Month: February 2020

Pick the top-5 most relevant and compelling adjectives that describe you:

(or choose your your own)

• analytical
• authentic
• bold
• clear
• compelling
• competent
• consistent
• creative
• daring
• deliberate
• dependable
• determined
• emotional
• fearless
• found
• generous
• genuine
• great
• happy
• logical
• indestructible
• indispensable
• influential
• innovative
• insightful
• irresistible
• joyful
• learned
• logical
• loved
• nurturing
• open
• opinionated
• organised
• real
• relevant
• reliable
• strong
• successful
• trusted
• unique
• valuable
• visible
• wise

Now ask someone else to describe you in one word.

Do you have a match?

Yesterday I was helping out at the University of Cape Town with a business case lecture for their 2nd year Information Systems programme, as part of their partnership with Saratoga.

The lecture opens with an ice-breaker exercise where I simply ask the students to design me a new toaster, as mine has given up the ghost.

They have 5 minutes.

And during this time, they were bustling with ideas as to what the toaster should do and look like — and many unique, crazy and tech-savvy designs were pitched to me at the end.

But sadly none of them met my needs.

Because nobody asked me for my requirements or any constraints I have, in order to design me my brand new toaster.

When you don’t know who you are or what’s important to you, you can’t use who you are to get what you want.

Understanding who you are, what drives you, and the difference you can make is the foundation to finding your career happiness.

(And don’t be who you think other people want you to be. Or try to be somebody else, someone you’re not. Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken.)

Then connect who you are, what you do, how you do what you do and what you want, to direct your journey.

Transform your facts into a good story.

Telling a story that’s interesting, expert, actionable and memorable is the most powerful weapon with which to talk directly to your audiences’ desires.

Crafting an authentic, relevant and compelling narrative will bring your career options, success and satisfaction closer.

What story are you telling?

Purposeful communications and consistent delivery will improve your visibility. Improving your visibility will expand your fan-base, increase serendipity and attract more opportunity.

Doing this deliberately and consistently will create even greater traction. Giving you an abundance of connections, perspectives, possibilities and choices you may not otherwise have realised.

Then, all you have to do is show up.

Stay focused and clear. Deliver your brand promise consistently. Be visible to your target audience constantly.