Setting resolutions for 2011? How about setting some resolutions for more powerfully expressing your personal brand? Here are the Top 10 Goals to build your Personal Brand in 2011.
The article by Guy Kawasaki on Shawn Parr’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for your Brand inspired me to write a blog post about New Year’s Resolutions for your PERSONAL Brand. It struck me once again, how many similarities there are between building megabrands and building YOUR brand to a megabrand. Here is an adaptation of Top 10 Goals to build your Personal Brand in 2011.
1. Dare To Be Different
Yes, this applies to personal branding too. Many of us, in a desire to fit in, neglect the fact that it is our differences that add value, not our sameness. You have a unique set of experiences, skill sets, strengths that makes you unique. Articulate that and define the value you create for your work, your community and your eco-system.
2. Have a clear purpose.
More and more megabrands are moving from “marketing” to “communitizing”. Okay, it’s a word I made up. It’s about caring for not just the brand’s bottom line sales and how many customers you can get, but also caring for what the brand’s customers care about and how the brand can have a positive impact in the community. So ask yourself, what is the positive impact you want to have in your eco-system. Getting clarity on your purpose will help you be more fulfilled and make smarter choices about where you want to invest your time & resources.
3. Listen and have something compelling to say.
Once you’ve figured out what is uniquely different about you (your strengths, passions) then start to express it powerfully. Let people know what your brand is about. Tell people at work what you care about, what you enjoy doing. Express your point of view. Yes, it’s different and yes, that’s how you add value.
4. Pick a fight.
Shawn says “When you’ve got an opponent to beat, it increases your motivation to win, so choose an enemy to fight and rally your team around this battle.” In the case of personal branding, the fights you want to pick are not with the conventional “opponents”. You want to pick fights with the fears that keep you moving forward more authentically in the direction of your calling. If you want to pick a fight, pick a fight with your inner critic. All worthy opponents.
5. Set a big goal.
This is a big one. We are all meant to grow through the changes we experience. So, do set that one wild and audacious goal for 2011 — something you’ve never tried before. This keeps you growing. Keeping yourself outside of your comfort zone in atleast one aspect of your work/life will enrich you. Get the support of others in your circle to help you meet this goal.
6. Inspire your team.
Here’s what I have to say about this. Inspire yourself first. Figure out what energizes and motivates you and then use this information shamelessly. When you are inspired, you will pass that on to your team. They will feel the energy you bring and you will help them to figure out what inspires others.
7. Laugh a lot.
Joy. It is an underrated virtue. As you start to express your brand you will find yourself feeling spontaneous joy. Go ahead, be infectious and spread it. Celebrate small victories as you start to express your brand. Laughing is great for the health. Find ways to bring laughter to others.
8. Plan the plan.
Once you’ve got the broad purpose and what makes you different clear, it’s time to write the plan. How are you going to express your brand in everything you do? How do you plan to bring more of your personal brand to your work, your community? How do you plan to declutter what is not part of your brand? Write the plan and monitor it.
9. Make friends.
Who are the people in your ecosystem that have a common purpose and values? Who are the people that you always feel energized around? Spend more and more time with these people and help them express their brand. Dump the people that suck the energy out of you. If they can’t be dumped (i.e. your boss) then find a way to change the conversation in your head (see blog post on “Can’t Fire The Boss“).
10. Show your appreciation.
I am a big believer in both feeling gratitude and expressing it. Find ways to express gratitude for YOU, your strengths, your passions, your uniqueness. Find ways to express gratitude for the people in your ecosystem (co-workers, family, the coffee lady, the checkout clerk). Find ways to express gratitude for the circumstances in your life. Bottom-line, if you’re breathing you have something to be grateful for. It certainly beats the alternative!
In closing, a big thanks to Shawn for inspiring me to write this. I hope you take the time to reflect on these resolutions and find a way to achieve them in 2011. As always, I am happy to hear back from you and help you make your brand a megabrand!
