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Everything You Do Is Branding

SOMEONE IS WATCHING YOU. Sounds kind of creepy, doesn't it? Your brand is always on display. People are always paying attention, so be aware. Transparency is a word that is tossed around far too often in my opinion. What does it even mean to be transparent? Most mean it as being real: being open with your audience, and proving you have nothing to hide.

That's all well and good, but the reality is that you are transparent whether you like it or not. It's not a strategy like some so-called gurus will tell you. You don't implement transparency. You're always being transparent because you're always being watched.

Everything you do is branding.

Every conversation you have is branding.

Every person you associate with is branding.

Everything you wear is branding.

Everything you say is branding.

Everywhere you hang out is branding.

Everything you don't do is branding.

You are constantly being evaluated and judged. Your personal brand encompasses everything about you: who you associate with, how you dress, your sense of humor, your hobbies, your style, your charisma, and your abilities. So you must be aware that your brand is in the spotlight 24/7.

Your brand either works for you or against you, but it always works.

A friend of mine has a bad habit of constantly complaining about her job. It's what she talks about 90 percent of the time. Of course, everything bad about her job is the boss's fault. She's the perfect employee. This negativity and bad ...

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