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I had been struggling all that time to figure out what direction I should go with my business.
Should I continue what I was doing? Should I quit and go back to working for someone else? Or should I do something altogether different?
After having done the life-changing and career-changing activities I’ve outlined below, it all became clear to me what my next move was: shift the mission of my business to support my personal mission.
Once I did this, everything started falling into place!
As a result, I created a personal branding program using the same approaches I used on my own to get unstuck in my career.
Now it’s become my most popular program among my clients and audience. I’ve had the opportunity to present it to a variety of groups including freelancers, artists, other coaches, corporations, and even pastors from remote villages in the Amazon jungle!
Here’s some very nice feedback from one of my program participants:
“Hi Lori, I met you last year when you spoke at a coaches training event and I have to admit your session was by far the best. I love how you blend your passion for adventure and helping people find passion in their work life. After you spoke I felt more confident and enthused about my own career path.”
The 12 Days of Purpose
The holidays are a great time to discover what your purpose is in this current season of your life. Especially if you are contemplating a big change for 2018, including a job or career change or promotion, a start-up business, a retirement, etc.
Because the program I’ve created has helped so many people, I’m sharing an outline of it as my gift to you this holiday season.
(NOTE: To purchase the on-demand video program in its entirety, go to Personal Branding: How to Know What Makes You YOUnique and AWEthentic. 45% of the proceeds go to support the non-profit Justice & Mercy International.)
You can work through it over the holidays in order to start your new year off right, or at any other point in the year when you need it most. Enjoy!
Phase I: Clarify Your Purpose
Day 1:
Spend some time reflecting on what kind of person you want to be and to be known for (think in terms of traits instead of accomplishments).
What do you want people to say about you at your funeral?
And most importantly, why do you do the things you do? (Recommended reading: Start With Why by Simon Sinek.)
Day 2:
Take an inventory of your strengths, limitations, accomplishments, and how your skills benefit others.
List the things you’re good at, the things you’re not good at, your biggest failures and the lessons you learned from them, and your reasons for why you like to do the things you do best.
Day 3:
Be open to constructive criticism.
Ask your friends, family, co-workers, clients, etc. what they perceive to be your strengths and weaknesses.
Note the things that show up as patterns and the things that surprise you.
Day 4:
Based on your own personal inventory and the feedback from friends, write down what you think makes you unique from other people who do what you do.
See if you can think of additional things that make you unique.
Day 5:
Determine what makes your audience unique.
Who are they (recruiters, potential clients, fans)?
What do they care about?
What’s their biggest challenge or need?
How do your skills meet their need?
How can you serve them with your abilities?
Phase II: Articulate Your Purpose
Day 6:
Once you’ve determined why you do what you do (Day 1), write out your “WHY” in the form of a vision statement.
A vision statement is your goal of what you want to accomplish with your skills and abilities.
For example, the paNASH vision statement is:
“I believe you can find the courage to discover and pursue your passions despite the obstacles you may face. I want to see you actively pursue your passions with flair (‘paNASH’) and confidence, along with responsibility to your purpose in life.”
Day 7:
Write your mission statement.
Your mission statement is HOW you plan to carry out your vision/your WHY.
For instance, the paNASH mission statement is:
“To serve, educate, and encourage you by assisting you with the discovery and pursuit of your passions in a way that honors your purpose and your own vision for success, while amplifying who you are personally and advancing you professionally.”
Day 8:
Craft your Unique Selling Point (USP).
In 140 characters or less, create a statement that summarizes the unique impact you have on your audience.
The paNASH USP is:
“Putting your passion into action!”
Phase III: Package & Present Your Purpose
Day 9:
Make sure you’re able to back up your message with a summary of your credentials and accomplishments.
This can be in the form of a resume, a LinkedIn profile, client testimonials, reviews, letters of recommendation, etc.
Day 10:
Post your message on your social media platforms, your web site, your business card, and other professional collateral.
Day 11:
Foster and maintain relationships with strategic partners and your audience.
Share your purpose and expertise in a variety of outlets, including blogs (your own and others’ where you can guest blog), article posts on LinkedIn and Medium, media interviews (print, online, radio, and TV), comments on others’ posts, etc.
Day 12:
Most of all, learn how to present your message and purpose with confidence and professionalism.
This is something that of course takes practice. Ask for feedback on your presentation with friends, close colleagues, and mentors. Then apply that feedback to improve your message.
More Details:
To purchase the on-demand video program in its entirety, go to Personal Branding: How to Know What Makes You YOUnique and AWEthentic.
45% of the proceeds go to support the non-profit Justice & Mercy International.
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