“Be one in a million, not one of a million” may not sound profound, especially if you are an English as a second or a foreign language speaker. Despite the subtle nuance, both have different meanings and we can learn to be aware of the significance by making a mental comparison. Which one are you? One “in” a million or “of” a million?
“One in a million” literally means being a special one among a million, while “one of a million” simply translates as being an ordinary person among a million. Many of us believe that we are simply a part of the statistics, which means being an ordinary person among a million or even billions. We go to work, go back home, and do it all over again the next day. Routine has become a habit and a habit has defined who we are, more likely.
We oftentimes forget how special and how powerful our mind and heart are, especially when we conscientiously combine them and make them work in alignment. Such synergy can be extremely powerful beyond measure. Yet we might not realize it and overlook many things, just because. Now, what makes us so special, we may ask?
We might think that there are so many people like us. For instance, there are so many people all over the world who receive similar trainings and were brought up in similar environments. There are so many things around us that cloud our own reflection in the mirror without being distracted and seeing a compromised version.
We admit that we often forget how we were born as special beings. I am not going to repeat things we have known, but let us ponder upon the elements around us that frequently creating a veil over our feelings of being special. Being created, designed, and born one of a kind.
In certain cultures, acknowledging how special we are is oftentimes considered pompous and arrogant. There is, on the other hand, a thin line between being “confident” and being “arrogant.” In most Asian countries, it is always preferred to keep a low-key profile and not to outshine others. There is an Indonesian adage that says, “The higher you have become, the more you need to bow down.”
Sure, it makes a lot of sense because there is no doubt humility will go a long way, even in this highly wired modern world. Still, many people misunderstood it as “lowering ourselves as low as others or lower than others, so we do not threaten other people by being ourselves.” That is a total misconception.
The fine line between being “confident” and being “arrogant” is an awareness of self and how one relates to the environment. A confident person accepts accolades with grace, strives to better themselves and their surroundings with dignified efforts. They do not take things, either tangible or intangible, from others. They know where they stand and how to get where they are heading in life. An arrogant person behaves differently: they do not accept things with grace, even take things that do not belong to them, and tend to belittle others in order to elevate themselves.
One thing that we should not forget as special beings is that we are all born with multiple intelligences. According to Howard Gardner, there are at least eleven types of intelligence:
- Linguistic intelligence
- Logical-mathematical intelligence
- Spatial intelligence
- Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
- Musical intelligence
- Naturalistic intelligence
- Interpersonal intelligence
- Intrapersonal intelligence
- Spiritual intelligence
- Existential intelligence
- Moral intelligence
What we need to be aware here is that everybody has a concoction of special intelligences. We all have our strong and weak traits. Simply do not focus on what you do not have, but instead hone whatever you have at hand. I personally prefer, however, focusing on what I can do best because that is my “niche” in the world. Whatever is easy for me might not be that easy for other people, which is awesome.
At last, let us all be aware of how special we are. Because, after all, we are one in a million, not one of a million. Let us be special persons with a lot of grace. Let us be confident and accept our strengths and weaknesses that make us superstars in our niche. We are all born special, so let us live as special individuals. Unabashedly, yet with a lot of humility.
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Let me confess, I lack of ’some’ intelligences.
Should I improve my lackness, or I just have to focus on my superiority?
-Thank u-
Jennie,
I rate this post to be your best article ever written! Well, best of the best ;-)
A reminder to everyone who likes to belittle others in intention to elevate himself/herself: that won’t work! You can’t push people down unless you go down with them. Raise people. You’ll go up with them!
On “Padi Principle”:
It’s good to follow. But when it comes to you this feeling “hey…I can do more than that..!” then it’s the time to stand upright, walk straight,do whatever you want to do and tell the world about it.
Mbak Jenny,
Would you mind explain those eleven ? hehehe… kamsia…
It’s really inspiring.
From now on, I’ve decided to “one in a million”.
I will focus on my strenght. I’ve also decided to be happy on my “niche” and try to be the best.
best regards
faif
Thanks Indra, for your compliment. It’s good to acknowledge others’ achievements, but we also need to feel good about ourselves without making others feel belittled. Even worse is when we belittle ourselves just to make us “equal” with others.
“Equal” : what a lovely word, Jennie!!!
Many people follow and learn many things from the extra ordinary People. But they forget something. I can tell also that there are many things we can learn from ‘just the ordinary people’ Yes, I do, one thing, “The simpleness”.
Thank you Jenny. For so many years, until recently, I didn’t notice about my niche potentials. I always feel like “hey, i’m a mediocre, anyway”. This piece of yours really empowering me.
Thanks Jennie,
ternyata satu ‘dalam’ sejuta itu ada juga di bahasa inggrisnya secara maknawi :). May i know what do you think if everyone in indonesia think about it and say ‘ i’m the one ‘ ? :) i love this write of you. Thanks.
“Who created death and life that He may try you — which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,” (Al-Qur’an, Al-Mulk 67:2)
[...] Email pagi ini dari Jennie S. Bev sangat inspiratif - make me feel grow up - both mentally & physically. I think you as my blog reader have to read it too. In Asia Bloging. [...]
Jennie
Sangat menarik artikel di atas, kita diciptakan Tuhan sebagai makhluk yang sempurna, oleh karena itu ketika mampu memberikan ilmu, pengalaman dan segala yang anda pada diri kita diberikan kepada orang lain, maka kita merasakan betapa diri kita bermanfaat bagi banyak orang.
Apa yang anda pikirkan, akan menjadi kenyataan. ketika kita berfikir sukses, maka anda akan sukses, ketika berfikir ragu-ragu, berarti menuju kegagalan. ketika berfikir bahwa saya bagian dari orang sukses maka saya termasuk orang sukses. Insya Allah.
saya banyak belajar dari Jennie untuk menuju meraih sukses. Terima kasih
@Pretty, I’d say first of all focus on your strengths. Maximize them. For instance, writing is like breathing to me, so I focus on it and maximize it. I learn all kinds of writing styles, structures, and perspectives. I learn to write externally and internally. You find yours and focus on them. Maximize them.
On your weaknesses, try to find ways to improve them. For instance, I’m not good at sports, but at least I like swimming. So it’s the one sport I’d do. Also, I love watching people to fence (anggar), so one day I’m gonna try it. Forget about the other sports, they won’t work with me. ;)
@Andrid, I’ll try to explain them in another article. Too long to describe here.
@Faif, you go, my brother. Focus on your niche and be one IN a million, not one OF a million.
@Fida, exactly. We’re all one IN a million, we have so many friends to learn from. ;)
@Firman, well, whatever you think you are, you become one. Realizing your one IN a million-ness is the first step to sticking with “success mindset.” Remember, success is not a journey, nor a destination. It is already within you.
@Tikno, if everybody in the world (not only in Indonesia) thinks that “I’m the one,” the world is going to be 80% successful - 20% failure, unlike now which is the other way around.
More success to everybody. Success is yours. Success is us.
@Husin, benar. Menurut Surah At Tin ayat 4 di dalam Al Qur’an, “Sesungguhnya Kami telah ciptakan manusia dalam bentuk yang sebaik-baiknya.” We are already created so special, so very special. We were born special already, but we somehow created our own failures. Now it’s time to “remove” those failures and wear our inborn “success” clothing. I thank you, Husin, for allowing me to also learn from you.
Wow, the timing is right. I am in the process of reading Gardner’s other book, “Five Minds for the Future.” It’s also an interesting book.
@Bang Budi, I’ve ordered that book as well. It should arrive tomorrow. Many people have been asking me about multiple intelligences. I’ll write an article (or book?) about MIs and how they relate to learning styles. :) Thanks.
I am really impressed of this part “Even worse is when we belittle ourselves just to make us “equal” with others”.
Sometimes, because we want to be fully accepted in an environment, we try to avoid impressing arrogance by belittling ourselves just to be equal with others without realizing it. Thank you Jenny, you are really inspiring.
@Taqyuddin, the pleasure is all mine. Your kind words brightened my day.
Well, if everyone is special, then no one really is. Being unique, isn’t so much of a special thing, I think. Everyone is unique, no matter what “class” used to “group” us. We just need to live it up, together. Let’s be different. Be unique. It’s nothing special, it’s just ourselves. Oh. Perhaps this is just the same thing with what you said but from a slight different point of view? Nice article btw :).
@Uwie, I think everyone is special in addition to being unique. Why? Because everybody is born unique *and* special. No two people are the same, not even identical twins (come from the same egg and the same sperm). There are, however, levels of one’s uniqueness and so-called “specialness.” Those who keep polishing their Multiple Intelligences to the max are likely to outshine the rest of the population. Those people are extraordinary in addition to being unique and special.
membaca tulisan Jenny , saya jadi teringat betapa hampir setiap awal kuliah semester saya selalu mengingatkan mhs/i saya bahwa jika yang ingin dicapai adalah sekadar title sarjana maka jawabnya di Indonesia sudah “sangat” terlalu banyak sarjana ALA KADAR.
Dalam bentuk yang lain ,saya selalu mendorong mereka menjadi Primus Inter Pares,menjadi yang UTAMA diantara SESAMA.
sering saya contohkan kepada mereka(mohon maaf), betapa banyaknya Tokoh atau yg mengaku tokoh dengan kwalifikasi alakadar,ilmu yang alakadar,mental yang alakadar.faktanya,mereka tetap bertahan terkadang saya berfikir jangan2 kita memang senang terperangkap dengan hal yang serba Ala kadar :)
Jenny,tks berat telah mengingat saya insyaallah bulan depan saat awal kuliah saya akan bagikan tulisan Jenny dikelas saya.
Semua kita berharap diantara mereka menjadi yang Utama diantara Sesama.
Tks Jenny.Salam Hormat.
@Abunawar, terima kasih tulisan saya telah membantu. Mungkin buku saya yang baru diterbitkan oleh LPFEUI bisa lebih membantu lebih dalam. Judulnya Mindset Sukses: Jalur Cepat Menuju Kebebasan Finansial. Seluruh royaltinya disumbangkan untuk amal.
Maybe it’s not just about being one in a million, because being one in a million is quite of a lonely place to be.
It’s about being with the best million..
Making the best from ourselves, and making the best out of others.
That would be a blessing.
Insightful article, Miss Jennie..
@Marisa, thank you for bringing up “being with the best million” to my attention. It is indeed a great concept. Sure, we are all one in a million and a member of the best million. That’s certain agreeable and doable.
Hahahah.. I laughed when you said their is a small difference between confidence and arrogant. I find people who don’t know the difference. Hehehehe :)
Very inspiring article! I agree that every human being has a potential to become outstanding in his/ her uniqueness. The key to unlock your very best is to believe in yourself that you are not just “someone”, but “the one” instead.
@Puti, I like people who don’t take things seriously. :)
@Nurjamila, exactly. Well said.
[...] (This article was previously published at AsiaBlogging.com.) [...]
Jen, cannot agree more. I truly believe in Gardner’s theory as I’ve been achieving things with intelligences nos 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11. The thing is, most people still look up to accomplishments in some intelligences only *mainly no. 2* and consider others as not smart enough.
Jennie …
I like the article. One in a million, or one of a million, .. great ! .. totally different meanings, thank you for the sharing … Currently, I am reading read Howards Gardner book (Five Minds of the Future), Daniel Goleman book (Social Intelligence), etc .. and it is true that soft competence are the key for superior performance, where the hard competence will be the minimum requirements for success ..
Keep on the good work … kind regards from Jakarta.
Riri @ http://ririsatria.blogsavy.com
It’s gonna be a long and winding road to change the perception between confidence and arrogant down here jenny. More publicity, and it will change million’s points of view for sure:-)
[...] [Previously published by AsiaBlogging.com] [...]
Hello Jen, senang bisa mengontak Anda.
Apakah menjadi one in a million tidak melelahkan? Saya pernah berusaha, tapi tidak berlangsung lama. The environment turn me back down…(sad). Punya tips buat saya?
Nowadays, I still don’t know what kind of intellegence i have..How to recognize intellegence?
@Dedi, thanks. Well, it is a mindset, and it is not tiring, once you’ve changed it from the old to the new one. Tiring or not is also a mindset. Just don’t follow the “bad” one.
@Iid, everybody has all those intelligences. Some are stronger, some are weaker. The key is to keep things in balance.
Great! We as humans were designed much differently and much better than any other creature that habitats this planet. We are so much more advance than even the smartest monkey that there is no doubt that we are special. I do agree that arrogance may be one of our major faults, but without the acknowledgement and celebration of our abilities and gifts, we might as well be monkeys. Glad I came back to read this one.later
Very nice analogy, Ralph. :)
Is “Be One In a Million” is your phrase your created or an English one? I’ll memorize this inspiring expression. Thanks.
Nice title, I like it. Really motivating… :D
Nice post.
Talking about revealing confidence to be able to confess that I’m unique, we should also consider the education within the household. Means, good education will form a confident person, bad one forms an inferior person.
OK! OK! After read your post, I have one conclusion:
I have to improve my English as soon as possible.
I didn’g get some meanings from this post.
Nice article.
I’m glad you wrote this article Jeanny and I agree with conradsharry. If your opinion is introduced to the Asian educators and parents, it sure will change their common perception in what is considered as being ‘intelligent’. We all have own talents and quirks as well as weaknesses. Some people might be weak in maths but very good in sales, or someone might be an excellent programmer but a crappy drawer. The reason why sometime we choose to supress our own talents and belittle ourselves might lay to the fact that the society or the people around us expect us to be the persons THEY want us to be. It’s always me against the world ;)
@Junarto, “in” has different meaning from “of.” That’s all.
@Therry, I can’t agree more. You’re such a wise young lady. :)
@Conradsharry, there are some schools already using my book “Mindset Sukses” as a part of their extra curricula. I hope that tiny book can make some tiny wave in the midst of turbulent ocean.
[...] oleh asro di/pada April 29, 2008 Judul tulisan ini sama dengan tulisannya Mba Jennie S. Bev di http://asiablogging.com/blog/196/be-one-in-a-million-not-one-of-a-million/. Kok sama? Ya, sama karena tulisan ini memang terinspirasi dari tulisan di blog tersebut, dan [...]
Jennie!
I was about to search my friend’s blog and i found your article.
Phew, what a powerful meaning ‘one in a million’.
Thank you for lighting-up my spirit.
Cheerz,
Aira
To Jennie,
Prefect,exellent. I think the revolusuener one in a million.