Personal branding: Define yourself before people define you

Hey lovelies, 

So, I was at a career seminar sometime last week and even as much as I didn’t want to be there I picked up a few things. You know what they say, no knowledge is lost. Since I don’t want to lose this knowledge I’ve come to share it with you my dearly beloveds. You’re welcome. One of the things I picked up had to do with PERSONAL BRANDING. Actually the speaker spoke on this from a more job-seeking perspective but I want to make it broad to cover everyone. It’s 2019, we’re talking inclusion. Again, you’re welcome. 

Now before we get into it, I’d need you to make a few notes. Mental note, e-note or an actual book and pen - all good. Note 3 core values you think people mostly identify you with and another 3 of which you want to be identified with. Done? 

One thing you need to understand is that whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, an employee, you are a brand and that brand needs to be managed properly. Personal branding is important, I tell you. Your personal brand is your resume before your resume. 

Too much English? Okay let’s break it down. As a person, whether you like it or not, people will have opinions about you - both good and bad. It’s the human nature. Now it is up to you to turn the narrative in your favour, define yourself first. I’m sure you know the saying “dress like you want to be addressed”. The basis of that statement is basically personal branding. Define yourself in your appearance, your values, your activities, your vision and even to your tone of voice. 

Now, the big question - how do we build AND maintain our personal brands? 

• Be authentic: In other words, be real. People might mistake personal branding for being who you’re not but the truth is you can’t build your personal brand around a fake lifestyle or persona. It has to be real. Your brand and you are not separate entities. You are one and the same. This means that you have to live your brand. It has to be your lifestyle. 

• Be accountable: No matter how independent you want to be, there has to be at least one person in your life you’re accountable to. It could be a mentor or even a peer; just someone you report to per se. It helps to keep you in check and ensure that you’re not doing what you’re not supposed to. 

• Be committed: Starting the journey of building your personal brand is great but it doesn’t stop there. It is a long term - and most times - a never ending journey so commitment is essential. You have to be willing to put your all into the process watch it bloom. 

• Have a focus/niche:  In order to build a concrete personal brand, you have to pick a niche and succeed in it. Which also means you have to highlight your strengths and feed them. Now this does not mean you should limit yourself. It just means you should give more energy to your strong areas. Jack of all trades, master of none" is a real thing. Being all over the place doesn’t give you the chance to express yourself fully. Instead, you get carried away trying to balance everything out.  

• Keep learning: Knowledge is power. Equip yourself with information at every opportunity you find. My mum always tells me that learning never ends. Even though she uses it to get me to read at the weirdest times, it has become a core part of me. I read almost every word that passes by my eyes and more often than not, useful details come out of it. All I’m saying is, try to garner information from every available source.

• Be confident: Confidence is key. It’s the necessary boost you need to be able to carry your brand well. We’re talking about defining yourself before people do and without confidence you can’t exactly achieve that. If you don’t believe in yourself first, you make it difficult for others to do so. 

In all, self discipline is the glue that holds it all together. It takes discipline to not just define yourself but also maintain it. 

Oh and don’t forget to put yourself out there. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”. Matthew 5:16. 
You’re a star, shine bright. 

Nazam💜