Personal Branding For Dummies
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Having a vision for your personal brand means imagining your ideal version of how you’ll use your mission. It’s an external process and describes what you see as possible in the world.

A successful vision contains several elements:

  • It’s written down and is in the present tense as if you’ve already accomplished it.

  • It contains strong descriptors to create a vivid picture, making it feel possible to achieve.

  • Your vision is often bigger than what you individually can accomplish but includes the role you’ll take to contribute to the vision. An example of a large vision is to live in a world where everyone has enough food. Chances are, you can’t accomplish that goal on your own, but you can volunteer at the local food bank and give money to a world hunger organization.

  • It’s clear and powerful, and it encourages you to want to accomplish your vision. A well-written vision statement helps you consciously create and move from what currently is to what could be.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to outline your vision:

  • When you think of the best version of yourself, what are you doing for work?

  • What would you do if you weren’t afraid to fail?

  • What would your ideal picture of yourself be doing if you could do exactly what you wanted to?

Consider a specific mission statement and see how it would expand into a vision:

  • Mission: “To bring order from chaos.”

  • Vision: “I work for a biotech company that takes me no more than 30 minutes to get to each day. I manage a department overseeing a cancer drug where we provide the highest level of quality control. I’m contributing to a vital medicine that heals cancer patients and gives people more time on earth with their friends and family. I spend my weekends organizing food at the food bank.”

One of the most powerful reasons to create a vision statement is that it takes you from focusing on your daily tasks and elevates you to a larger place in the world. It provides consideration that your work is in service to a larger purpose and carries you through times of uncertainty.

Just think if everyone wanted to be part of something bigger than themselves — perhaps world hunger would end or everyone would at least see that they’re all connected in the larger world.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Susan Chritton is a Master Personal Brand Strategist, Executive Career Coach, and Master Career Counselor. She guides professionals looking to engage their authentic self in the world through personal branding. Visit her website at www.susanchritton.com.

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