Some theories say that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice before you can truly master something. [1] X Research source Now, that’s a lot of hours, and it’s totally possible to have an awesome talent before even 1,000 hours of practice. But the people who really have amazing, awe-inspiring talent — Bill Gates, Mozart, Feliks Zemdegs — spent a lot of time preparing to be awesome. While you’re practicing your talent, find ways to motivate yourself. Break your goal down into small chunks. Reward yourself with free time, a snack, or that new video game after you’ve achieved what you wanted to achieve.
Start small. Once in a blue moon, people will start developing a talent and have instant success. For us mortals, it usually takes a while for that talent to develop. So start small. Work yourself up to greatness. At the same time, think of the “biggest stage” your talent can be showcased in. Magicians want to pack auditoriums in Vegas. Singers want to have a #1 Billboard single. Soccer players want to win a World Cup. Don’t be afraid to dream big when practicing your talent. That’s part of what keeps you going.
Always ask other experts in related fields how you can get better. Your desire to be awesome is directly related to your willingness to develop your talent into the best it can be. Ask other magicians for help; reach out to actors for techniques; attend basketball camps to develop your skills.
Reach out to other people who might act as a mentor. You can say something as simple as “I was hoping I could get some advice from the world’s best flutist about the flute solo in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2. Any help would be greatly appreciated!” Understand what other people get out of being a mentor. A mentor isn’t a one-sided relationship, the master just showing the pupil how to get things done. The mentor gets value and happiness out of knowing that they helped you succeed, that they helped mold you into a more dedicated, awesome individual. That’s huge! Show your mentor respect. You might think that your mentor’s advice is a little off the mark, but try it before you dismiss it. There’s a reason s/he’s an expert and you aren’t. Respect them by taking their advice very seriously.
Get your ego out of the picture. Not only will this help you shake off your mistakes more easily, it will help you develop a more selfless, humble attitude. If you didn’t already know it, most people think people who exhibit greatness but still manage to be humble are “especially awesome”.
Be funny with words. Puns and wordplay are a great way to be awesomely funny because we use words all the time. Consider these examples of great wordplay: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. " - Oscar Wilde. “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses. " - Dorothy Parker. Use physical comedy to get laughter. Physical comedy can include impressions of other people, learning how to mime, or slapstick comedy. Pick one, experiment with it, and try incorporating it into your funny routine. Tell great stories. We think people who tell great, comedic stories are funny because we live for stories. Stories make us feel human, and so someone who can tell a great yarn delights us. Learn the basics of storytelling to feel even more awesome than you already are.
Travel to new, interesting places. Traveling doesn’t need to mean dropping lots of money or taking lots of time. Try going someplace close you’ve never been. You’ll learn about new places, have a new notch under your belt, and will get a chance to convince the locals there how awesome you can be. Learn about unexpected things. Being adventurous can also mean taking a journey of the mind. Now, that sounds cheesy, but it’s absolutely true. The most awesome people in the world travel to novel, exciting, distant places in their minds as well as on their feet. Don’t be afraid to break away from the pack if it’s what you want to do. Sometimes, an awesome person will be adventurous by following his/her heart and set out on their own, against the advice of other people. Be adventurous by doing what you want to do, not what other people want you to do.
Try not to focus on “being awesome. " Instead, focus on the things that will make you awesome, like developing a way to convert certain recyclables into bio-diesel, or learning how to play pool with hockey pucks on ice. That way, people will be overwhelmed by your awesomeness before they have time to question it.
Perhaps have a trade-mark accessory by which everyone will recognize you as soon as they see it. Use it, but don’t abuse it. Shake off any criticism you may get from other people (they’re probably jealous or insecure) and wear it with confidence. Sometimes, having no style is as much of a statement. Some people genuinely don’t care about fashion, clothes, or accessories. Lots of people celebrate that because those people are usually absorbed in other things. If you’re this kind of person, be comfortable with your lack of style. Don’t judge others for spending more time on clothing.
Some traits that people generally think of as “awesome”: Dedication/faithfulness. You are supremely dedicated to whatever you start, and are faithful to a fault. Reliability. You are someone who can always be depended on when people need you, for whatever reason. Kindness/generosity. You are willing to literally give the shirt off your back if you can afford to, and if it means that it will make someone else happy. Ambition. Although your goals are lofty, you would never step over someone to achieve them. Perspective. You can tell the forest from the trees; you know that the simple things in life — friends, family, love, health — are too often the most overlooked. Principle. You know what you believe in, and you have good reasons for holding those beliefs.
Volunteer as a teacher. Teach kids how to read, how to perform basic math, or how to value exercise. Hold onto your patience and remember that not every kid learns material the same way! Be a mentor to a kid. In the same way that you might have needed a mentor, kids need mentors, too. They want reliable information about relationships, drugs, careers, and life. You can be that source of guidance for a child you take a liking to. Carve out time just to hang out. If you’re happy, positive, responsible, and mature, kids will be happy just to hang out with you. You won’t have to do much to be awesome in their eyes. Lend them a bit of your time and you may find that simply hanging out can be lots of fun.
If you’re younger, think about getting involved in student government. It may not have the reach that municipal, state, or federal government has, but it’s just as important to the people around you. You’ll learn a whole lot more about yourself the more you participate.
Get connected through your local church group. If you’re part of a community of believers, ask members of your church if they know how you might get involved in charity work. Often, your church will have programs or information about how normal people can best help. Consider making a microloan. A microloan is a small amount of money ($20, for example) that you lend out to other people through a lending institution. The people who get the loan are usually from very poor countries; they use the money to build hospitals, schools, generators, or simply to farm. After they have used the loan, you get the money back. It’s a great way to make a difference around the world. Do random acts of kindness. Hold the door open for a person struggling to make the bus; give a homeless person the rest of your take-out lunch; tell your colleague how much you value their hard work. These small acts of kindness take almost no energy or resources to complete, and can have a huge impact. [6] X Research source
