How does one create a brand for oneself? Well, I am in cattle country and I don’t mean that type of brand. Ouch! It would hurt my butt! But you want to brand you or yourself as Tom Peter says. 

The first way to do that is build your own support group. That way you can spark off each other. You can hold each other accountable and they see the best in you and you build on your strengths and delegate you weaknesses. You also have to know what you want to be when you grow up. Who do you want to stand for or what do you want to stand for? What do you want to be remembered for? These three questions; who do you want to be, what do you want to stand for and what do you want to be remembered for should be your mantra when building your brand. 

  • What are your values? Write them down. This is your to-do list and to achieve it it may take 5, 10, or a lifetime to build. Brands are ongoing. They are not a quick exercise. They can take years to develop. A brand is trust. Build trust in yourself. Show up. Sometimes simply by showing up and doing things that other people don’t want to do you are unique. Remember, are you doing what is consistent with you values, your beliefs and your identity? Remember what Janis Joplin said, “Don’t compromise yourself honey. You’re all you’ve got.”
  • Learn new stuff constantly, innovate and don’t be afraid to fail but if you are going to fail try not to do it where you sabotage yourself.
  • Try to minimize your losses.
  • Do stuff you will be remembered for.
  • Make a difference and have the courage to be different. Sometimes differences can be in the speed which you do something, in your innovation or in your consistency or in writing thank you notes when others don’t.
  • Be an independent consultant or think like one even if you work for someone else.
  • Sell yourself. Jeffery Gitomer has some really good books on salesmanship. He is one of the best. Read his books. They are a quick read but they are very, very good.
  • Remember your calendar is you. Learn cool stuff and do cool stuff.
  • Remember, measure, measure, measure. Ask your teammates or your co-workers how you have done, your clients what you have done, ask an outsider.  Use this feedback to succeed. 

I have a little process visual here where I have plan, do, measure, Wow! So remember create a brand that is succinct and memorable. Be yourself. Most people are afraid of that.