If you are remarkable, it’s likely that some people won’t like you. That’s the price of admission for standing out. It’s a sign you’re doing something worth talking about, not just something safe and forgettable.
Share Image Quote:The core message is that polarization isn’t a side effect of being remarkable; it’s proof. If nobody dislikes what you’re doing, you’re almost certainly playing it too safe.
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. The goal isn’t to be universally liked. That’s a recipe for being… well, average. Bland. When you truly innovate or stand for something, you’re not just attracting fans; you’re repelling the people who don’t get it or who are threatened by the change you represent. And that’s a good thing. It means you have a sharp, defined position. It means you’re a Purple Cow in a field of identical brown ones. Trying to please everyone is a losing game. It waters down your message until it’s meaningless. This idea, this friction, is actually a powerful filter. It attracts your true tribe.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Category | Personal Development (698) |
| Topics | authenticity (101), confidence (100), criticism (17) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | honest (52), reassuring (55) |
| Overall Quote Score | 87 (185) |
This is straight from Seth Godin’s 2003 book, Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable. It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy. You sometimes see the sentiment echoed elsewhere, but this is the definitive source and phrasing.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (43) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Seth Godin writes and teaches about marketing, leadership, and creative work. After earning an MBA from Stanford, he founded Yoyodyne, sold it to Yahoo!, and later launched ventures like Squidoo and the altMBA. He has authored bestsellers such as Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, Tribes, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He posts daily at seths.blog and speaks globally about making work that matters. If you’re starting with the Seth Godin book list, expect insights on trust, storytelling, and shipping creative projects that change culture.
| Official Website | Facebook | X
| Quotation | If you are remarkable, it’s likely that some people won’t like you. That’s part of being remarkable |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2003; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591843177; Last edition: 2010; Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 33: Not for Everyone, page 155/160 |
In the book, Godin argues that the old rules of marketing—advertising to the masses—are broken. The only path to success is to create something truly remarkable, a “Purple Cow,” that’s worth people noticing and talking about. This quote sits right at the heart of that. He’s saying that if your product or idea doesn’t generate any negative reactions, it’s probably because it’s boring and invisible, not because it’s universally brilliant.
Honestly, I use this as a gut-check all the time. For instance:
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Wisdom (1754) |
| Audiences | artists (108), creators (124), entrepreneurs (1007), leaders (2620), students (3112) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | creative coaching sessions (1), leadership workshops (107), motivational events (92), personal growth blogs (28), self-confidence talks (1) |
Question: Does this mean I should try to be controversial on purpose?
Answer: No, and that’s a crucial distinction. Being remarkable is about being authentically great and different. Controversy for its own sake is just noise. The dislike should be a byproduct of your conviction, not the goal.
Question: How do I know if the dislike is because I’m remarkable or because my idea is just bad?
Answer: Great question. The difference is in the quality of the criticism and the intensity of the support. A bad idea gets universal apathy or weak, scattered dislike. A remarkable idea creates passionate haters and passionate lovers. Look for the lovers.
Question: Isn’t it risky to alienate potential customers?
Answer: It’s riskier to have no one care. By trying to speak to everyone, you resonate with no one. Alienating the people who would never buy from you anyway frees you up to obsess over the core audience that will become your evangelists.
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