I read just about everything Seth Godin puts out. He’s a thinker, writer, and all around generous person. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to get something interesting in their mailbox every week.

He recently wrote about this idea of being noticed vs. being missed. Which would you want more?

Getting Noticed

In today’s culture, it seems we all want others to notice us. Our Instagram feed is full of dolled-up pics, our facebook pages show our best ‘wow’ moments, our snaps… ok, I don’t snapchat but I imagine there is a lot of ‘look at me’ going on there, too.

You can notice me  for a lot of reasons. I can be the best at my sport, my art, my trade. Or perhaps I’m the best looking (ok – stop laughing… it’s just an example….) or most fit or fastest or strongest.

There are a lot of ‘positive’ ways to get noticed. And, there is a flip side….

A lot of times, babies and young children cry or yell to get noticed. It’s a pretty common thing since they literally do not have the words yet. This behavior doesn’t necessarily stop as we age. Act outing. Speaking too loudly or too long. We hit or we demean or something else just as negative.

Both of these approaches – both positive and negative – have something in common: they are all about me. I want the attention. I want your notice. And I’m working hard to get it.

You want to know the problem with this ‘getting noticed’ approach? It doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Instead, it leads to replacement.

Being Missed

Want to play a different game? It involves humility, self-control, generosity, humor, empathy, gratitude, and helpfulness.

By helping others before yourself, you leave an impression. Making someone laugh or paying attention or being faithfully present or serving someone other than yourself…. When reaching out to those in need, you become something more than just a kid or a staff member or ‘a number.’ You become someone people miss.

Do this enough: Sure, they will notice you… but they’ll also remember you.  Have a good weekend!