Personal Branding

No, I'm not talking about this kind of branding, although I could see why someone might think that's what I'd talk about. I do lean toward the alternative as far as my tolerance for body art and body modification. However, that isn't where I'm heading here.

I'm talking about "branding" in the same way one would talk about a "brand-name", like a label or a trademark.

I am not the kind of person who likes to read or listen to someone doing a lot of navel-gazing introspection; BOOO-ring. But I have come to understand that it's incredibly beneficial to understand oneself well and accept who you are. It saves so much time and energy, and allows you to better know your niche.

For example, I could apply for any number of jobs out there, and I'd probably have no trouble getting one somewhere. I'm a bright person with a good education, and I'm well-spoken, so I could shotgun-approach a job search and probably land all sorts of offers. But once I got into one of those jobs, would I be happy? Fulfilled? Would it be something I could feel I was contributing something unique, something of myself to?

I don't hold to the idea that every job you ever do needs to be just exactly what makes you happy. It's possible (and even character-building) to do unpleasant jobs for a time, in order to reach some sort of goal or outcome. What, then, when you've reached the goal? Why not cut to the chase and find something suitable that you can stick with? But you can't find something to suit you if you don't even KNOW you.

Which brings me to my point. Some honest introspection is a very healthy thing to do. David V. Lorenzo blogs about personal branding in a post that I find compelling... so compelling that I'm going to lift it and print it here:

It may be that projecting a personal brand comes naturally to you. If you are an enthusiastic and expressive person, your clients, colleagues, and friends probably know very well just what you're about. If, however, you are not as vocal about yourself, you might need to spend a little time identifying who you are and how you wish to be perceived. These questions will help you determine that:

1. What are my most important values?
2. What are my greatest strengths?
3. How do I want to be perceived?
4. What am I known for?
5. What about myself do I want people to see that they do not?
6. What sort of feedback about myself and my work am I happiest to get?
7. How do my coworkers and supervisors view me?
8. What makes me unique?
9. What do I have to offer?
10. What kind of person do I want to be?

I'm going to be trying to answer these questions as accurately as possible over the next days and weeks. I'm seriously considering a job change, but I'd like to make the move to something that really suits who I am and what I do best... if that's even possible. We shall see...