The #1 Best Time to Build Your Personal Brand
Sima Dahl, CSP?, AS, MBA
International Keynote Speaker, Business Trainer & Executive Mentor | Personal Branding & Leadership | B2B Social Selling | Online & Onstage Since 2008 #SwayFactor
Today marks the 19th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on America. I was on a stair-climber at the gym, listening to music while casually watching the TV hung above my head when the Breaking News alerts hit the airwaves. I remember thinking it was a drill, that it couldn't be real, but as we all now know it was, in fact, a waking nightmare. There were four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda that day and as I drove home listening to the horrific details unfold, all I could think about was the people I loved and if they were safe. Were more planes headed to Chicago?
As the day wore on and the full impact of the day's events began to settle in my bones, I couldn't help but think about my job search. The dotcom bubble burst in March of 2000 and in December of that year I was just another statistic getting her pink slip. It had been a long and grueling search with no foreseeable end in sight. I picked up freelance work here and there... I even took a part-time retail position to, as my dad would say, "make scratch." I was raised to believe that no honest job was beneath me, and I felt the Universe deserved proof. In hindsight, that part-time job gave my open-ended weeks' much-needed structure, and being accountable to the store-owner gave me a sense of purpose
Whenever someone in one of my workshops tries to tell me that it's not a *good time* to work on their personal brand, I am reminded of those dark hours when the world felt as if it was falling apart and I thought I might never find meaningful employment again. I think about eight years later, in the middle of an economic depression, when I started Sway Factory, Inc.
Dear reader, the #1 best time to build your personal brand is now.
Today also marks six months to the day since the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. In the US, we're approaching 200,000 COVID-related deaths and again people tell me they don't want to rock the boat... that there is just too much upheaval and uncertainty to risk sticking their neck out.
Here's what I know: there is no "perfect" time. And in the absence of perfect, we're essentially measuring time as we might measure infinite shades of gray. Now. Now is the only time we have. It's always the best time to bet on you.
#NeverForget
President- Lynn Hazan & Assoc, Relationship & Storytelling Recruiter in Communications & Marketing, Career Consultant, Speaker, Storyteller, Interactive Presenter. 3 Time Performer: Story Slam, 2024 Networlding Winner
4 年Sima: I remember those crazy days as if they were yesterday... and yet, there is no time like the present to move ahead with your life's dreams. I have discovered during the Covid Pandemic that people have been more accessible than I have ever experienced in my 35 years as a recruiter. Use it to your advantage. I'm not saying to be opportunistic. Just look at the doors you can now open. Try it. Lynn P.S. We have jobs to fill!
I help Training, HR and OD consultants increase their reach, impact and profits through blended online program design, development and delivery.
4 年I love your insightful posts Sima!
Not working at workers kluwer
4 年I remember you when you came to the Vibration Institute.
Elite Midlife Creator-and Consultant | middle-aged men and women wizard leading them to live their best years through the use of my Elite Strategies.
4 年Sima-Your post comes for at the perfect time. Although today immense uncertainty is contagious and spreading rapidly, I will start this October new proffesinal chapter, and your post cames as a pleasant and comforting support.