One thing that people need to acknowledge is that where you will be a year from now, two years from now, is largely a product of your own choices. And nowhere is that more true than with your career. The important thing to understand is that the number one catalyst in the choices we make is fear. Which is why most people take a job. Is this the position and the salary that they really want? No, but it's an offer. They'll say, "I'm afraid I may not get another. So I better take it." People settle. And often they do what they don't want to do because it's either expected or they're afraid of what will happen if they don't. And people are unwilling to try something outside the flow of their lives. They really pigeonhole themselves.

Here's the other thing: The vast majority of the workforce is pretty unremarkable. They show up on time, they do their jobs, and they leave. I strongly believe that the difference between winners and losers is that winners do things losers don't want to do. It's not that they're smarter or prettier, it's that they're willing to do things other people won't.

I used to take two to three jobs at a time. I simply refused to waste my time doing one job and the other time doing nothing at all. Most of the people out there are content to just show up on their work. They're more than happy to just do the minimum. But it's not enough if you want to excel.

I think we're so busy living in such a fast-paced world that we don't really reflect on ourselves. You need to set aside some time when you're not running errands, not watching TV, to just stop and reflect on "What do I want to do? What am I really, really good at? What are my gifts, skills, abilities, talents, passions? Then research the kinds of jobs that use those skills and abilities. A smart way to approach your job is to think of it as being in business for yourself. And how hard you work, and how much you distinguish yourself, truly is up to you. If you want to break out of the herd, you can do so with extra ideas, volunteering, and becoming actively involved in the workplace. It's your time, it takes effort, but if you're willing to do that, it really isn't hard to distinguish yourself, because most people aren't trying to.