Day 86: Branding

Let's talk about something that's often misunderstood. When I say "branding," what pops into your head? Probably corporations with their fancy logos, catchy slogans, and those adverts that somehow know exactly when you're most vulnerable to buying another appliance you don't need.

But here's the thing... branding isn't just for businesses trying to sell you overpriced coffee in minimalist cups. It's actually something far more personal and potentially transformative than we give it credit for.

What Even Is Personal Branding Anyway?

Think about the first human "brand" if you will. Back in Genesis, God essentially gave Adam a personal brand: "caretaker of Eden." Simple job description, decent benefits package, minimal dress code. One rule to follow. And then... well, we know how that ended up.

The serpent came along and essentially offered a "brand upgrade", "You will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5, NIV). Talk about an identity crisis! Adam and Eve fell for the oldest rebranding pitch in history, and suddenly they went from "confident naked gardeners" to "ashamed fig-leaf fashion pioneers."

The point? Even biblical characters had personal brand issues. Makes me feel a bit better about my own confused LinkedIn profile, honestly.

Authenticity: The Non-Negotiable Ingredient

You know what's properly exhausting? Pretending to be someone you're not.

In Psalm 139:14, David writes, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Not "I praise you because I've successfully convinced everyone I'm something I'm not." The bloke was onto something.

There's this whole movement in self-help literature about "finding your authentic self", from Brené Brown's work on vulnerability to Stephen Covey banging on about "principles" in his "Seven Habits" book. But here's the kicker – they're essentially talking about personal branding without using the term.

Being authentic doesn't mean unleashing every unfiltered thought into the universe. (Thank goodness, because my 3 AM thoughts about whether penguins have knees should probably stay private.) It means aligning your external expression with your internal values.

Or as my grandmother would say, "Stop trying to be a strawberry if God made you a potato." Gran wasn't known for elegant metaphors, but she had a point.

The Practical Bit: Building Your Brand Without Losing Your Soul

Right, enough philosophical pondering. Let's get down to the how-to bits:

Know Thyself (Not Just Thy Selfie)

Before you can brand yourself, you need to know what you're working with. As Proverbs 14:8 says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways."

This means actually sitting down and asking some properly uncomfortable questions:

• What am I genuinely good at? (Not what I wish I was good at)
• What values would I defend even if it cost me something?
• What consistently brings me joy? (Apart from cheese. Everyone loves cheese.)

Consistency Is Your Best Friend

Brands don't zig-zag all over the place. Can you imagine if McDonald's suddenly started selling gourmet sushi? The world would tilt on its axis.

In Matthew 5:37, Jesus advises, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" Basically, be consistent, mate.

This doesn't mean never evolving. It means changing with purpose and transparency. Think of it as character development rather than a personality transplant.

The Audience Paradox

Here's where it gets properly interesting. The more you try to please everyone, the less distinctive your personal brand becomes.

In his book "Start with Why," Simon Sinek argues that great leaders and brands don't focus on WHAT they do but WHY they do it. People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

So maybe stop obsessing over getting everyone to like you? It's exhausting and, frankly, impossible. As the saying goes, "You could be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there will still be someone who hates peaches."

The Paradox of Success

Here's the strange thing about personal branding, the moment you make it all about yourself, you've already failed.

The strongest personal brands are built on service, on adding value, on making a difference. As Jesus said in Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you will be your servant."

Research from the field of positive psychology, particularly the work of Martin Seligman, suggests that the most fulfilled people are those who use their strengths in service of something greater than themselves.

So perhaps the secret to powerful personal branding isn't self-promotion but self-donation. Not "look at me" but "here's how I can help."

The Final Word

Building a personal brand isn't about creating a false image or manipulating perceptions. It's about clarity, consistency, and contribution.

Your personal brand should be an authentic expression of your best self not perfect, but purposeful. Not flawless, but faithful to your values and vision.

And if you mess up occasionally? Well, that's called being human. Even the most carefully curated brands have their "New Coke" moments.

So go ahead. Build your brand. But remember that the most compelling personal brands aren't built on perfection but on purpose.

Go out there, find your purpose and brand yourself authentically.

Because this is what we do now!