What does your day-to-day life say about your personal brand? Whether you are an entrepreneur or a star employee, what you represent is your brand. What people remember most about you stands out, and those things become selling points or red flags for you. The cliché, “Actions speak louder than words,” is exactly right when living your brand.
You are the first (and perhaps the only) spokesperson for what you want people to think of you, buy from you, or believe about you. As cliché as it may be, you do only get one chance to make a first impression. Everything else becomes an attempt to recover from a mistake.
Starting off on the right path is key to personifying your personal brand. What people think is important. Sticks and stone will break your bones, but words, rumors, and misconceptions can hurt you. If you have established a solid reputation, a misstep won’t be the end of your journey. However, if you start wrong, it is a long road to recovery.
In the world of business, perception is reality. As you operate, keep these basic thoughts in mind to leave a positive impression of who you are and what you do. Here are four tips for living your brand:
1. Develop Personal Core Values
Many organizations hold there values in high regard and expect there employees, team members, and leaders to exemplify them. The US Air Force and US Army are two such organizations. Air Force core values are: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Army core values are: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. All members of the service regardless of rank, position, or job classification are expected to display these values. They characterize what each organization is about.
I call my core values the five River Rocks: Faith, Family, Focus, Fidelity, and Fortitude.
I believe I am capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to; nothing will stop me except me. I also have faith in the power of prayer, meditation, and karma.
I have a great support system. As I am a mentor, I have my own mentors. My family helps me move forward, they pick me up when I am down, and they keep me focused.
I keep my goals clear. I write them down, I share them with my family/support system. It is important to stay focused so I can make sure my actions support what my brand stands for.
I strive to remain loyal to the process of working towards my goals. I do my best to keep my word, meet my commitments, give back, and continue to be challenged. What goes around comes around is the action of fidelity.
I continue to be courageous in pursuing my goals. I must have the strength to push beyond the obstacles that stand in my way. No matter what those obstacles are mental, physical, or otherwise fortitude pushes me beyond where I am today.
2. Start With The End In Mind
When you begin your day, an assignment, or a conversation, know where you would like to end up. Have a plan. If you don’t know where you want to take your brand, you’ll never know when you get there.
3. Be Deliberate In Your Activity
Once you have your direction, only take steps that move you towards the desired finish. Look for relationships and opportunities that will help you move forward.
4. Be Prepared For The Long Haul
Establishing your reputation will take time. Be consistent in how you operate, continue improving, and build solid relationships. As you build your reputation become the kind of person or product that adds value to the environment. Become the brand that people want around.
Living your life with these characteristics will help you become a go-to, in-demand brand. Your thoughts become actions, your actions become habits, your habits become your character, and your character builds your brand.
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