New Adventures for the Old You (part 2)

 

So how do you reinvent yourself? As mentioned in the previous post there is no one formula to fit into the 're-branding yourself' equation. So I am not here to give you the silver bullet solution. But what I can do is share some of my own personal strategies that I have used as I have continuously reinvented myself over the years from architectural designer to sales consultant to Peace Corps Volunteer to diversity recruiter to branding strategist . . . and beyond.

 

1. Be the Sun Tzu of Confidence. For those who don't know, Sun Tzu was a mysterious Chinese warrior-philosopher who compiled, well over two thousand years ago, the 'The Art of War'. In this guide he outlines in great detail how to overcome your enemy - decisively. It is one of the most prestigious and influential writings on strategy in the world today. In the art and war of building self confidence there is a thin line between arrogance and confidence. Beginning to understand that thin line and how to navigate it effectively allows you to step your game up to the next level. When you understand in great detail the art of exuding confidence, your ability to reinvent yourself has become that much easier.

2. Have A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder). Reinventing yourself is a creative process and one thing that can be said about people who are creative is that they are constantly moving onto the next thing. Continuously developing new ideas about who and what you are is a good thing. Having a short attention span and mentally staying on the move allows for you to ponder the many possibilities. Often you have to come up with a couple dozen ideas just for one to actually work. Once you arrive at an idea that sticks then slow down on the A.D.D. Easier said than done. . .

3. Make your first and last name 'diversity'. Figuratively speaking of course. In the previous post we talked about Outkast's 'multiple personalities'. In order to branch out into other areas you can't know or be into one or two things only. Having an array of interests and cultivating different sides to your personality helps the reinvention process not be so rocky. If you are a teacher but have always been interested in fashion, marketing or international trade (and have subscribed to magazines on these topics, followed news stories in these areas, etc) it becomes that much easier to wrap your mind around your potential transition versus one day waking up and deciding that you no longer want to be an IT technician but now you want to be an author (and you have never, ever written anything). Not impossible, but significantly harder.

4. Make sure you know and understand that Shift Happens. Many people go about their lives in a bubble (for better or for worse) doing things the same way this year as they did last year. While the world around them is changing and evolving. One day you wake up and you (and your department) are being down sized. Shift happens. The marketplace changes and business as usual is no longer usual. To be leaner business processes need to be streamlined to adapt to technological developments and new market realities. So to keep up or stay ahead shift needs to happen. When you are aware that there is a world happening beyond what you may be familiar with, that will at least put you in a position to ask the question: "What happens if my world changes?"

5. Act your shoe size not your age. Well sort of. In saying this what I mean is be like a kid. Reinventing yourself means to look at who you are and what you can do from a new perspective. Looking at yourself and the world with new eyes. This is what kids do all the time. They are curious. They ask questions. They are constantly in a world of amazement. They step through the world with unbiased attitudes to their experiences. Now is it unrealistic to see the world through the eyes of a 9 year old? Perhaps. But opening up yourself to new possibilities WILL require you be and do in ways that you may not be used to.

Stay tuned. . .