Rules Of Journalism, Part III: Take Everything In Your Own Hands...

This is the moment of truth for me, as this is my 300th article for Bleacher Report, a real milestone for me.

I thought about what I could possibly do with my 300th article but unlike the last milestone when I reached 200th (when I paid tribute to all the Top Writers on B/R), I thought I would do something that was already being appreciated, "The Rules of Journalism."

I reached 200 on the 5th of July, when Shyam told me I would reach 300 in no time, as it turns out, I did it in just over a month.

Previously, on Rules of Journalism (Rules of Journalism, Part I : Every Dog Has It's Day...) I had focused on being patient, waiting for your chance and how to deal with criticism.

Despite, my earlier frustration at having to write that piece all over again, I was overwhelmed by an unbelievable response which ultimately led to the article being selected as Bleacher Report's Pick of the Day, I'd like to thank everybody for that.

The second edition of the much hyped series could not match the response the first one received but never the less, it explained the importance of learning from your mistakes (Rules of Journalism, Part III : Learn From Your Mistakes...).

Welcome to the third edition, Rules of Journalism, Part III: Take Everything In Your Own Hands...

In Life there are many twists and turns, some expected ones, others come out of the blue, Journalism is no different, anything can hit you from anywhere but you've got to be prepared.

It's not always about being a part of the pack, sometimes you've got to realize the importance of standing out, if something you do, is better or more special then what everybody else has been up to then, you will get rewarded for it.

Whether you write an article or a column, you have to tell yourself, "I'm not like everybody else, I'm better, I'm special."

You can't just keep on doing what everybody else is doing, you have to separate yourself from the rest, you need something to set you apart from the rest.

You have to get others to notice you, they won't notice you until you make them notice you.

Micheal Jordan was never just an average player, he established himself as a legend, he wanted to draw no comparisons to anybody else and he worked hard to achieve success, Tiger Woods is no different, he is a name that every kid looks up to.

In Football or Soccer, there are times when you have the ball and you have to choose between going for the glory and playing it safe.

If you take a shot knowing there's a chance that you won't score, you know there's a risk, but you stand up and take the risk even though you could pass to a teammate.

If you make it, it's all good, if you don't then, shame will prevail, you will be cursed, should that stop you? No! At least you won't die wondering what would have happened had you gone for the glory.

It's what you need to achieve TOTAL SATISFACTION.

There are times when you need to dominate, when you need to stand up for yourself and in journalism these times come rather often, where you need a piece that establishes you as a top writer.

So are you going to take the risk to become a better writer or are you satisfied being part of the pack?

It depends on you, whether you look at the glass, half full or half empty, sometimes the way you look at something or think about something can make one hell of a difference to you.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank a group of writers who have been a inspiration or a motivation for me or have helped me in keeping on writing.

Andrew M, Andrew K, Shyam, Gerry, Alby, Jeff, Simon M, Simon W, Sarah, Zahi, Mark Andrew, Warren, Marc, Alan, Chris, Amartney, Khalid, Brad, John Houmes, Dakota, Bob, Ron, Dave, Alan B, John F, Joe, Sean and many others, some of whom are listed in my 200th article for B/R.

I'd also like to thank a group of editors, Dakota Rubin, Justin S, Sergei M, Stacey Rice, Claire B, Gracie L, Jeff Gorman, Ben Newman, Dusan V and Brendan C for improving my work from time to time.

I would also like to thank Dave N, Dave F, Alex (Zander), RA (Ryan) and Aron G for all their help.

Well, that does it for the third edition of the Rules of Journalism, whether there is ever a fourth edition will depend on what kind of response this one receives.

I can tell myself again, for the third time in row, "I put my heart into this."

That does it for now, from Bleacher Report's very own, Salaar Shamsi.