One of the biggest challenges I see women in business face is how to speak about themselves. What title to use, how to talk about their business and really, how they are feeling about themselves.

For women especially, we have so many roles and titles in life. Mum, wife, daughter, business owner, side hustler, employee, yoga teacher, administrator and more.

It can feel like a juggle trying to wear all the hats and fit under all these titles. But the thing is, you can be more than one thing! You can be all of these things at the same time. However, if you try to tell everyone all the things – it becomes overwhelming and confusing, for them and for you.

This is why knowing your story and then knowing which parts to pull out at the right time can be so powerful. This is what a strong and clear personal brand can do for you.

I believe in the power of personal brand in supporting you to own your story, share your message and attract the people you want to work with and create the life you want to live.

But what is personal brand?

Personal brand is how you present yourself and it’s being your authentic self. It’s how you present to the world and how others perceive you.

It’s about how you communicate who you are and how that’s then received, but also what they see and the perception others have of you. The clearer you can be with how you share your message and present yourself, the more aligned the image of you will be in others minds.

Believe it or not, you already have a personal brand! But you may not be in control of how it’s coming across. Ask yourself, “Am I in control of my story?” If you’re not sharing your story, others are making one up about you and for you.

I’ve worked with many clients who have had graphic designers, website developers, social media specialists, business coaches and more to help them – but they are yet to really get to the heart of … and here’s the big question … who they really are!

Asking someone the question “who are you?” can send them into a tailspin. People more often than not don’t know how to answer it. Or they give me a bunch of titles and roles they’ve held in their life.

Knowing who you are means you can have better connections with other people. You know what you want, you know where you’re going and you know who you are interacting with. This is so important if you want to achieve your goals in work and life. Those who are truly connected to who they are and what they stand for feel more fulfilled, successful and have a purpose.

Who are you?

This is a pretty big question. It’s something that a lot of people struggle with. It’s definitely something that my clients struggle with when they come to me.

It’s a big question and a bit of an existential one really. So, maybe not the best place to start!

When you’re trying to find the words to talk about yourself it can actually be easier to ask for the input of others. This doesn’t mean that you let others tell the story for you, definitely not! This is about getting some inspiration and understanding of how other people see us.

Your personal brand is how you promote yourself. It is the unique combination of skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see you. It is the telling of your story, and how it reflects your conduct, behaviour, spoken and unspoken words, and attitudes.

It’s what makes you, you!

So part of your personal brand is how others see you. So why not find out?

Three Words Exercise

Here’s a simple exercise that I do with many of my clients in my group program and one on ones to start finding the words. It’s such a great way to get started with reconnecting to who you are and understanding how the world is seeing you.

So here it is!

1. Ask 5-10 friends, colleagues or family members for the three words they would use to describe you to someone who had never met you.

Keep it simple, don’t overthink it and ask them to get back to you ASAP

2. What three words would YOU use to describe you?

(p.s. do this before you get replies so you have a clear head)

Check for alignment in your words and their words.

Generally my clients love this exercise and find it rather heartwarming.

They even make word clouds with them! I hope you enjoy it too.

All right, off you go.

Want to take it one step further?

Comment below with your three words so we can start to get to know you.

Want another challenge?

Post your three words to your audience on social media! 

Bio:

Emma Lovell is a personal branding coach with a mission to help female leaders to show up and make an impact. Through her business, Lovelly Communications, Emma gives women the tools and support to grow their business, become an authority and build their own unique brand.

She’s a speaker and MC, regularly taking to the physical and virtual stage to speak about business, personal brand, travel and mental health. Emma is also the host of not one, but two podcasts – Lovelly Travels and the Live & Love Your Brand Podcast.

Emma lives on the Gold Coast with her Aquaman husband Mathew, her toddler Finn and their furbaby cat, T’challa. 

Website https://lovellycommunications.com/

Facebook business page https://www.facebook.com/LovellyCommunications/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lovellycomms/ 

Linkedin profile page https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalovelly/