How Do You Want To Be Perceived?

During a group session I recently delivered we were discussing one of the questions that needs to be considered when developing your personal brand. The answer acts as a guideline for everything you do. 

How do you want to be perceived?

It is an easy question and the answer can help you move the needle immediately in creating an authentic impression that aligns with your brand. 

Note: I did not ask, “how do you think you should be perceived” it is important for you to answer, “how do you want to be perceived”. Sometimes people think they need to fit into a certain prototype; you have a specific role and this is how you should be in that role. The goal here is for you to define how you want to be perceived as a person, all the time in every situation. No matter what!

A participant shared he wants to be perceived as confident and calm. Than preceded to ask, “What can I do when I am talking to a colleague and he makes me angry?”

My sons would be rolling their eyes at the response to this question because they have heard it so often. NO ONE can make you angry! I’m not suggesting it is easy to not react to someone when they are pushing your buttons though it is absolutely possible to remain composed. 

Knowing how you want to be perceived helps you in defining the behaviour you choose to live by. You get to play by your rules! You have the power to choose and have absolute control over how you behave.

We have all, at least once, given our power away to another person by reacting. We get hooked in and most often we don’t realize it until it is too late. I have had clients say, “he/she made me” or  “everyone else is doing it!” Yes these are responses from grown people. We behave badly than don’t even stop to face the truth or consider our part.

If you are interested in wanting to be perceived in a particular way you need to act accordingly and own it! All the time not just when it is easy.

To help you achieve success start with the end in mind. Know the desired impression you want to establish. Here are three tips to remember:

 1.  You are 'the boss' of you! No one can make you do anything you don't want to. You choose your behaviour.

 2.  You're in control of the impression you create. Don’t allow the bad behaviour of someone else to effect or change yours. If you react allowing yourself to get hooked into the negative energy of another individual you make the decision to play by their rules. When you know how you want to be perceived (the words you want others to use to describe you) it better equips you to respond consciously by engaging in the behaviour that aligns with the experience you want to create.

3.  You always have a choice. Whether consciously or unconsciously, YOU decide how to behave. You have total control over your behaviour and it is important to own it.

Decide how you want to be perceived and act accordingly. This will have you playing the lead role in your own movie versus a supporting role in someone else’s. Choose to live consciously and own who you are!

Align yourself with what matters most to you. Live your brand fully expressed with intention and purpose to achieve outstanding results!