From 1962-1992, Johnny Carson ruled the airwaves as the King of Late Night. If you were a stand-up comedian in the late 70s through the early 90s, and you were invited over to the couch to talk to Johnny after your 5-minute set, you were now Hollywood royalty.

Everybody comedian on the planet wanted to be like Johnny Carson. In 1992, when Johnny Carson retired, everyone thought that David Letterman would be a shoe-in as the new host. And why not? Letterman’s own late-night show had been following Johnny Carson for the last ten years, and it was no secret that he idolized Carson. And in turn, Johnny personally liked David Letterman more than Jay Leno, who had guest-hosted “The Tonight Show” many times.

The TV world was scandalized when “The Tonight Show” hosting spot went to Leno instead. As a result, Letterman moved to CBS to start his own show opposite Jay Leno.

The next year, in 1993, a young upstart comedian who was a writer for “The Simpsons” got his own late-night show at NBC. For years, he followed Jay Leno in the lineup, even though his style was much more like David Letterman, whom he adored. This, of course, was Conan O’Brien.

In the irony of all ironies, Conan had a brief stint hosting “The Tonight Show” for nearly eight months in 2009-2010, until his low ratings prompted NBC to bring back Jay Leno as the host.

What’s the point of this little stroll down late-night memory lane?

All of these hosts have been victims of what you might call “Carson’s Curse.” In one way or another, they all wanted to be like Johnny Carson, who will forever be immortalized as the greatest late-night host ever.

Even today, people who remember Johnny Carson will watch Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and other late-night hosts, and remark that they just can’t measure up to Carson… even though it’s been over 30 years since he was the host of “The Tonight Show.”

But let’s be clear: Johnny Carson didn’t put a curse on anyone. Rather, he was so good that everybody wanted to be like him, but nobody could measure up. Instead, over time they developed their own styles with their own audience.

Conan O’Brien alluded to this when he said, “It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique.”

Is there a writer you look up to? Someone you admire so much that it’s hard not to want to be like them? Maybe you emulate their style or you’re trying to build your platform just like theirs.

Be careful. It’s OK to learn from other writers and their styles or techniques, but the world doesn’t need another JK Rowling, Stephen King, or James Patterson. What the world needs is for you to give the most valuable gift you can possibly offer… and that is uniquely you.

Today’s Challenge: Grab a sheet of paper and write down 3 things that are unique about you. How can you integrate these into your writing?

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But nothing could be further from the truth. Every single day is unique. This day will never come around again. You only have this one shot, so don’t blow this one opportunity to live these twenty-four hours. So, you must treat today like the gift it truly is.

It’s not just about us, though. We have to treat our audience the same way. We have to show up every day, ready to write, ready to create, ready to serve. They deserve the best you can give.

The legendary singer Tony Bennett said, “If you walk out there like it’s just another night, the audience is going to treat you the same way.” Those are wise words from a man who has been entertaining and serving audiences for decades.

Daily Question: Are you treating this day as the gift it truly is?

Today’s episode is sponsored by the Book Marketing Mastery course. Use the code “DailyWriter” to get 10% off.

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You were born with a gift. You can think of it as a beautiful white pearl. This gift, this pearl, is meant to be shared with the world. As a child, you were excited to share your gift with others. But over the years, as you accumulate disappointments, rejection, and hurts, your pearl becomes dark and encrusted.

With each passing year, a layer is added to your pearl. One day, you notice you’re carrying around a dark lump and wonder how you got it. You’ve forgotten there is a pearl buried deep inside.

Most people either get used to the lump or they simply throw it away. But a select few remember the gift they were given. They understand that their life’s task is to keep breaking through the layers until the pearl is discovered once again. Then, and only then, can they share the beauty of their pearl—their precious gift—with the world.

Your task today, and every day, is to do the work of uncovering your pearl. Some days you will feel cynical or discouraged. Other days you will feel tired and hopeless.

It doesn’t matter. Even on those days, you must work at keeping your gift, your pearl, beautiful and restored. Don’t let it get encrusted, and by all means, don’t ever throw it away.

The world needs your gift.

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