When you make your decision to begin building your personal brand (what are you waiting for), it’s essential to first define what your goals are. This post will take a look at how to start at your end goal and then build a reverse time line to today. I like to call this exercise “ahead to dead”, because it really gives you an idea of what your goals are and how to reach them before you move on.
Let’s get at it!
Start at the end
What is your ultimate goal for your career, life, and family? How do you want to be remembered in each of these areas? The answer to these questions may take some time to find, but I promise when you know what you want for your career, life, and family, you’ve got a great foundation. You’ve also done something most people never take the time to do.
Really think about the following quote:
“There are qualities one must possess to win – definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” Napolean Hill
Can you honestly say to yourself that you have definiteness or purpose, the knowledge of what you want, and a burning desire to achieve it?
If you don’t, that’s okay – get started immediately by thinking about and writing down the answers to these questions. When you do, you will be on the way to both personal branding and personal success!
What’s your reverse timeline
Now that you know what the end looks like, start working your way backwards to today. Think of major accomplishments you would like to achieve, personal milestones you will reach, and the job you truly desire to have. This part is all up to your creativity and is completely about what you want for yourself – have fun with this part and don’t hold anything back!
Really think about the following quote:
“You might well remember that nothing can bring you success but yourself.” Napolean Hill
All the goals you have for your personal brand and yourself are completely up to you to achieve – nobody else. The magic is found when you know what these goals are and want them bad enough to keep fighting to achieve them — no matter how many times you stare failure in the face or what people say or think about you. Just keep at it and keep going – that’s how winning is done.
Start where you are & begin taking action
Now that you know what you want all that is left is for you to take action towards achieving your goal. Most people think everything needs to be perfect before they begin pursuing their goals – but the perfect scenario will rarely present itself. Just start where you are, with what you have and keep at it until you have what you want!
And I will leave you with my favorite quote.
“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward — how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, than go out and get what you’re worth, but you gotta be willing to take the hits.” Rocky Balboa
Are you willing to take the hits?
Have an awesome 4th of July weekend!
Author:
Chad Levitt is the author of the New Sales Economy blog, which focuses on how Sales 2.0 & Social Media can help you connect, create more opportunities and increase your business. Chad is also the featured Sales 2.0 blogger at SalesGravy.com, the number one web portal for sales pros, the professional athletes of the business world. Make sure to connect with him on Twitter @chadalevitt.
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Good article. However would have to say though you have to have some kind of vision of your ultimate goal it makes more sense to focus on a major goal a little nearer in the future. Why? Otherwise setting too many goals/milestones will cause you to have to identify many actions to support the goals. Risk is that you’ll not identify the actions to prioritize or will simply not identify key actions. Remember goals mean nothing if you do not support them with the necessary actions.
Very good – mapping things out.
I always say, “Finish in phases”, and this approach you’ve described enables you to do so – as well as empowers you to take action to get the next thing done, rather than end up as a fully fledged personal brand within two hours!
Chad, great view. I like the way you get others to think about personal branding. Branding takes time and effort, but I find most people are expecting this to be as fast as lightning on the internet. Another thing I ask in a discussion about personal branding is “How are you going to use this brand to your benefit?”. In some cases it is obvious, but for others not so. “Branders”will have to find a way to consolidate all of the aspects that make up their brand into one place to present to others. For those with the experience, they can build their own online web portal to present their portfolio and brand, or I have found others that utilize http://www.brightfuse.com, or http://www.pzhone.com to provide the presentations capabilities at a low cost. Either way I agree Personal Branding is the answer in today’s environment, then consolidating and presenting becomes a hurdle. Food for thought.
JA
Getting it right from the on set does not hurt. thanks Chad