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17 Successful People Share How to Become Unmistakable

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17 Successful People Share How to Become Unmistakable

“What do you think it is that makes someone unmistakable?”

This is a question Srini Rao, host of The Unmistakable Creative, closes each of his podcasts episodes with.

From happiness researchers to peak performance psychologists and from best-selling authors to successful entrepreneurs, Srini Rao has interviewed over 500 thought leaders, each with their own unique answer.

The following are 17 of the best replies to that question…

 

1. Derek Sivers, Entrepreneur

Derek-Sivers“To be unmistakable is to be clear and unambiguous in your head, and to live in accordance with your beliefs.”

 

 

2. Geoff Colvin, Author of The Talent Code

Geoff Colvin“It’s not always that easy in the modern world, but to be unmistakable, is to be relentlessly yourself. It’s the easiest way I know for anybody – and maybe the only way – for anybody to be unmistakable.”

 

3. Jon Acuff, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jon-Acuff“I think to be unmistakable is to live out who you are in all your uniqueness and use the gifts you were given. It’s the bravery to march into the deep forest of who you are and be that person.”

 

4. Justine Musk, Author

Justine-Musk“When you can identify your talent and master the skillset that will allow you to put it out into the world, and to serve other people, that’s unmistakable”.

 

 

5. Tim Ferriss, Author, Entrepreneur, Angel Investor

Tim Ferriss“Something that makes someone unmistakable is being different and not just better. Part of doing that is knowing yourself and being true to yourself. Be that weird person which is yourself. Embrace the things that make you unique, even if you might view them as weaknesses”.

 

6. Ryan Holiday, Author, Writer, and Marketer

Ryan-Holiday“What makes someone unmistakable? When someone is truly themselves, rather than what they think everyone wants them to be. It’s the amount of time and energy they focus exclusively on asking themselves, ‘What’s important to me?’ ‘Who do I want to be?’ and, ‘What was I put on this earth to do?”

 

7. Seth Godin, Author, Entrepreneur, Marketer and Speaker

seth-godin“The path to become unmistakable is the willingness to be wrong, to be criticized and most of all, to matter. And if you’re willing to do something that matters, you are likely to be in the minority – and it probably means you’re doing something that’s unmistakable.”

 

8. Dani Shapiro, Novelist 

dani-shapiro“To be unmistakable is to persist and to honor one’s gift. To understand that to have a gift is a precious thing. To nurture it and to give it the time and space that it needs, and to not get all caught up in the nosiness of the rest of the world.”

 

 

9. Clay Hebert, Entrepreneur, Marketer and Crowdfunder 

Clay-Hebert“We live in a time now when literally everything is in front of us and we have all the opportunity in the world. Being unmistakable is about grabbing that possibility and acting with intention; it’s about waking up every day and building your dreams; it’s about being intentional with how you live your life, how you do your work and how you connect people.”

 

10. Charlie Hoehn, Entrepreneur and Author 

Charlie-Hoehn“I think it starts from reaching your most inner self, from working on being your most authentic self, from being open, honest and vulnerable.”

 

 

11. Noah Kagan, Internet Entrepreneur

Noah-Kagan“If you want to be unmistakable, do something that makes you uncomfortable. When you actually go forward with it, people start recognising you.”

 

 

12. Tucker Max, Author and Public Speaker

Tucker-Max“Don’t worry about being original; worry about being really authentic and really vulnerable, and really getting to the deep honest truth of what you’re afraid of. If you’re afraid of this truth, my guess is there are millions of other people who are just as afraid as you are. And if you get up and say it, then they are going to love you because you had the courage to say what they were trying to say themselves.You gave voice to something in them that was important to them. That’s how you make yourself unmistakable.”

 

13. Gary W. Goldstein, Producer

Gary-W.-Goldstein“I think what makes you unmistakable is speaking your truth. I think if you do that fairly consistently and make it a habit, you become unmistakable, you become memorable and you become an experience for everyone you come in contact with”.

 

 

14. Jayson Gaignard, Entrepreneur

Jayson-Gaignard“To be unmistakable is to be aware of what your strengths are, of what your weaknesses are, and where you allocate your time. It’s to be aware of what truly matters to you.”

 

 

15. Jonathan Fields, Entrepreneur

Jonathan-Fields“To be unmistakable is to have a willingness to reveal the essence of who you are, and to lean into the process of craft long enough to develop a truly distinct voice.”

 

 

16. Jordan Harbinger, Founder of The Art of Charm Podcast

Jordan-Harbinger“There’s something about building for others and for me, being unmistakable means assembling all of the greatest knowledge you can into one place and making sacrifices to do that every day.”

 

 

17. Jessica Hagy, Cartoonist

Jessica-Hagy“Someone is unmistakable when they’re not trying to be somebody else, but they have something on the inside that they just have to get out. You can’t miss that. If it’s got feeling, people are going to love it.”

 

Do you agree with this list? What do you think makes someone unmistakable? Leave your comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

Sam Thomas Davies scouts the leading edge of the human sciences for what's new, surprising, and important. He writes about research-based ways to improve habits, add new skills and sustain excellence. To learn how to seize the potential of your life, read his free eBook.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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