Be True to Yourself

Years ago, my dear friend and mentor, Eric Morgenstern, helped to educate me about the importance of creating my personal brand.  He talked about establishing that which sets you apart from the crowd and makes you memorable. It’s also what helps you connect with your people:  Friends, colleagues, prospective clients, employers, collaborators, and the like.

When engaging in this work, it is critical to stay true to yourself. This means being authentic and genuine in all you do.  In fact, you must first know yourself.  Specifically, what are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your passions and values? The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be to create a personal brand that reflects who you truly are.

Once you have that nailed, take these five tips into consideration:

• Be authentic. This is definitely NOT about faking it ‘til you make it! Please, don’t try to be someone you’re not. People can spot a fake a mile away. Instead, be yourself, and let your personality shine through. When you are honest about your experiences, your goals, and your journey, others will recognize and appreciate your transparency – it will help you build trust with your audience.
  
• Be consistent. Your personal brand should be consistent across all channels, from your website and social media profiles to your email signature and business cards. This will help people get to know you and remember you.
  
• Be positive. People are drawn to positive people. When you’re positive, it shows that you’re confident and optimistic. This will make people more likely to want to work with you.
  
• Be mindful of your words and actions. Everything you do reflects your personal brand, so make sure you’re always acting in a way that is consistent with your values.
  
• Be open to feedback. Listen to what others have to say about your personal brand, and be willing to make changes if necessary.

Remember, building a strong personal brand takes time and effort – but it’s worth it!  Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight. Stay the course and stay true to yourself.  By doing so, you will be happier and more successful in both your personal and professional life.

Happy Networking!