In "The Incredibles," the villain Syndrome has a desire to make everyone "super," because “when everyone’s super, no one is.” Earlier in the film, Helen tells her son that “everyone is special,” and he replies, "that’s just another way of saying no one is." I’ve grown up with this film, as did many of my peers, yet it seems the concept still isn’t grasped.
Being “special” in a general sense means being different than everything, or everyone, else. But based on that concept, everyone is special and, that essentially means that nobody is. If being special means being successful, more talented, or significantly different than others, then being special really is something important and something to note in a person who deserves it.
Bill Gates is special.
Angela Merkel is special.
William Shakespeare was special.
You are not special. And neither am I.
Growing up we are told we are inherently special. We are given trophies and ribbons for participating to make us feel better than we really are. We are taught that we’re special because, well, we showed up. You don’t even have to try, you just have to come and stand on the sidelines and you are showered with empty praise and meaningless plastic. At the end of the day, these experiences didn’t better us, they just inflated our egos. Well, now it’s time to check your ego, amigo. Because you are not special.
We are taught because we possess certain skills and talents, we are special. But individuals are not special because of the natural skills they have; people are significant because they harness the potential they are gifted with. Having a natural ability to sing, or dance, or write, or be a host or hostess, or spin plates, or play the accordion does not make you special. But enhancing that ability through training and practice makes you stronger and better at that talent, setting you apart from others who possess the same natural ability. Talent can only get you so far, there comes a point where hard work is necessary to rise above and succeed.
Hard work comes in several forms, but they all boil down to the idea of practice. It is through practicing your field of interest that you are able to progress. In the book "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell explains the idea of the 10,000-hour-rule for practice. Through the examination of several studies, he explains in order to succeed and become a master in a field, one must have at least 10,000 hours of experience or practice. Those who do not practice or prepare their craft fall behind those that do, even when those that do not practice have an innate natural talent for it. Gladwell states that “Achievement is talent plus preparation,” but preparation plays a much larger role in mastery. Maybe 10,000 hours is not necessary for everything, but it does present a strong point. Honestly, how often are we taught that practice isn’t necessary?
How often do we believe that we can just get by without trying?
Walking into a test you didn’t study for and just hoping to get a C. Rushing to type up an essay and turn it in on time and hoping that the coffee-fueled nonsense showing up on your screen somehow makes sense. Doing the bare minimum at work so you don’t get in trouble and can just go home. Politely nodding during your best friend’s rant to look like you’re listening while you’re really thinking of the night’s plans. Sending half-hearted replies to a loved one via text because you just want to enjoy your Netflix binging and can’t be bothered by their life right then.
It’s not just the big career choices that make us special, it’s the little things too. When we brush off those seemingly insignificant parts of our lives and focus on the big ones, or vice versa, we set ourselves up for mediocrity. Relationships, school, careers, and every other aspect of our lives present the opportunity for us to be what we are misled to believe we are – special. But only when we take the time to focus on them and become better.
Every second of every day is an opportunity for greater experience and practice in some part of life. Gladwell also explains in his book that opportunity is one of the keys to success. While he is referring to opportunity in regards to career opportunities, this holds true in personal opportunities as well. When everything is looked at as a chance to be better, every moment is an opportunity for practice. You don’t stop practicing the second you do something right, you keep trying. You keep looking for ways to be more efficient at work, to perform better in your hobbies, to be more compassionate in conversation. Once you get it right, you have to keep going because once is not enough. My high school speech and debate coach often said “don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Do not get it right once, do it right enough times that it is a part of who you are and how you function. That’s what makes someone special.
So you are not special. You are not better than anyone else because you have certain talents or abilities. You are not successful because you showed up to a Little League game when you were eight and received a trophy and a high five. You are not different because you have interests that may be different than those of others. You are not special until you put yourself out into the world, until you practice whatever it is you want to do, until you give life your all and take advantage of the opportunities before you. Being special doesn’t mean being the best, but it does mean working hard and constantly trying your best.
You are not special, but you are capable of deserving to be.
