3 Mandatory Tasks for Your Personal Brand in 2009

December 26, 2008 at 3:38 am | In Career Development, Networking, Personal Branding, Success Strategies | 13 Comments

A family catastrophy

It’s Christmas right now and I’m Jewish, so I figured I would have time to record a short two minute video for all of you.  I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas, happy Channukah and a pre – happy new year!  This week has been extremely difficult for me, as you might have seen on Facebook and Twitter.  Aside from my 90 year old grandfather being in rough shape, undergoing surgery and being moved to a nursing home, my grandmother and uncle got hit by a car.  They were both crossing this street and this middle-aged woman hit them.  She blamed the sunlight!  Can you believe that?  My grandmother (88 years old) ended up with a broken pelvis and is in extraordinary pain and my uncle was fine because he jumped onto of the car upon impact.  The really sad thing is that my grandparents are in two different places and don’t get to see each other.

Thanks to everyone who has expressed concern.  I appreciate it!

3 mandatory tasks for your brand

1.  Set achievable goals

Between now and January 1st, please sit down for an hour or two and write down some short and long-term goals for 2009.  You should do this every year.  The short-term goals could be monthly or quarterly and your long-term goal should cover the entire year.  This time next year, you should have check marks next to all of your goals as a sign of completion.  Depending on your current status or place in you career, some goals will be attainable and others will not be.  I recommend that you work with the ones you know you can pull off an work like hell to reach them.

2.  Remain focused

A lot of people are getting laid off around you.  You might have had a close friend or family member that is looking for a new job now.  Do not lose focus, even if you have setbacks, uncertainty and depression around you.  In 2009, you must concentrate on building as much personal brand equity as possible, in order to position yourself when our economic climate changes.  Also, if you lose focus, you might end up without a job.  Be confident!

3.  Network constantly

I’ve always said that any new opportunity can change your life.  Well, people lead to opportunities, meaning that any new person you meet can change your life for the better.  I don’t go to sleep until I’ve met five new people.  In 2009, this will double.  If you aren’t on social networks or aren’t going to network events, you need to start ASAP.  Also, start thinking about whose already in your current network.  Your family, friends, teachers, classmates and coworkers can help as well.  They all have networks already accounted for and, with permission, you can tap them.

13 Comments »

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  1. Great ideas for the New Year. If I may add one thing, which I’m sure is implied by number 2: constantly review your goals. Make sure you are always working toward one of your goals, and check them off as you complete them.

    Sorry to hear about your grandparents, you are in my prayers.

    -Mike

    Comment by Mike Tieden — December 26, 2008 #

  2. Hey Dan I hadn’t heard about your family’s troubles this week. I’m very sorry to hear that, and hope all of your extended family members heal and get feeling better soon.

    Be thankful that they are still here with you. Although it is hard, try not to hold onto blame. I once drove my car straight over a center divider at 45mph because of lighting/visibility conditions—didn’t even see it.

    Thank you for the Christmas wishes. Hope your family gets through the rough patch and has a decent holiday season, and I wish you all the best in the new year! I know you will do well with your strong brand and your self-discipline! :)

    Comment by Cody McKibben — December 26, 2008 #

  3. Merry xmas to you and thanks for visiting my site. I will appreciate your assessment of the content when next you visit.

    Comment by yinka olaito — December 26, 2008 #

  4. Great personal branding advice, Dan. Goal setting is critical. And the act of documenting your goals and reading them every day will help you reach them. If you remind yourself of what’s important to you every day, it will make it easier to know what to say ‘yes’ to and what to say ‘no’ to. That kind of focus is critical to goal achievement.

    And remember what Donald Trump – one of the world’s strongest personal brands – says: As long as you are going to be thinking, think big. So set your goals high!

    Best.
    William
    http://www.reachcc.com

    Comment by William Arruda — December 26, 2008 #

  5. I hope your grandparents recover quickly.

    You offer great advice. May you and your family have a happy holiday season despite your current troubles.

    Comment by C. Arnold — December 26, 2008 #

  6. Encouraging people to remain focussed is definately important as networking and social media while good for many things often distracts us from our appropriate paths never to be recovered. I immediately wanted to compliment you on this post but was distracted by the news of your family. Somehow my compliment has or needs to be changed now to I’m sorry to hear of their injuries and hope they will recover soon.

    Comment by Robert "Butch" Greenawalt — December 26, 2008 #

  7. sorry to hear about your grandparents (and Uncle) and hope they bounce back quickly

    Comment by Beth Kanter — December 26, 2008 #

  8. Dan,

    A Great blog!

    Yes. Setting goals is critical! SMART goals! Here is Why 83% of all new year’s resolutions fail: http://www.avivshahar.com/why-83-of-all-new-year%E2%80%99s-resolutions-fail/

    One more thought to share with you – to have a great personal brand live a memorable life: http://www.avivshahar.com/a-memorable-life/

    Regards,

    Aviv Shahar
    http://www.avivconsulting.com

    Comment by Aviv Shahar — December 26, 2008 #

  9. Yes, #3 is where a lot of the ‘relationship oil’ of personal networks helps turn goal-inspired actions into results.

    This takes time and an ongoing ’sweat equity’ investment – but don’t discount the influence of serendipity in your life and career in 2009.

    It’s the year of the ox! Good luck.

    Comment by Mark McClure — December 27, 2008 #

  10. I’m sorry to hear about your family catastrophy. I hope your grandmother has a speedy recovery and that she and your grandfather will be together again soon.

    Comment by Anita Y. — December 27, 2008 #

  11. Dan,

    Good post. It’s simple and straightforward. 2008 has been a very hectic year and I’m finding the busier I get the less organized I am. This must change. I’m resolute to be more focused in 2009.

    Hope the family gets better soon.

    Ken Lyons,
    http://metarocketseo.com

    Comment by ken lyons — December 27, 2008 #

  12. Dan,
    First of all, I’m sorry to hear about the recent developments surrounding your family. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Secondly, I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and have now added it to my feeder. While I don’t have a blog of my own I am intrigued with the concept of personal-branding. I find your material to be very resourceful – thank you.

    Finally, I agree with your comments within this post. However, I always seem to struggle with the goal-setting excercise and thus struggle to even identify what my goals..any suggesstions?

    Comment by Dan O. — December 29, 2008 #

  13. I’ve been following your blog for some time now.

    I hope the driver of the car that hit your gram gets a pair of sunglasses! I can’t imagine that any reasonable driver would continue to drive a car in blinding conditions. Sad.

    I wish your family the best, Dan.

    Trish

    Comment by Trish Dionne — December 30, 2008 #


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