​What does your 'Personal Brand' say about you?
Not your logo or your colours
 
I’m referring to:

• Your Character
• Your ‘Self-talk’
• Your Truth
• Your Discipline
• Your Motivation
• Your Message
• Your Stories

I’m speaking to you about being ‘Who You Want To Be’, decided by you and not by societal or anyone else’s norms.

It's unique, specific and special to you…..Why would you want it to be dictated by others or by thoughts that are not true to you.
 
Your ‘Personal Brand’ speaks to your character, reputation, values, how you think and what’s important to you. It also outlines how you approach all aspects of your life.
 
One of the most important elements of your 'Personal Brand' is, the ability to unapologetically be ‘Who You Want To Be’.
 
For me, my ‘Personal Brand’ is about being certain of myself, without ego or arrogance. It’s a place that feels honest and comfortable. It’s about having respect for myself and others, you will notice it in the way I interact and communicate. It’s taken time and personal development, which has all been worth it. I still enjoy spending time working on developing myself but I’m here, where I want to be and it feels great.
 
I’d like to share some tips and ideas for you to be able to do the same.

Are you keeping great ideas or something else to yourself because you’re not ready yet, it’s not perfect or you’re afraid of how it will be received?

I’m always listening to what you say. As a coach and workshop facilitator communication is very important and listening ranks high on the list of being a great communicator.

For years and for some reason more so since lockdown (enforced creativity time I imagine) I’ve been listening to people coming up with great ideas but then talking themselves out of it by saying “I don’t think now is the right time”.
The thing about an idea is that it’s up for the taking. If you don’t claim it someone else will, maybe not immediately but at some point.

Great ideas can be unique or they can be more commonplace.

Those who make the effort or are brave enough to claim the idea will be the ones who receive the credit, whatever that looks like.

Whether it’s an idea to write something, for improving a process at work or one you have for creating a social enterprise, the world needs your ideas and input.

Please find a way to deliver your idea, project or thoughts, it is the right time.
To use the well known quote “If not now when?”

So, if you are sitting on a great idea and fearful of delivering it for whatever reason, here are some pointers for you:

Are you overthinking it?

Things have changed dramatically over the past few weeks.

If you’re well, following social distancing and/or remote working you might be struggling with being inside or having a lack of variety compared to what you’re used to.
 
The Emails, WhatsApp, Messages and Social Media posts I’m seeing are asking for more ‘Face Times’, virtual meet ups and ideas for what to do to past the time.
 
Living Alone?
If you’re used to having a vibrant social life and now find yourself home alone only going out for essentials you might be finding this very difficult and ever so lonely, missing the physical proximity to other humans and what ‘social connection’ brings.

This isn’t going to last forever, be creative with your perspectives and what you can do.

Here are some tips and ideas for you:
 
Catch-ups & Check-Ins
Make a list of people you haven’t seen or spoken to in a while, catch up with them one by one with an audio or video call, check in with them and see if they are ok.

​This article is inspired by ‘The International Day of Happiness’, celebrated every year on March 20th, which leads me to ask how much do you value happiness in your life?
 
How important to you is being happy? How much consideration do you put into what it means to be truly happy?
 
What does happy actually mean to you?
 
If I were to ask what your default state of mind is what would you say. Joyful, angry, calm, grouchy, excited, miserable, confrontational, contented, stressed or [insert your own version]
 
What is your default state of mind?
 
If I were to also ask what is you preferred state of mind, what would you say? I imagine most of you might say something positive. Rarely would we admit to saying we prefer a less than positive state of mind, yet we often behave as though this is the case.
 
If I were to ask the people closest to you what would they say your default state of mind is? Go ahead and ask them for me.

On March 8th we celebrated 'International Women's Day' with it's theme of #balanceforbetter, a campaign which will continue throughout the year.

​I believe it should continue beyond 2019 so we carry on creating balance in the world. The challenges we currently face won’t go away if we just quit taking action once we reach the end of the year. As with any change, behavioural or otherwise commitment and perseverance is required or progress will stop.
 
The ‘Balance for Better’ campaign looks at building a gender balanced world, which is essential for businesses, economies and communities to thrive.
 
Diversity in thinking, perspectives, learning styles and personalities is a must for success in business and these other areas, gender balance allows all of these and many more attributes to create and enhance success.
 
We already know how important balance is in all aspects of life, it’s something we can all work towards creating for ourselves and for others in varying forms.
 
The campaign theme emphasises that we all have a part to play to make gender balance happen. Including both women and men in the conversations for change will enable collaborative action.

Here’s an example of how an open conversation can change assumptions and perspectives, which are very important for working towards gender parity.

Are you over 40? Thinking of a career change? Is your heart set on doing something different? Does your optimism, enthusiasm and confidence wane at the idea of changing careers at this age?
 
Individuals over the age of 40 who’ve been successful in changing careers do something very different from those who haven’t been so successful. They are focused on what they want, not on what they don’t want and most certainly don’t listen to societal naysayers.
 
Societal norms
 
Societal norms are generally not designed to encourage people to take risks. They can also contribute greatly to how we think and the decisions we make. Is what I’m doing normal or will my actions meet with approval from others, are questions you might ask yourself.
 
Ignoring what the world might’ve been thinking I did a complete about turn and changed career when I was 44 and I haven’t looked back. I am determined not to have any regrets in life or if I do they will be nominal.
 
A move from what you know into the unknown at any age might cause varying degrees of emotions ranging from excitement to fear along with a degree of uncertainly but if your desire or drive is strong enough you can work your way through these range of emotions, hopefully making decisions that feel right for you.

​True Diversity and Inclusion cannot exist without very honest and sometimes difficult conversations.

Diversity and inclusion are high on the agenda of many organisations, yet I’m still having conversations where women share with me the most inappropriate things that have been said to them both in one to one conversations and open forums.

I’m witnessing the fall out from behaviour that falls short of respect and acceptance for others. How can we as a collective promote a greater level of respect within organisations, so this behaviour becomes something that happens less and dare I say it disappear.

True, I’m only hearing one side of the story and as the saying goes there are three sides to every story yours, mine and the truth, but based on my own experiences and the upset I see being caused by what is being said, I find it difficult not to believe what has been shared with me.