Post #9

Chirag Sagar (Co-founder, Mission Matters Media) says “everyone has a personal brand, not everyone takes advantage of it” 

Sequoia Capital’s endless growth, Amazon’s arrow extending to the ends of the earth, and adidas’ rising stripes remind us that aspiration is subtly all around us. 

The question follows: how do you create a personal brand that parallels the grandeur of iconic brands like Sequoia, Amazon, and adidas? 

The answer is simple, but not easy. My favorite pairing. 

Do some self-analysis, or introspection: 

• What do I love to do? 

  • For me it’s cooking, writing, running with my dog, reading about business, spending time with loved ones. 

• What is my vision for the future?

  •  For me it’s building businesses that scale, improving the lives of others leveraging education, public speaking, and wit, and honest to god? Buying a Porsche 911. Be honest! 

• What can I do to live the life I love and work towards that future vision? 

  • For me it’s working hard at work and school, writing every day, exercising my mind and spirit, and practicing my relevant skill sets. 

Combine the critical elements from above and you have the basis of your personal brand. 

Now, take it notes from brands you personally like and consume: 

• Customer obsession from Amazon

• Dedication to innovation and performance from adidas

• Emphasis on helping daring individuals from Sequoia 

Taking all the bolded words. My personal brand consists of: writing, building scaling businesses, improving lives, ensuring my products and services enhance the minds and spirits, being obsessed with my customers, and continually innovating.

Emulate the elements you like, and discard what doesn’t fit. Your personal brand should be greater than you. It will feel like an exaggeration, because it is. Balance the authentic and the ideal, and work relentlessly to fill the space in between. 

Now live it. In real life and on your online channels. Be consistent, every day you build your brand will compound. 

Simple, but not easy. 

PK