You want to leave a mark, not a blemish. Be a hero, not a spectator. You want to be interesting. (Who doesn’t?) But sometimes it takes a nudge, a wake-up call, an intervention!―and a little help.
This is where Jessica Hagy comes in. A writer and illustrator of great economy, charm, and insight, she’s created How to Be Interesting: (In 10 Simple Steps)
, a uniquely inspirational how-to that combines fresh and pithy lessons with deceptively simple diagrams and charts.
Step # 1: Go Exploring
Explore ideas, places, and opinions. The inside of the echo chamber is where all the boring people hang out.
Step #2: Share What You Discover
And be generous when you do. Not everybody went exploring with you. Let them live vicariously through your adventures.
Step #3: Do Something. Anything
Dance. Talk. Build. Network. Play. Help. Create. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re doing it. Sitting around and complaining is not an acceptable form of ‘something,’ in case you were wondering.
Step #4: Embrace Your Weirdness
No one is normal. Everyone has quirks and insights unique to themselves. Don’t hide these things—they are what make you interesting.
Step #5: Have A Cause
If you don’t give a damn about anything, no one will give a damn about you.
Step #6: Minimize The Swagger
Egos get in the way of ideas. If your arrogance is more obvious than your expertise, you are someone other people avoid.
Step #7: Give It A Shot
Try it out. Play around with a new idea. Do something strange. If you never leave your comfort zone, you won’t grow.
Step #8: Hop Off The Bandwagon
If everyone else is doing it, you’re already late to the party. Do your own thing, and others will hop onto the spiffy wagon you built yourself. Besides, it’s more fun to drive than it is to get pulled around.
Step #9: Grow A Pair
Bravery is needed to have contrary opinions and to take unexpected paths. If you’re not courageous, you’re going to be hanging around the water cooler, talking about the guy who actually is.
Step #10: Ignore The Scolds
Boring is safe, and you will be told to behave yourself. The scolds could have, would have, should have. But they didn’t. And they resent you for your adventures.