The two most important days in your life are the day you’re born and the day you figure out why? Mark Twain
Everyone is in marketing and selling, whether we know it or not .Beauty, strength, intelligence, kindness, wealth, power are all ways we advertise our value as human beings.
But, there’s a catch to unleashing one’s full potential. It’s called BRANDING.
Branding is the hidden ‘magical multiplier’ which elevates one’s marketing and selling efforts to the next level .
And there are three magical P’s to power branding, namely Purpose, Priority and Productivity/Performance.
Let’s take a look at how they combine to create a game plan which is ’ made of the right stuff ‘.
Firstly PURPOSE.
Coca Cola’s purpose is ‘to create happiness ‘. Disney’s purpose is ‘to make children smile‘. Starbucks purpose is ‘to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time’.
Great organizational brands are the ones that put purpose before profit, and it’s no different with personal brands.
An estate agent’s purpose is ‘to elevate people’s lifestyles’. A hairdresser’s purpose is ‘to make people feel good’. A doctor’s purpose is ‘to make people healthy’. Purpose happens when one’s passion meets the universe’s needs. And it becomes the key ingredient of productivity/performance .
The next ‘P’ is setting one’s PRIORITIES in life .
It’s one of the most important actions one can ever take. And it’s surprising how most people cannot clearly articulate their top five priorities in life. It’s important because there exists a very fine line between human greatness and human implosion, especially when it’s one’s job to push the human limits.
One only has to look at examples of great sporting champions , like Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorious and Tiger Woods. All were uncertain about their priorities in life. They got it humanly wrong, and paid the price in real life.
While we are all unique human beings, definite patterns of commonality are in play. Here’s a practical guide as to how one’s ‘Big Five ‘ priorities should be stacking up in order to build a power brand.
Number One is placing YOURSELF FIRST – build your personal brand, Brand YOU , so that you come from ‘a position of strength’ – in order to help others.
Number Two is to focus on ‘ YOUR ONE THING’ – YOUR PURPOSE .
It’s your vocation , the one thing that you’re expert at, so that you can positively impact this world
– and make a significant difference.
Then come the other priority investments in life – your FAMILY & FRIENDS , your HEALTH & WEALTH and your desired LIFESTYLE.
Invest time and effort, pay close attention to all , as they can easily be lost !
It’s wise to think of your top five priorities in life as a “four legged table’ . Consider , YOURSELF as the table top . Invest wisely in Brand YOU, by focusing on all four priority legs – to ensure that the table top ( YOU ) remains balanced .
With one’s purpose and priorities in place, the final ‘P’ which remains, is PRODUCTIVITY/PERFORMANCE – aligning one’s top three goals for the current year. Keep them focused on what’s important and meaningful in your life – and know when to say NO to all the other things that are not part of your plan.
Now one has the backbone of a GAME PLAN which is ‘made of the right stuff’ ‘
– the stuff of champions ‘.
It serves as one’s compass in good times, and one’s scaffolding in bad times.
And it provides the inspiration to conquer all those Monday morning motivational blues.
Branding is the difference between motivation and inspiration
* Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Author and ‘Game Changer’ to organizations, sports teams and individuals. He helps take brands to the next level. For more insight, innovation and inspiration please do visit www.thegameplan.co.za. .
If you like to read more in Rob’s ‘Game Changer’ Series – please click on blog page above .
To find our more about Rob’s specialised marketing services please contact him personally at robopie@thegameplan.co.za
