The Personal Branding Blog by Rob Cuesta

NLP - blowing my own horn

OK, I finally got there. After almost 10 years of using NLP both professionally and personally I have been certified by the Tad James Company as a Trainer of NLP, so watch out here on the blog and on my website for announcements of upcoming training courses (or read the main post for a sneak preview of what's coming up).

You don't have to please all of the people all of the time...

There's a principle in pricing a product or service that if you're not turning off a third of your prospects by charging more than they want to pay, you're not charging enough. I happen to believe that the same principle applies right across the spectrum.

What would you do...

... if you only had 6 months left in your job? That is the question facing one of my clients right now. But as I was working with him the other day it struck me that it is something that everyone should be asking themselves, even if they've only just started a new job or business.

Adult ADHD or renaissance (wo)man?

Not strictly speaking a personal branding item, but I spotted an article in yesterday's Times Career supplement that the WHO now 'recognises' that ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) can continue into adult life. Apparently, the symptoms include a compulsion to move on to the next project once the most challenging bits are done, and getting fidgety after sitting still for too long.

Personally, I prefer to point clients to Belbin's definitions of team roles - not everyone is a completer-finisher; some people thrive on challenge while others are quite happy to let someone else handle the challenges then take over and manage the project through to its conclusion.

Alternatively, take a look at  "What Do I Do When I Want to Do Everything?" If you're one of those people who is fascinated by anything and everything; if your bookshelf looks like the main stack at the British Library; if your workshop is full of half-completed projects, fear not: you may be a 'scanner', and the world needs you. Read this book to find out if you are, and why everyone needs a scanner around.

Check back in a few days for a more detailed review

10 things you should do if you make a big mistake

We all make mistakes. On one occasion early in my online career I became an accidental spammer when someone offered me a marketing list of 10,000 names in a specific industry. In my enthusiasm at receiving such a windfall, and with a high profile joint venture to promote, I emailed all 10,000 contacts directly (horror of horrors), promoted my upcoming big-name teleclass (even though they had never heard of me), and invited them to unsubscribe from my list (which they had never signed up to) if they didn't want any more contact from me (which they hadn't wanted in the first place).

An uncomfortable 24 hours followed, as email after email of some of the nastiest, most vitriolic personal attacks I've ever seen poured into my inbox. However, as soon as I realised my mistake I put into action a recovery plan which earned me a lot more emails of thanks and understanding.

Personal Branding Magazine

While I was preparing for my recent trip to Toronto I completely missed the fact that the second edition of the new Personal Branding Magazine has gone live over at personalbrandingmag.com.

Putting the "personal" in your personal brand

Over at Fast Company, Wendy Marx has posted a great article that reminded me of two key things in Personal Branding.

If you’re reading this, the chances are you’re a bit of a maverick...

... and if you’re not, you should be!

mav·er·ick (măv'ər-ĭk, măv'rĭk)

n.

1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
   
2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.

adj.

Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence: maverick politicians; a maverick decision.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. More from Dictionary

Business social networks mature

LinkedIn, the business equivalent of social network sites like Facebook and Myspace, is preparing for an IPO that could potentially value it at anything up to $1bn.

7 ways to stay stuck in your career

The first edition of  ®evolutions has been held up, so just to whet your appetites I've posted a full length article here (and you'll need to sign up to access it).

Entitled '7 ways to stay stuck in your career', it details the ways in which we often block ourselves from making the career changes we want to.