The Power of Creating Your Personal Brand Board

How much thought have you placed on how you're perceived by others? Some of us spend too much time thinking about other’s perceptions of us, while some spend too little time thinking about it. Humans thrive in community and intentionally thinking through how you want to present yourself to the world will only benefit you and your relationships. Personal branding is the process of identifying your values, aspirations and identity. Creating a personal brand board is the creative process of bringing those values, aspirations and identities to life through visual representation.

This process is not limited to the A-list celebrities we like and follow or entrepreneurs; everyone can benefit from creating and managing their personal brand. The personal brand board is an introspective process that increases self-reflection and builds self-awareness.

What Is a Personal Brand Board?

A personal brand board is a visual collage that encapsulates the essence of your personal brand. It typically consists of images, words, colors, and symbols that represent your goals, values, personality, and aspirations. The concept draws inspiration from vision boards, a practice where people create a visual representation of their goals and dreams. However, a personal brand board goes beyond that; it's about shaping how you want to be perceived by the world and aligning your actions with your desired image.

The Importance of Self-Reflection

Creating a personal brand board begins with self-reflection. In our busy lives, we often overlook the importance of looking inwards and understanding our true selves. Self-reflection helps us identify our strengths, weaknesses, values, passions, and ambitions. It's a journey of discovering what truly makes us unique.

When you start the process of creating your personal brand board, you are forced to confront your own identity. You must ask yourself meaningful questions like:

• What are my core values?
• What are my passions and interests?
• What are my strengths?
• How do I want to live these passions, strengths, and values out?
• How do I want to be perceived by others?

These questions lead you to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want to represent. It's a powerful exercise in self-discovery that can help you align your actions and decisions with your authentic self.

Building Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the foundation of personal development and a key component of building a personal brand. As you create your personal brand board, you'll need to make intentional choices about the elements you include. These choices reflect not only your self-awareness but also your commitment to living in alignment with your values and aspirations.

Here's how building self-awareness through a personal brand board can be transformative:

• Consistency: Your personal brand board acts as a guiding star, reminding you of the image you want to project. This consistency in your actions and communication helps build trust and credibility with others.
• Confidence: By embracing and representing your authentic self, you gain confidence in your personal and professional life. You're more likely to take on challenges and opportunities that align with your brand.
• Clarity: The process of creating a personal brand board forces you to articulate your values and goals clearly. This clarity is beneficial in decision-making, as you can quickly assess whether an opportunity or action is in line with your brand.
• Differentiation: In a crowded world, personal branding sets you apart. It helps you stand out for the unique qualities and values you bring to the table.
• Adaptability: As you grow and evolve, your personal brand board can evolve with you. It's a living document that adapts to your changing self, ensuring your personal brand remains authentic and relevant.

How to Create Your Personal Brand Board

Creating your personal brand board is a creative and fulfilling process. Here's how you can get started:

• Gather materials: Collect images, words, and any other materials you'd like to use. If you are creating a digital board, try using the free version of Canva. 
• Reflect: Take some time to think about your values, goals, interests, and personality. Answer the 5 questions that are listed above to help with this step.
• Create a vision: Visualize how you want your personal brand to be perceived and what you want to achieve. Draw inspiration from images online.
• Design your board: Assemble your vision by arranging images, words, and symbols on a board or digital canvas.
• Strategically position your board: Put your brand board in a place where you can see it, like your screen saver.  

Remember, your personal brand board is a representation of your authentic self, so be true to who you are.

Creating a personal brand board is a powerful journey of self-reflection and self-awareness. It helps you uncover your values, passions, and aspirations, and guides you in presenting your authentic self to the world. Embrace this creative process, and watch how it transforms your personal and professional life. It's time to start the journey of self-discovery and brand-building, one image at a time.