As the curtain slowly falls on the current year, it’s an opportune moment to pause and engage in introspection, an exercise that can profoundly influence our journey into the next year. Success in the forthcoming year is more than a wish; it’s a construct we can design with the right reflection and strategy. I want to extend an invitation to you: engage in a dialogue with your inner self. Start with this fundamental inquiry: “What hurdles are you grappling with at this moment?” Whether your struggles are professional or personal, they often revolve around a central theme—focus.
Focus is the lens through which we view our ambitions and the filter that can either clarify our goals or blur our vision. During the festive tranquility of the Christmas holidays, let’s cast a spotlight on your existence. It’s time to envision your life as a masterful project, one you are both the architect and the builder of, setting the stage for success in 2022.
The concept of personal branding is critical here, and it’s not a destination you arrive at abruptly—it’s more akin to a voyage. It’s a path you take deliberately, peppered with challenging but essential questions like the one posed above. It requires a steadfast commitment to unearthing answers and growing with each revelation.
Let us embark on this intellectual journey by dissecting the four pillars of focus that are imperative to this process:
The Cornerstone of Mindset: Our mindset can either be the wings that allow us to soar or the anchor that holds us back. A limiting mindset is more common than we might think and often stems from a preoccupation with others’ perceptions. This undue concern can cripple our potential, leaving us in a state of fear and self-doubt. Consider this—most of the judgments we worry about are mere shadows, figments of our overactive imaginations. They are not reflections of our worth but, more often, reflections of the insecurities and struggles of those casting them. To break free from this mental prison, one must cultivate a mindset of resilience and focus. When negativity arises, the focused mind acknowledges it but swiftly discards it. This ability to deflect unconstructive criticism is foundational to nurturing a strong personal brand.
A refined mindset is the bedrock upon which clarity is built. Once clarity is achieved, you can begin to craft your message—one that resonates with who you are and what you stand for.
Crafting Your Message: With the right mindset, the fog of uncertainty begins to lift, revealing the essence of your narrative. This clarity of thought and purpose enables you to distill the essence of your brand into a coherent, powerful message. Your message isn’t a mere collection of words; it’s the distillation of your values, your vision, and your unique perspective. It’s how you communicate your identity to the world. Crafting this message requires introspection and an understanding of not just who you are but also how you wish to be perceived.
In developing your message, consider the impact of each word, the tone of your voice, and the authenticity of your story. Your message becomes the beacon that guides you through the tumultuous seas of personal and professional life.
Embarking on Your Mission: Your message isn’t merely a statement; it’s a clarion call that signals your mission. Your mission is the embodiment of your message, a tangible expression of your purpose that you bring into the world through your actions and decisions. It is the journey you undertake, fueled by the clarity of your message. Your mission may evolve as you grow, but it remains a constant compass, steering you towards your aspirations and goals. It’s your contribution to the world, the legacy you build with each step you take. To define your mission is to understand your role in the grand tapestry of life and to pursue it with unyielding determination.
Monetizing Your Brand: The final focus area is the monetization of your brand. Once you have established your mindset, honed your message, and committed to your mission, the path to financial reward becomes attainable. Money, in this sense, is not the goal but the outcome of aligning your inner values with your external endeavors. It is the natural progression from the intrinsic worth of your personal brand to its extrinsic valuation in the marketplace. This monetization should be seen not as a chase for wealth but as a recognition of your value, a testament to the impact of your brand.
However, there is a caveat to this progression. An all-too-common misstep is to invert this order and pursue money at the outset, neglecting the necessary groundwork of mindset, message, and mission. Such an approach is fraught with challenges and often leads to a hollow victory, devoid of satisfaction or sustainability.
Reflecting on Your Life Project: “What is your life?” This profound question is not to be taken lightly. Your life is your ultimate project, an endeavor that requires constant attention, development, and care. You cannot passively navigate your existence; it demands active participation and management at every turn.
In the context of projects, there are discernible stages:
- Project Reveal: This initial stage is akin to the blueprint phase of a construction project. You might be without a job or a business, contemplating your next move. It’s a period rich with potential, waiting for the spark of action to ignite it.
- Project Renovate: Here, you have laid foundations and built structures. Yet, there’s a need for refinement—fine-tuning certain aspects to optimize the whole. Renovation is about improvement and evolution, recognizing that there is always room for enhancement.
- Project Rebuild: Sometimes, it becomes necessary to deconstruct and start anew. This stage is about radical transformation, abandoning old methods that no longer serve you and adopting new approaches for a fresh start.
Building the right relationships is integral to any endeavor, and it is especially true for personal branding. The stories I shared on social media about my childhood resonated with people because they were authentic and came from a place of vulnerability. Despite personal setbacks—including depression and multiple miscarriages—and business failures, it was through these stories that I began the journey of personal branding.
Embracing the ROO Principle: The principle of Relationship, Opportunity, Offering (ROO) is a cornerstone of personal branding. It’s about understanding the interplay between connecting with others, seizing moments that present themselves, and providing value.
- Relationships: Begin the foundation of relationships the night before. Instead of spontaneous and often ill-conceived messages, craft thoughtful communications that resonate with the recipients. These relationships are the bedrock of your network and can open doors you never knew existed.
- Opportunity: When engaging with potential contacts, start by offering assistance rather than asking for favors. This approach establishes a reciprocal relationship where you provide value first, creating a positive impression and a willingness to collaborate.
- Offering: Your offerings represent the tangible assets you bring to the table. Whether it’s a service, a product, or an idea, be clear and confident in what you offer. Your offering should be well-conceived, rehearsed, and ready to present when the moment arises.
Facing Rejection with Grace: In the journey of personal branding, rejection is an inevitable companion. How you handle rejection can define your path forward. Prepare for it by crafting responses that show gratitude and resilience. For instance, if someone says they can’t assist you at the moment, respond with understanding and offer to follow up at a later time. Your response to rejection should reflect not only your professionalism but also your unwavering commitment to your mission.
Personal branding is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires an understanding of your unique strengths and challenges. Here are four “Doer” personalities that can guide your approach:
The Developer: The Developer is a weaver of tales, adept at crafting stories from the threads of their experiences. They can translate these narratives across different mediums and share them in a way that is compelling and relatable.
The Organizer: The Organizer excels in curating content, taking disparate pieces, and creating a cohesive whole. They have a knack for seeing the bigger picture and making connections that others might miss.
The Expert: This personality is the consummate professional, someone who has dedicated themselves to mastering their field. Their depth of knowledge makes them a go-to resource and an authority in their industry.
The Role Model: A Role Model has built a brand so authentic and aspirational that others seek to emulate it. They lead by example and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Recognize which of these personalities resonates with you and use that understanding to shape your personal branding efforts.
As we wrap up the year and look towards the horizon of 2022, let the spirit of the season inspire you to reflect, plan, and act. Embrace your personal journey with all its challenges and opportunities. Remember that success is not a destination but a journey—one that requires focus, strategy, and a deep understanding of oneself. So, let’s raise a toast to the year that has been and welcome the new year with open arms, ready to write the next chapter in our lives.
Are you ready for TRANSFORMATION?
Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo is a Ghanaian multi-disciplinary Business Leader, Entrepreneur,
Consultant, Certified High-Performance Coach (CHPC™) and global Speaker.
She is the Founder and CEO of The DCG Consulting Group.
She is the trusted coach to top executives, managers, teams, and entrepreneurs helping
them reach their highest level of performance through the integration of technical skills
with human (soft)skills for personal development and professional growth, a recipe for
success she has perfected over the years.
Her coaching, seminars and training has helped many organizations and individuals to
transform their image and impact, elevate their engagement and establish networks
leading to improved and inspired teams, growth and productivity.
