Branding is a journey of discovery and reinvention. And personal branding is about uncovering the core truths of who you are. Branding is never something you slap on top. It’s something you uncover, discover and unravel. It’s something that has been there all along.
At OLG, our background and our business is branding. We love and admire brands. We understand how important they are, and our days are jam-packed with work to build and grow brands.
Brands can be magnetic. They can pull you in and make you feel a certain way that you didn’t think was possible. Brands can earn trust and create loyalty. They can do so much to serve their customers, employees, and stakeholders!
But you know what? Brands don’t hold a candle to people.
Through our work at One Lucky Guitar, we have the unique privilege of not only meeting incredible people, but also earning their trust to tell their stories. We have been able to bear witness to the noble heroes who walk among us.
These people have overcome unimaginable challenges, found peace in unlikely places, reinvented themselves and reimagined communities. They have risen to meet challenges and raised others out of challenging circumstances. These people come from different backgrounds and have chosen vastly different paths from one another, but through our decades of listening and storytelling, we’ve uncovered some themes.
Marrying Strengths and Passions
People achieve their measure of success by identifying their unique strengths and passions and pursuing them relentlessly.
Define your measure of success. Not your mom’s, not your boss’s and not society’s. It needs to be your vision, and it should excite you. If it doesn’t spark enthusiasm, chances are you’ll approach it half-heartedly—and that’s a recipe for failure.
As Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
Use this opportunity to uncover your unique strengths. Some people are gifted with words, others excel at mechanical tasks, and some shine in social situations. The truth is, there are as many ways to be smart as there are people. The key is identifying what you’re good at, embracing your passions and placing value on them.
The Magic of Meaningfulness
So, you’ve defined your measure of success and embraced your unique strengths and passions. Awesome—that’s when the magic happens, because now you have meaning.
Recognizing and valuing what makes you unique gives your life purpose. This sense of purpose fuels your determination, driving you to pursue your goals with unwavering focus. When you’re clear about what truly matters to you, nothing can stop you.
A meaningfulness statement can be a powerful tool for aligning your purpose with your passion. Give it a try!
I (an action that lights up your soul)
for (audience who benefits greatly from that action)
because (an “I believe” statement that conveys your passion)
See Others to Be Seen Yourself
Branding, be it personal branding or branding for an organization, starts with asking good questions. We honor others by asking good questions, and our curiosity leads to understanding. This process of inquiry is not just about gathering information; it’s about uncovering stories, motivations and dreams that shape identities and define legacies.
In personal branding, the questions we ask can illuminate the path to authenticity. How did you come to believe that? What values do you hold dear? How do you want to impact the world? These types of questions help unearth the narrative that is waiting to be told with honesty and passion.
Be True to Yourself
The art of personal branding isn’t about crafting a persona to impress others—it’s about revealing your authentic self. It’s a celebration of your quirks, strengths and even vulnerabilities. When you stay true to who you are, you build connections that resonate deeply with those around you.
At One Lucky Guitar, we live by three guiding principles that keep us true to ourselves as an organization. Our three-for-three:
- Work with people you trust.
- Work for people you respect.
- Do work you believe in.
As you embark on the twisty-turny-path of personal branding, remember: people are amazing—and you’re one of them! This is your moment, your game day, your time to shine. So, let’s embrace and celebrate what makes us unique!
This blog was adapted from a keynote address, “People Are Amazing.” The keynote was most recently delivered at the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Women’s Network Conference: Celebrating Our Identity, Impact and Influence.
