All right, all right, I'll admit it - when I first heard everyone going on and on about "personal branding," I was like, "Yeah, whatever." I mean, who really cares about cultivating some kind of super-polished online persona? But then I got to thinking - with so many of us putting our lives out there on social media these days (whether for work or just for fun), personal branding is kind of unavoidable.
So I started asking around to see what other people thought about it, and there was one thing we all agreed on: your personal brand is about way more than just your online reputation. It's about how you represent yourself in the real world too. I realized I had been focused too much on the social media side of things without considering the bigger picture.
Your personal brand should be an authentic expression of who you are as a person - what you value, what you do, what you're passionate about. I mean, we've all seen those people who come off like totally different human beings online versus in real life, right? Trying to cultivate some idealized, "perfect" version of yourself rarely works out.
Your personal style is definitely part of your brand, but don't stress about following arbitrary "rules" or stereotypes. Sure, there are some basic societal norms worth being mindful of if you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. But feel free to push the envelope and do your own thing too. The most important thing is knowing yourself and what makes you unique.
After all, how are you going to stand out to a potential employer, client, or even romantic partner if you don't have a clear sense of who you are and what you offer? Underneath the impressive resume and charming personality, what really sets you apart? And is the "you" that you're putting out there actually reflective of the real you?
For me, my personal style isn't totally mainstream, but it's also not overly alternative or political, or trendy. It's just...me. I don't care about labels like "hipster" or "preppy." I buy what I like, not what's hype at the moment.
So why am I preaching about this? Because in a world where marketers and social norms are always trying to put us into neat little boxes, it's important that we hold onto the things that make us unique individuals. As a wise Gen X'er, I want to remind my fellow middle-agers and my millennial friends that personal branding isn't about conforming - it's about identifying and embracing those little details that make you you. Resist the pressure to become just another standardized data point!
