I’ve been on this earth for a quarter of a century, and have come across some very interesting people through conversations, books, and media. They all share the same commonalities. Which, fortunately for us boring people, are replicable.
Interesting people possess an aura of mystery. Their life is made up of various, seemingly random experiences by modern standards, often uncovered over time through stories. These people have a series of “dots,” or milestones that summarize how they got to where they are in life today, but don’t expect those dots to be reveled in chronological order.
Sometimes these dots involve achievements like academic accolades, awards, or past roles, that feel mysterious because of their impressive, yet never-talked-about nature. In short: Interesting people don’t wear their achievements on their sleeve for the world to see. Instead, they use achievements as a measurement for their own personal progress. All steps in a much larger life journey.
Interesting people care more about their personal journey than the approval of others. They see value in self growth and expanding their skillsets, which is why they view themselves as human guinea pigs when it comes to learning new and hard things. They’re willing to try anything themselves at least once before either pursuing it further or moving on to something else completely. These people will listen to other opinions, but at the end of the day, the only one they’re going to trust is their own.
This human guinea pig mentality is probably the biggest reason the interesting are so well versed in a wide array of topics, with the greatest reason stemming from the fact they’ve personally tried or researched something before formulating an opinion on it. These topics range from politics and current events to pop culture and sports.
The superpower here? Wherever a conversation goes, an interesting person can participate in it to some degree. If for some reason they can’t, this person will ask good, intentional questions so they can learn more about the topic, or they will find parallels from past experiences in their life to keep a conversation going.
The biggest example that comes to mind here is Joe Rogan.
Interesting people understand different cultures and perspectives. Many have traveled, emerging themselves in different cultures and perspectives that has given them better clarity of their own. Because interesting people are curious and hungry, they’re always looking to experience something new, collecting mementoes along the way so that they never forget an experience and how it made them feel. These mementoes include photos, souvenirs, and other collectables of the like.
Interesting people invest in some form of creative outlet. They understand the importance of it, and recognize the positive effects creative outlets have on all areas of their life. These outlets vary based on the individual and their interests, but three common ones revolve around the art of style, conversation and storytelling.
Interesting people value these three outlets, and typically do them all “seamlessly” with a noticeably stylish element in their delivery. How? Because they practice!
One of the most undisputed characteristics of Matthew McConaughey is that he is an excellent storyteller. After reading his new book, Greenlights, one quickly learns that this skill was not given at birth, but rather one that took tireless hard work and dedication to perfect. As Matthew would say himself: The first step to anything involves dedicated and intentional practice, then only after you get good at the basics comes the style.
Interesting people understand this dynamic, and will retell stories to different audiences so that they can perfect their deliveries and other storytelling capabilities. They are also constantly experimenting with new ways of entertaining and communicating more effectively with their audience.
Interesting people invest in continual learning. For example, they know how to make money and they understand how it works. These people take ownership of their individual knowledge in a topic, because they can see the direct correlation a thorough understanding can have on their life.
They believe in self education, and are appreciative of all the opportunities this world has to offer. Interesting people recognize that the times we’re currently living in are unlike any other time period.
The interesting don’t mold their lives around whatever the media is talking about, but instead take control of their own journey. They - not the news, internet, or some other third party - decide what their day, week, and month is going to be about. And no one is going to tell them otherwise because interesting people have immense focus.
To gain the best results, interesting people read and write.
Interesting people have mastered the mirror technique, even if they haven’t realized it. They possess such great emotional intelligence that they can shape their actions based on whomever they’re talking to. Interesting people will always find a way to conversate and make others feel welcomed.
These people have a lot of friends built upon strong relationships because they have mastered laws of power 20, 35, 38, and 48.
#20: Do Not Commit To Anyone
#35: Master The Art Of Timing
#38: Think As You Like But Behave Like Others
#48: Assume Formlessness
Interesting people have their own tried and tested ways of doing things. Their customized systems are rarely one-size-fits-all, because they’ve been tweaked over and over and over again to ensure success. A big example of this revolves around finances, as interesting people will never have a cookie cutter method of budgeting that could easily be found in a blog post. Instead, they’re going to use a method they’ve tried and tested themselves that works.
Moreover, interesting people have their own viewpoints on a buffet of issues. They’re never just repeating talking points, but instead, they’re dissecting a multitude of different ideas - some right leaning, others left leaning - to apply what they personally believe to their life. This process creates an authentic personal opinion of an issue that is usually a mix of a bunch of ideas circulating the discussion.
Interesting people manipulate time. They know tricks for slowing it down and speeding it up and they use those powers to experience many of life’s little joys on a daily basis. One way they do this is through daily rituals, routines, and regimens. Regardless of what their methodology actually is, the interesting know what their day must consist of for maximum fulfillment, enjoyment, and productivity. Then they partake on a regular basis in private.
Interesting people have learned how to be happy. They’re so wise that they’ve figured out how to be, of all things, happy. And on a consistent basis too. Being happy is arguably something that can be learned, and the interesting have taken it upon themselves to understand the innerworkings of feeling, along with what they need to do in their daily lives to achieve it.
How? Primarily because they’ve dedicated the time to figuring it out!
As Naval Ravikat speculated on a semi-recent JRE episode; How can one be so smart if they haven’t even figured out how to be happy?
Lastly, interesting people believe in something bigger than themselves. Whether that be a higher power, some larger-than-life cause, or a mission that cannot be fulfilled within a lifetime, the interesting make themselves a part of something that often requires input, aid, or guidance from something God like.
All of these commonalities may seem vastly subjective, but my bet is that your list would be similar if you were to come up with one yourself. People are attracted to humble, high-achieving individuals who show compassion and interest in things worth caring about. They care about ideas and ideologies that have been tried and tested, coming out victorious against the many trial and errors that come from putting oneself out there. They challenge the status quo, but do so in such a way that feels inviting and non-threatening. Interesting people strive to be the best they can be, merely because they recognize the importance of it.
Strive to be an interesting person. You’re born an original, don’t die a copy.