Have you ever wondered how people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and others made it to the top? As a young girl I dreamt of being a highly successful attorney. One that had it all… the nice house, the nice car, and certainly the finest guy (just joking)! While my plan as a young child didn’t fully develop as expected, I have managed to find success in many areas of my life. Over the last few weeks I have been doing a lot of soul searching. Thinking about what my next big breakout moment will be. I know inside that I have more in me. So I started thinking about successful people that have graced this earth and what characteristics they have in common that led them to the top of the success ladder. Which of these areas have I mastered and which ones can I improve on. In my research I came across some common themes or characteristics that many of those that have risen to the top have.
Be passionate about what you do: Doors open for successful people because they are passionate about what they do and where they are going. You have to find value in what you do. If you don’t believe that what you do is of value you will quickly find yourself falling off the ladder not climbing it!
Never get complacent: Successful people are always looking for ways to improve what they do. They know that where they are right now is not where they are going to be in 5 years. They have a burning desire to make mountains move.
Work hard: You’ve heard this a thousand times in order to play hard you have to work hard. Enough said.
Always continue to educate yourself: Highly successful people have a thirst for knowledge that even a Big Gulp from 7-Eleven can’t quench! They ask a million questions and are reading up on various topics all of the time. But what makes them even more special is that they don’t just study…they APPLY the things they learn!
Hold yourself accountable: Successful people are responsible people. They hold themselves accountable and take responsibility for the things that happen in their lives. That is the good and the bad things. When things don’t go as plan they own up to it and learn from it.
Chill out: Stressing out over issues that do not appear to be moving in our favor is counter-productive. Those who are successful can manage their stress levels well. They don’t waste precious time squandering away in anxiety. Instead, they find solutions to problems and correct them.
Keep your eye on the ball: It’s the 9th inning of the game and your team is down by one run. The bases are loaded and you’re up to bat. Does your coach tell you to just go up to bat, close your eyes, and wing it or does he tell you to hit a line drive past 1st base to allow the third basemen to come in home? Okay, so I might not be a baseball guru but you get the point. It would be, for a lack of better words CRAZY to go up to bat with your eyes closed and wing it. You have to have a game plan to WIN! Without a game plan to get you to where you are going you will find yourself striking out. Successful people see visions of themselves in the future and create game plans to get them to where they want to be.
Think outside the box: Successful people are creative! They strategize and come up with new ways to improve what they are currently doing. They take chances to see what works. They don’t wait around for someone to tell them what they should be trying… they seek out new ideas on their own.
Don’t be a day-dreamer be a day-doer: Successful people take action! They don’t spend their days dreaming about their next big move. Instead, they spend their days developing their next big move. You might be thinking to yourself if you can’t dream it, you can’t see it, and therefore can’t be it. That would be a correct statement but what sets successful people apart from those who are just getting by is that when they have dreamt their knew idea they start working on it right away. They don’t wait until the idea is just perfect, or the time is just perfect. There is no time like the present.
Network: So you have all of the above star qualities but still can’t catch your next big break? You have to get connected. What good is it to know you are fantastic if you don’t have the connections to get in front of people so that they know it as well. Successful people have many connections. They know everyone in their industry and even many outside it. They work on staying in touch and letting people know what they are doing. This isn’t bolstering or bragging. It is strategic planning. You have to know who is at the top of the ladder and they have to know you are trying to climb it so they can help you reach the top.
What characteristics have you found to be most essential as you have climbed up your ladder of success?
7 Steps to Fully Charge Your Personal Brand!
When was the last time you got a job interview? If the answer to this question is "it's been a while," there might be a reason no one is calling you back.
Ten years ago the idea of personal branding hadn't occurred to many people. The ones capitalizing on their brands were socialites like Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and Nicole Richie. Now everyone from mechanics to teachers, and even CEOs should maintain a personal brand and an online presence. You need to be your own publicist when it comes to your career.
Think you don't have to worry about a personal brand? Think again! Competition is tight and there are more people actively seeking work than ever before. This isn't just a result of increased unemployment rates but also due to the fact that longevity on one job is falling by the wayside. Trends are showing an increase in the number of times a person will change jobs during the course of their career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last year the median job tenure for all demographics was 4.6 years. However, for those between the ages of 25 to 34 that number dropped significantly to 3.2 years. Now is the time to be proactive about our career future before we end up with a dead battery!
Today the best way employers find job candidates is through referrals. It is crucial for career growth that your name is recognized and your accomplishments are known by as many people as possible. Effectively branding yourself within your industry will help you become the one being sought out for new opportunities instead of the one seeking out new opportunities.
The good news is, with the introduction of TheProfessional.me, MicroTrain's new professional branding platform, and the prevalence of social networking, professional branding is more accessible and easier to achieve than ever before!
Here are 7 steps to give your personal brand a full charge!
1. Register on TheProfessional.me
The easiest way to take control of your professional brand is register for TheProfessional.me. Developed by MicroTrain, this branding platform features a full suite of career tools, fine-tuned to make mastering your brand as simple as possible. TheProfessional.me targets the main aspects of your professional brand to help you create the kind of content employers love. From our Elevator Pitch Generator to the LinkedIn Profile Analyzer, TheProfessional.me has the tools it takes to make sure you're always putting your best foot forward.
2. Define Your Identity
In order to create a successful personal brand you have to establish who you are and what you represent. I have worked with many clients who are self-professed jack-of-all-trades. While you may have a variety of experience that you would like to showcase, chances are not all of your experience is relevant. Employers want to see a clearly defined image. They should understand how easy easy it will be to collaborate with you. Do some soul searching to find out exactly who you are professionally and where you want to be. Position yourself for the job you want not the one you necessarily have right now.
3. Establish Your Social Media Presence
With a variety of social media sites available online the ability to increase your visibility within your profession is fairly reachable and can cross over internationally if you so desire. Sites like Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have made a push in the social media arena. Approximately, 80% of job candidates are finding jobs through their professional connections, so it's essential that you maintain your social networks accordingly. Establish a professional page on various social media sites and get connected with others in your industry. Keep it professional and never blend your personal life with your professional image.
4. Maintain a Professional Email Address
Your professional email should be separate from your personal email. I have worked with clients that have used personal email addresses that have very unique and unusual names. Remember the goal of your personal brand. Think of a professional name for your email address and keep it simple. Things that are too strange or cutesy can leave a bad taste in an potential employer’s mouth.
5. Create a Personal Website
For as little as $10.00 a year you can make a big impact on your personal brand by establishing a personal website. This is a great way to market your talents and showcase your accomplishments. Many sites such as GoDaddy.com have website builders that will allow you to customize the look and feel of your website without any knowledge of web design. Once you have created your personal website make sure to add it to your social media pages to gain greater visibility.
6. Start a Professional Blog
To go along with your website, consider blogging about subject matters you are experienced in. You can set up a free blog site at wordpress.com. Blogging will help establish you as an expert in your field. You can also link your blog post to your social media sites and post them on various discussion boards.
7. Get Affiliated with Industry Organizations
Conduct a web search to find out what industry organizations hold the most credibility within your profession. Most industry organizations well allow you to become a member for a monetary fee. Additionally, many have certifications exams available that will validate your knowledge and expertise in your industry. Keep in mind memberships and certifications can be costly, so doing your research will ensure your investment doesn't go to waste.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What are you doing to brand yourself?