Scared To Stand Out?

This world is changing at a pretty fast rate.  Most of this change we can attribute to technology.  When you can do anything anywhere from the convenience of your cell phone, you know we're in a different day.  In days like today, we have to be ready to meet these changes head on or get pummeled by what is obviously going to continue to happen...changing the way we do things and the way we are perceived.  Unfortunately there are some who are stuck in the "good old days" doing things the "good old way".  If that's the mindset, then I am afraid the pummeling will begin and those people just might get lost.
In a time where being seen and noticed and appearing to stand out is important, we must do our best to embrace the new world and try to adapt to it.  Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you prepare to stand out:

1 - You can't change overnight.  With the way things are moving, find an area you feel would be a good starting point for you and learn it.  For example, try staying in touch with clients, friends, and family using an online source or email list.  It may seem simple enough, but for those afraid of change it can make a big step in the right direction.  My wife says it's like trying to get a sip from a fire hydrant.  It's all coming at us so quickly we could get overwhelmed and just give up.  The key is to latch on to just one thing and master that before trying something else.
2 - Be certain you will get the desired result.  There are way too many people making changes with our society that look at all this change and they just muck it all up.  They do and say things to get noticed only to realize that they now have a perceived value of being a jerk.  Don't let that happen.  Whatever you choose to latch on to, make sure the desired result is what you want it to be.  Also remember, in this day and time EVERYTHING you do and/or say could be fodder for someone's tweet, facebook page, or blog.  Do your best not to be "that guy".
3 - Standing out is a MUST!  I wish I could say you could keep on the way you've done for all your many years, but I afraid you will get lost.  People nowadays want to read differing opinions from those who have an opinion and can back it up.  They want to deal with people who are not afraid to be different and try new things.  The key is to realize that in a world that is bombarding us all with bigger, better, faster, brighter, etc., we have to stay in that zone that allows us to be seen and thereby allowing others to perceive value in who we are and what we do.

Here is a great video that puts all this change into perspective: