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Pause. The year is underway, you’ve perhaps set some goals or at least an intention of what you hope to achieve this year. Take a moment to revisit those intentions and focus on one. What is the “one big thing” that would make a major difference to your life – whether work or personal. Focus on achieving that. Something else will always get in the way. But if you need to make one thing happen – be at that one place at a certain time – make it your intention to do it.

Impress. Make your mark and ensure your brand collateral, images, website, social media profiles and the like are an impressive insight into your personal brand. Is your LinkedIn photo and profile truly reflecting your brand and expertise? Does your Facebook cover photo need a new look? You want to leave the right impression on your clients, customers, employees, media, any page visitors and of course YOU. 

Invest in you. Your dress and appearance play a major role in how you express your personal brand. New year – new you. Go through your wardrobe and get rid of anything that doesn’t serve you well any more. Start afresh and begin to build a wardrobe to enhance and express an image you'd like to project. Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to you but also appropriate for the work you do. After all the ones you need to impress are your clients and customers. Update other items outside of work – new active wear or sleepwear. Even a small purchase will revitalise you, your look and how you feel.

Network. Get out there. There are always networking events on in every town and city and they are a wonderful way to get to know others. Don’t think of networking as prospecting or an uncomfortable way to meet new people. It is about meeting like-minded people who you can build rapport with and perhaps eventually a working relationship. Be part of your industry association and go along to conferences and regular meetings. You will always learn something from these encounters and as a bonus build awareness of you and your brand. 

Know what to say. At a networking event or a meeting introduction know how to answer the question, “So what so you do?” Come up with a short sentence that is about you, what you do and how you help others – your clients or customers. Try out a few ways of saying it until it feels right for the various scenarios where you may need to introduce yourself. When you are out and about networking, let more of the authentic you come across – in a mindful way of course. Proudly share your accomplishments and put your opinion across. Ask others about themselves and listen to their stories. Business manners, netiquette and social skills – are the ‘little things’ that count.  

Upbeat Attitude. Personal branding in my opinion is about making the most of who you are – changing what you can – and accepting what you can’t. Learn to identify your positive qualities and project the positive side of you. Often, we don’t realise how we come across to other people and for many of us the issue is generally how we feel about ourselves – our self-image. Our self-esteem influences our behaviour, actions, moods and relationships with people. To lift yourself out of any negativity, think back to a time when you nailed it, received an award, gave a great presentation or won a piece of business and hold your head high. 

Say thank you. Be grateful for every step forward toward your goal. Often, we are our harshest critic and think that one step backward means stop. Pat yourself on the back or give yourself a small reward whenever you make a positive move in the right direction. Keep building on your successes. And remember to thank other people who may have assisted you on the way.