comments so far, Add Yours
Vikram Rajan on September 15th, 2007
well said.. the more we focus on our unique, specialized expertise.. the happier we will be with our work, the happier our clients will be, and the more they will know WHY and to WHOM to recommend us.
~ Vikram Rajan
PersonalBrandMarketing.com

Dr.Mani on September 18th, 2007
I just read your manifesto, “Making Most of Your Time” and found it VERY interesting. It prompted me to check out more stuff from you – Polipo, this blog, and I’ve put your books on my ‘to buy’ list.
Thank you for sharing your powerful insights, I’ll be frequenting your blog in the future to learn more from your experience.
All success
Dr.Mani
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Kimberly Dawn Wells on September 9th, 2007
Nice work using Squidoo to promote yourself! Make sure to build your “about me” lens at http://www.squidwho.com.
~Kimberly
Squidoo’s Community Organizer