Personal Branding, the 3 essentials for being yourself, and your fullest potential.

The idea of this blogpost is really a reminder for creative people out there, that whatever we've been told growing up might be wrong.

I grew up as the kid that wasn't really standing out academically, nor did I stand out in sports despite my posture being higher than the average kid. So, what went through my head was the fact that I am disappearing over time.

Last month, I turned 30 years old, and if there's one thing I realize, is that I am pretty comfortable with who I think I am, and as a person who advocates for mental health;

I am not willing to apologize for being me.

I found what I think is my identity, which is ever-growing and ever-changing.

Now these are 3 things that I find helpful navigating through today's world where everything is digital and the line between real and fake information is hard to establish.

1. Be authentic. I know this sounds like one of the most cliche things you always see in Instagram or Pinterest quotes. But as much as it sounds cliche, it's probably one of the most applicable essentials on building your personal branding. People are often too scared to be who they are. But here's the take: You're not meant for everyone, you don't even like everyone. Why bother?

2. Stand your ground. I said that my identity is ever-changing; that does not mean that I follow the herd. Everyone has their own metrics in defining what's good or bad. Your brand will suffer if your actions and words are not consistent. For example, if you rail on about punctuality but are habitually late, people may brand you a hypocrite.

3. Control your environment. Most likely you have seen people who are in a constant state of cognitive dissonance — the people in their life don't fit with their goals, and the activities in which they engage are detrimental to their goals. People with strong personal brands make deliberate decisions about their time, activities, and the people around them. Choose to surround yourself with people who celebrate and enhance your life. Carefully manage your time and resources to support the reputation and lifestyle that will result in your preferred future.

Next up

7 pillars of brand strategy →