When we think of the term “brand,” we probably think of companies and their products. But have you ever considered a broader definition? One that includes you as a person?
By definition, a brand is “a set of distinctive characteristics that establish a recognizable image or identity for a person or thing.” That’s why we think of companies when we think of brands. You can probably come up with some logos in your memory with which you associate companies. That is part of their brand.
However, the logo isn’t the brand itself. The logo reminds you of WHO the company is. What they are about. What they stand for. It is intended to bring back an emotion you associate with that company when you see the logo. The EMOTION is the brand, not the logo or the name.
What this means is that you are also a brand. You bring out some emotion in people when they think of you. This could be good. It could be bad. It could be neutral. You really can’t control how people see you, but you CAN control how you present yourself. You get to choose your words, actions, attitudes, and everything else that tells people who you are.
But there is one thing more important than how you present yourself. That is who you ARE. Before we choose how we present ourselves, we should choose who we are. Then we work to become the person we want to be. Then we present ourselves from a place of genuineness. We can proudly present our real selves, and the actions we take will reflect our heart.
Choose how you want to make people feel. Then become the person who carries that brand.
