Defining Your Personal Brand with Matt Schiering

Think of your favorite brand.

What does the logo look like?

What feelings does it evoke?

Why do you interact with it?

What value does it add to your life?

Now think of your best friend.

How do they present themselves?

What feelings do they evoke?

Why do you spend time with them?

What value do they add to your life?

Hmmmm.

Now, how would that same best friend describe you?

That’s your personal brand.

Hey.... yeah, you already have one.

But are you satisfied with the description?

Or is it time to rebrand?

In this week’s episode of The Orange Butterfly Effect, I got to have FUN with Marketing Maven Matt Schriering, CMO, University Professor, Strategy Consultant, Author, and entertainer. Matt shares his expertise on finding your personal brand and living an authentic life.

Matt's advice? Simple and sweet.

"You do you."

But what does this mean for you?

Aligning with your authentic self is hard work. Why? Because before we can align, we have to truly know ourselves, and that’s where the real work begins (or continues, if you’re already on the journey).

I love Bevy Smith’s TED Talk, How to Discover Your Authentic Self (at Any Age), and this week’s challenge is inspired by her message and the wisdom she shares.

So here’s your challenge: Pause and ask yourself (honestly)

Am I doing this because it feels true to me, or because it looks good to others?

Behind the Mic

Yeah… this topic, this episode, and especially the question " Am I doing this because it feels true to me, or because it looks good to others?” always makes me take a step back.

It’s scary to live an authentic life. Vulnerable, even.

A silly example, but all summer long my drink of choice was a tequila with water and extra lime. Why? Because that’s what I saw other people ordering, people who seemed to have it all together, prioritizing 'health and wellness', while also enjoying a cocktail. I thought, “Well, I should order that too.”

Guess what? I don’t even like tequila waters with extra lime. Not one bit. I like Manhattans and wine.

It’s funny, right? But it’s also a perfect example of how easy it is to make choices that are just a little out of alignment, all for the sake of what looks good to others, instead of what actually feels right for us.

So, cheers to choosing the drink (or whatever it may be) that truly lights your fire.

Tune in. Take what you need. Pass it on. ✨