A good friend of mine said something to me at dinner this week that really hit me: “Aim Up, Compare Down.”

So many of us drive ourselves crazy by comparing “up.” Rather than enjoying our own circumstances, we lust for the things and traits possessed by others. We crush our own spirit by comparing ourselves to those that are smarter, younger, better looking, more successful, taller, wealthier, better athletes, etc. Unfortunately, this is just a recipe for feeling like shit.

In always comparing up, we lose perspective of where we stand. Instead of appreciating what we are, we obsess about what we’re not. We fail to savor our accomplishments and natural gifts, always grasping for something more in a never-ending futile effort that depletes our confidence and sense of self.

Comparing down, in contrast, helps you realize and enjoy where you are in the moment. It helps you recognize that while there’s always room to grow on your path, you’ve already accomplished the things that only exist in the dreams of others. Sure, there’s always someone with a bigger boat, but never lose sight of those with much less.

I’m sure there are many different ways to interpret the idea of comparing down. To me, it’s not about comparing yourself to other people or being boastful. It’s about comparing “down” to a previous version of you. It’s about recognizing how far you’ve come and realizing that things could always be a lot worse.

Now comparing down isn’t an excuse to stop pushing ahead and striving. That’s where “aiming up” comes in. As far as I can tell, the purpose of life is to realize your full potential and make your biggest possible impact on the world. You won’t get there by aiming (or dreaming) small. Aiming at a target in front of you will propel you to play your best possible game. It will allow you seize the enormous opportunity that’s waiting for you.

So many of us have the formula backwards, don’t we? We aim down because we’re afraid of putting ourselves out there and failing. By playing it “safe”, we end up filled with regret for all the shots we never took. And to top it off, we compare “up.” Envy overwhelms us, starving our own sense of well-being and fulfillment. And with every step forward, we immediately seek something new and shiny to covet instead of appreciating our accomplishments in the moment.

It’s time to turn conventional thinking upside down. It’s time to embrace a fresh perspective that will push you to new heights while embracing the joy you’ve earned at each step along your path.

Forget the traditional approach. Aim Up, Compare Down.

The ultra-premium and highly-coveted high heel designer Christian Louboutin has been racing the hearts of fashionistas for over 20 years. One of the most sought-after and expensive shoes in the world, they are a symbol of design, beauty, and luxury.

They are also incredibly distinctive.

The sole of every single Louboutin shoe is painted bright red. Pantone 187C to be exact. Every boot, pump, stiletto, and mid-height is adorned with this brilliant red color. While high-fashion designers routinely copy each other’s ideas, Louboutins have captured the hearts (and wallets) of the luxe crowd around the world because they are unique. Special. Different. Remarkable.

At up to $1800 a pair, I’m sure the quality is good and the assembly is professional. But that’s not what women buy… women buy that alluring red sole. That’s what Louboutin is known for. It’s what makes his shoes distinctive.

Volvo is known for safety. Wal-Mart is known for everyday low prices. BB King is known for making the blues pour directly from his soul into his guitar. Now I’m sure Volvo also offers great performance and BB King can play Country Western if he really wants to. But the most powerful brands in the world – both businesses and personal brands – stand for one thing: They own their category. They are truly distinctive.

What’s the one thing your company stands for? If you stand for great service, low prices, fantastic quality, speedy delivery, stylish design and being environmentally friendly… you actually stand for nothing. You customers, team, and partners won’t understand your true value proposition. By trying to be all things to everyone, you’ll end up lacking definition and delighting no one.

In today’s cutthroat world, your personal brand needs distinction too. Steven Colbert is hilarious and compelling because he is distinctive. His character mocks the droves of blowhard pundits, and we all love him for doing it relentlessly. For the last seven seasons, he stays true to his single, distinctive, authentic character, which is why he’s irresistible.

Too often, power brands reach too far and end up diluting their message rather than bolstering it. They launch products or services into categories that undermine their distinction, and end up jumping the shark rather than driving real results.

In a time when we all want to stand for so many things, choosing your single point of distinction can be more difficult than solving quadratic equations. But doing the hard work of simplifying your message into its most powerful core will end up driving incredible results. You’ll blast through the noise, while your competitors are tripping over their 47 “unique” value propositions.

Whether it’s for yourself or your organization, cut away the waste and narrow your pitch to a single sentence. Think of yourself as a sculptor chiseling away at the excess rock to reveal your masterpiece underneath. The clearer you can make your single point of distinction, the closer you’ll get to seizing your full potential. And that’ll really get your competition seeing red. Pantone 187C to be exact.

After I graduated college, I launched my second business – Innovative Computer Solutions. We sold computer hardware and provided networking and other computer-related services. After 11 months of business, I was doing well. But as Jim Collins likes to say, “Good is the enemy of great.”

In 1994 the computer world was in the midst of massive upheaval. And an introspective look in the mirror revealed a company that was on the path to mediocrity. I was making money and winning clients, but our products and services were a commodity. A me-too player. And let’s face it… the world doesn’t need another me-too player. The world doesn’t need another me-too anything.

So with less than one year of operations, I decided to sell a business that appeared to be full of success and promise. This was a hard decision, since the business was making money and growing rapidly. But I knew that it wasn’t my destiny. I knew that I needed to let go of one opportunity in order to seize a bigger one.

Letting go is never easy, especially when things are “okay.” Many people find themselves in “okay” jobs, “okay” relationships, and living “okay” lives. It takes boldness and courage to let go of the known to pursue the wonder and magic of what’s possible.

As human beings, fear often immobilizes us and keeps us grounded to the “okay.” But then we eventually look back – filled with regret that we never went for it. Never took that big risk. Never chased down our true potential. We end up playing it “safe”, only to realize that playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Because playing it safe gets in the way of your real trajectory and robs you from reaching new heights.

We all have “to do” lists. What would be on your “letting go” list? What are the things you need to release in order to make room for the new? What are you clinging to out of habit or perceived safety that has lost its enduring value?

Sometimes, you simply need to let go. You must let your own grit and determination become your new safety net. And in the process, you’ll make room for the possibilities while liberating your spirit.

Imagine you have the chance to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the pole vault. It’s your big moment and you may even break a world record. With the intense glow of audience scrutiny, this isn’t the time to hedge your bets. If you try a safer approach or pause to consider all the risks, the game is over. Instead, your best chance of reaching greatness is to give the task at hand your every ounce of passion, commitment, and energy.

To reach your true potential, you need to be All In.

Opportunity knocks for us all, sometimes more subtly than we’d like. Frequently that opportunity is shrouded with doubt and uncertainty; often it looks like a setback or even danger. Most of us ignore these opportunities altogether, or when we seize them we do so with a halfhearted approach.

“I’ll give it a shot”, we might say. Or, “Let’s see what happens.” The problem is – all the energy you put into developing Plan B ends up defusing your focus on the real prize. It turns out that the most successful people devour each opportunity along their journey with carnivorous ferocity. They give each shot everything they have, knowing full well that some will ring the victory bell while others crash and burn.

Think how silly Lady Gaga would look spending 10 hours a week working on her CPA license in case her music career flopped. Or what about a Major League Baseball player who never swung for the fences? Life is short and opportunities are fleeting. If you hope to achieve your full potential, you must put all your weight behind each punch. Start playing to win, and stop playing “not to lose.”

Sure, it’s easy to sit on the sidelines and point fingers. There are scores of people who achieve nothing of their own, but relish in the setbacks of others. But, at the end of the day, they’ll look back and wish they took a stand of their own. They’ll wish they were All In.

Theodore Roosevelt said it best, way back in 1910:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

When you are presented with an opportunity, attack it with everything you’ve got. No more half-and-half. It’s time to be All In.

This past week was truly a “magical” one for me. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the hall of fame basketball star, brilliant entrepreneur, and generous philanthropist joined my venture capital firm, Detroit Venture Partners, as our fourth partner. His extensive involvement will help Detroit rebound by creating jobs, urban renewal, and hope.

Spending the day with Earvin reveals something much more than his legendary stats and accomplishments, however. His rarified level of achievement is actually overshadowed by his warmth, humility, and passion. He doesn’t talk of money, power, and fame. No words of crushing the competition, self-enrichment, or glory. In the place of typical boastfulness that oozes from so many celebrities lies words of encouragement and purpose. Beneath the surface, I quickly discovered a whole new kind of magic.

His most important teachings are not mastering a jump shot or commanding a board room. The lessons we can all learn from Earvin relate to being a better human being. So I want to share my observations with you, in the hopes that we can all benefit from learning a little magic:

MAGIC TRICK #1: Make everyone feel special. Whether he’s talking to the President or the parking attendant, Earvin is totally engaged. He’s an incredible listener, makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world, and cares deeply about you. He doesn’t size someone up and consider how he could extract benefit. Instead, he looks into the eyes of the person, not their resume.

MAGIC TRICK #2: Develop boundless humility. Many celebrity athletes and business leaders overflow with ego and pretense. They travel with an entourage, drape themselves with bling, and anoint themselves king of every situation. Earvin is exactly the opposite. He celebrates the accomplishments of others over his own. He’s grateful for each opportunity and just wants to contribute. No entitlement thinking. No outrageous demands.

MAGIC TRICK #3: Focus on impact, not money. In the discussions leading up to our new partnership, the focus was always on making a difference. We talked about how we can create jobs, how we can help talented entrepreneurs win, and how we can rebuild our beloved city. Earvin keeps his eye on the real prize – driving positive change in the world. And from there, money follows as a byproduct. I’ve learned over the years that if you chase cash, you’ll seldom find it. Pursue greatness instead, and your earnings will rise in the process.

I’m certainly never going to win an NBA championship, but I grew as a person this week by hanging out with someone who transcends the world of athletics. His thoughtful approach to both business and life is an inspiration to everyone he touches. At 6’9″, he’s certainly tall. But his character, strength, and honor are what make my friend Earvin a giant.

And that’s the real magic.

It was widely accepted that a computer could never beat a grand master at a game of chess. Until, of course, when IBM’s Deep Blue computer bested the reigning world champion, Gary Kasparov, in 1996. What was once unimaginable had become reality.

A new game from Matel called Mind Flex allows you to use your brain waves to control a ball without any other device (http://bit.ly/jxkSZ ). I’m sure hundreds of people along the way told the engineers that a person could never move an object with only their mind.

There was a time when many of the things we take for granted today were deemed “impossible”. The telephone, electricity, the motor car, airplanes, computers, cell phones, and iPods were all originally criticized as fanciful dreams. In fact, for nearly every major breakthrough, there were herds of doubtful, finger-pointing critics.

And yet, we now enjoy all these things, along with breakthroughs in healthcare, art, science, business, manufacturing and more, due to “fanciful dreamers” that refused to accept the status quo. The nay-sayers are never the ones that make the history books. Instead, we celebrate those with the intellectual curiosity to imagine a better world and then the courage to make it so.

In the words of German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident.” So why do most of us get caught on the first stage and end up throwing in the towel?

Think of all the amazing ideas that were never brought to life due to the harsh criticism and doubt that plagued their inventors. Think about all the ideas that you have had, but never pursued do to your own doubts and fears. What would happen if you unleashed your currently shackled creativity? Even if nine out of ten of your new ideas stink, that one remaining idea could be that gem. It could just be the breakthrough that changes your career, your company, or even your life.

This week, silence the critics (both the external ones and your own internal critical voice). Think about the possibilities instead of the obstacles. Imagine the ideal solutions to your challenges, rather than the safe ones. Leave the words “It can’t be done” for others. While they are worrying about what can’t be done, you can get on with actually doing it.

Detroit, Michigan is in trouble. What was once a vibrant city is now overrun with crime, unemployment, and despair. In its hay-day, it was one of the top five cities in the U.S., and had over two million residents. Today, the landscape is marked by abandoned buildings, burned down houses, and vacant factories. The population is now well under 900,000, leaving a city that is too big for its residents to support.

Revitalizing a city like Detroit that has suffered decades of decay is an enormous effort. One key to improvement for other urban centers has been increasing population density. A more dense population is easier to police, protect, and beautify. It also creates a stronger sense of community, makes it easier to educate kids, helps focus limited city resources, and increases the tax base. But how can this be accomplished with a footprint that spans 138 square miles?

One brilliant idea has been proposed: Urban Farming. The concept is to relocate residents into a much more densely populated area, and then raze the abandoned streets in order to turn the land into urban farming. This unorthodox approach has many benefits:

a) Increases density, which brings the benefits listed above
b) Provides jobs and increases the tax base
c) Residents can now consume locally-produced good, saving transportation costs and keeping revenue in the region
d) Reduces the cost of city services such as police, fire, schools, and sanitation (it is MUCH less expensive to support farms than residential neighborhoods)
e) Beautifies the area
f) Supports future expansion (you can always re-build on the land)

I’d imagine that the average city council brainstorm session in America on how to reduce crime, increase taxes, and reduce blight doesn’t often include the concept of urban farming. Yet it is a fantastic idea. It is a non-traditional approach that breaks the mold, and dares to be different. The power of creativity in real-time.

Think about the various problems that you are trying to solve in your own business. Are you proposing obvious, unimaginative solutions (more police presence, beg for Federal aid) or are you letting your imagination soar (urban farming!)? List out the obvious solutions for your next big challenge, and then see if you can push yourself and your team to come up with your own equivalent of urban farming. Something different. And remarkable. And truly innovative. Something that forges new ground, and utilizes your resources in a fresh, imaginative way.

Detroit is a city with a soul. It has a rich history of entrepreneurship and innovation. Even though the city has taken a beating in recent years, creative ideas like urban farming can help rejuvenate the region, creating jobs, prosperity, and hope. Many companies and people have faced similar challenges over the last few years, and like Detroit, must rally behind creativity and innovation in order to rebound. This week, face your toughest challenges head on… and look to solve them with your own breakthrough ideas. Your own version of urban farming.

Creative Intelligence – sometimes it is life or death

Creative approaches to tough problems show up in unexpected places. When the US Special Forces first parachuted into Afghanistan after 9/11, they found themselves adopting some unusual martial techniques to manage the terrain and gain respect in the eyes of the local people. They succeeded because they had been trained to find creative solutions to novel problems. Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/aT5efn.

There’s more to innovation than good ideas

It’s not enough to come up with a good idea, especially if you’re the CEO. Sometimes, all you get is an “Air Sandwich.” At Autodesk, the CEO came up with six good ideas, and they all failed. Here’s why: http://bit.ly/9cu5Ut.

Seth Godin Says Ideas That Spread, Win

Seth Godin likes to tell the story of the inventor of sliced bread. Apparently, it failed – for 17 years – until someone else figured out how to market it. That someone was Wonder Bread. See the full story here – and make sure you read the first comment for a different perspective: http://bit.ly/aIhUgL

The Improv Encyclopedia

This may be the coolest encyclopedia ever. It’s stuffed with ice-breakers, creativity games, and exercises designed to increase your team’s creativity. Use the on-line version as a resource, or download it and keep it all to yourself: http://bit.ly/axNTuV

Mention the word Creativity, and people begin to squirm in their chairs. The very thought can prompt anxiety, fear, and doubt – even in the most accomplished professionals. Let’s explore some common myths, and uncover the truth behind this “fuzzy” topic:

MYTH 1: Creativity is only needed at the top

TRUTH : In today’s business environment, creativity applies to everyone. The companies that will win in this post-recession new world will have creativity as part of their DNA. You should consider the concept of Everyday Creativity: fresh ideas and creative problem solving in every business setting. Every meeting. Every customer interaction.

MYTH 2: People are creative (or not) based on what they do

TRUTH: Your role has nothing to do with your creativity. There are professional musicians in major symphonies that are great technicians but don’t use an ounce of creativity. There are also statisticians that are brilliantly creative. Don’t let labels dictate or limit your creativity.

MYTH 3: Creativity can’t be developed

TRUTH: Yes, it absolutely can. In fact, we all have tremendous creative capacity as human beings. We just need to develop it. Think of creativity as a muscle. You don’t become a champion bodybuilder without hitting the gym. Similarly, to build creative capacity requires some practice and focus. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific research confirming that you can grow your creativity at any age.

MYTH 4: Creativity isn’t my job

TRUTH: Today, creativity is everyone’s job. For your organization to be successful, creativity must be harnessed at all levels. It is no longer just something those “art people” do. There isn’t a job function that can’t benefit from creative problem solving, fresh ideas for the future, or simply finding a better way.

MYTH 5: Creativity can’t be managed or harnessed

TRUTH: Creativity often lives in the shadows, happening by chance. While businesses have processes for just about everything, no such process previously existed for nurturing creativity. Until now. Look for my eBook, Disciplined Dreaming: A Five-Step System for Developing and Managing Creativity, available for free download in early February at www.CreativityGeneration.com

MYTH 6: Innovation and creativity are the same thing

TRUTH: Innovation is a subset of creativity. Innovation is typically connected to a new product or service, while creativity is a broader term. Creativity applies not only to new product inventions, but also to creative problem solving, original approaches to communication, and in the broadest sense – raw imagination of the possibilities. Innovation applies to CEO’s and R&D departments. Creativity applies to us all.

MYTH 7: My technical skills and experience are enough

TRUTH: Maybe in the past, but definitely not in the future. Creative problem solving, original thought and imagination have become the currency for success in the new world of business…and life. The difference between getting a promotion, making the sale, raising capital, or reaching your true potential lies in your ability to embrace and nurture your creative potential.

As the economy continues to evolve, businesses are faced with increasingly tougher competitors, more challenges, and less time to react. Dispelling the myths, and then harnessing creativity may be the critical success factor for you and your company. Which of these myth were you holding on to?

This week, how will you change your thinking in order to change your actions? How will you use your own creativity to make a difference?

The Creativity Generation seeks to close the gap between the arts and business to help members maximize their creative potential. We’re on a mission to make the world a more creative planet by providing powerful, fun, and practical techniques that push people from all walks of life to jumpstart their creative energies.

Join the movement, and unleash hidden creativity and fresh thinking in every setting – from your weekly staff meeting to major innovation sessions to new product breakthroughs. Tap into a deep well of inspiration and new ideas, any one of which could dramatically alter your company, career, or your life. You will come alive with supercharged wonder and curiosity, improving your leadership, performance, and overall enjoyment of life.