One in 7,621,018,958

Some wags joke that while you may be one in a million, if you live in China, there are another 1439 people just like you. Good for a wry chuckle, perhaps, but misleading.

It’s misleading because you are not one in a million. The fact is that as at January 1, 2020, you were one in an estimated 7,621,018,958.

Think about this: roughly six births in two thousand produce identical twins, that is, two children who share identical DNA. The other 1994 do not share identical DNA with anyone else in the world.

But even identical twins, no matter how hard their parents may try to dress and groom them identically and keep them lockstep in all activities, will inevitably grow up with different histories. As they become adults, even more so.

In addition to our unique DNA giftings and our unique experiences, each of us receives a different package of training. For example, in my first year law class were two identical twins who took great joy in dressing and grooming identically and fooling us all the time. However, for most of their courses they were in different classes with different professors, as a result of which they ended up with different law school experiences.

So, whether you like it or not, you are unique on the planet, and probably in the universe. One in 7,621,018,958. What does this mean? Well, it means that there is no point trying to be someone else, because you aren’t, and you can’t be. It also means that you have a unique set of natural giftings, experience, and training that no other person on the planet possesses. And that is the key to your success.

You see, you have something that 7,621,018,957 other people do not have. Your unique personal attributes, shaped by experience and honed by training, are unmatched. The identification and cultivation of your personal magic is what will give you not only success in your life and your calling, but will benefit humanity.

Be yourself, but be your best self. The other 7,621,018,957 of us need you to be.