5 Ways to Improve Your Personal Brand in 2010

The start of 2010 will mark the beginning of the next phase of your life.   What you do with this gift of time and opportunity will shape your brand and define your outcomes this year. So my advice is to not focus on resolutions but rather to develop specific actions that you take daily to improve the experience of your life.  When you focus on “Actions” as opposed to “Resolutions” you  reshape the way you view yourself in the midst of your circumstances so that “I am going to do” becomes “I did”.

Here are 5 ways to improve your personal brand in 2010

1.  Take pictures

A picture is the creation of a captured memory.  When you capture a memory you create a moment.  When you create a moment it means you have lived a unit of time.  Taking pictures of your experiences will help you take stock of your accomplishments.  In 2010 make sure to celebrate what you have done and where you have been.

2.  Create your own holidays

We often wait for prescribed months and days to remind ourselves of our value and celebrate our worth. And, if you are out of work or dealing with a life challenge the holidays can become stressful  and something to avoid.  In 2010 create a new set of holidays for yourself  like “Me day” or ” Show em what you got day”.  New holidays give you more to celebrate  and allow you to take more control of your outlook. It also will help others to see you as an individual with purpose and originality giving you a fresh polish on your brand.

3. Build a new skill

How often do you write down and record all the things you know how to do?  In a tough and difficult economic environment the more skills you have in your inventory the more marketable you become.  In 2010 take an inventory of your skills, the true abilities you have to offer that can help someone else or something else grow.  And add onto your list.  Sounds simple but many of us add qualities each year without adding skills.  Learn a new language, obtain a new certification, or simply complete a new task.  When  you build skill you build brand value.

4. Throw a criticism party

A great way to improve your brand is to accept criticism on the things that need improvement.  Select a group of trusted  advisors and friends and throw a live or virtual criticism party.  Ask your contacts to give you constructive feedback on three areas you can improve and three actions they would recommend. For example:

• ” Write shorter emails to get your points across clearer”
• ” Don’t be as sloppy with your attire as it conveys a lack of professionalism”
• Be more punctual to events as it will show you are truly interested in participating and making a contribution”

5.     Say “Thank You” and Volunteer your service

When you are put in a position to say or receive a “thank you” it means that you are receiving something positive as a result of something you delivered or asked for.  When you volunteer you are giving of yourself with no expectation of return.  In 2010 you will become the master of your fate and the pilot of your brand when you focus on giving of yourself.  Each day make a list of five things you will do to put someone in a position to say “thank you” and record the thank you’s you receive as a result.  What you give you will receive.

Best wishes for a successful and inspired 2010