Discovering your purpose and passions
In terms of building a strong personal brand, self-awareness is key.
The biggest no-no is being inauthentic. You can only do you, so, if you haven’t done the work, it’s time to get to know yourself: the good, the bad and the ugly. You first need to own your wonderfully human flawed self.
Draw influence, learn and listen to others that inspire you but realise developing an authentic personal brand is the long game.
Taking time to find a sense of purpose, or as the case is for so many of us, purposes, is far more rewarding than any other growth hacks that exist.
I hope these tasks can help you journal and look deeper into who you are and what your gift to give is.
Remember the universe cannot resist authenticity.
1. Advice to your former self
Imagine you are meeting yourself five years ago. What advice would you give, knowing what you know now? What are the areas in which you’d have some knowledge to share?
2. “IN FLOW” Moments Exercise
A: Think back on your life. Choose three to five times when you felt most alive and creatively inspired, times when you were in- flow and all sense of time diminished. How would you describe these moments?
B: When you think about the answers to question 2 what do they tell you about the sort of environments you thrive in?
3. Your Perfect Day
Picture yourself waking up in the morning.
What does your life look like? What do your surroundings look like? Who’s with you? What do you do upon rising? What next?
Keep describing your day until the moment you shut your eyes at night.
4. Your History
What have you done in the past? What subjects did you study and what projects have you initiated?
*Look for experiences you really enjoyed, not just around achievements but the tasks involved, scratch a little deeper into why you found them enjoyable. Get to know yourself and what tasks make you tick.
5. The Close Friends Test
What do you spend your time thinking about and discussing with your closest friends, when you're least inhibited?
6. The Apartment Test
Take a look around. Pretend you’re not you. What kind of books are there? How is the space decorated? Are there any items that stand out? What words would you use to describe this person? What are they into?
– Adapted from Laura Doonin's Purpose and Passions Worksheet
7. Helping Others
When do people come to you for help and what do they ask for?
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8. Emerging Interests
What have you been meaning to learn more about? Are there any new interests you’ve started to explore?
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9. Feedback from 3-5 friends or work colleagues
Ask your trusted network what they think you are good at and how they would describe you to other people? If you are brave enough ask for some areas, you could improve on too. * remember don’t take it personally!
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11. The Bucket List
What are some things you’d like to experience before it’s too late? Get honest here no dream is too big, small or silly.
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