Learning about your personal brand should be a constant action, but back to school is an opportune time to take a longer look at how you are managing your personal brand.
With kids heading back to school, many parents are feeling a mix of excitement and relief.
But September doesn’t just bring a fresh start for students—it’s a great time for us to reflect on our personal and professional growth, too.
Much like school teaches the basics, your personal brand needs its own core principles to stay strong.
I like to call them the 5Rs of personal branding.
Let’s dive in and see if your brand is making the grade!
1. Relevance – Are You Focused on What Really Matters?
As Simon Sinek puts it: “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress, working hard for something we love is called passion.”
So, the first step is checking in on your relevance. Are you pursuing something that fuels your passion or just chasing stress?
Take a moment to list the skills and experience needed in your field.
Do you have them?
If there’s a gap, make a plan to bridge it with courses, mentors, or hands-on experience.
Stay sharp by consistently aligning your work with what’s important in your industry.
2. Resonance – Are You Making the Right Connections?
Who are the key people you need to reach?
Whether it’s clients, colleagues, or decision-makers in your industry, you need to resonate with them.
This means not only showcasing what you do but clearly communicating the value you bring.
Marcus Buckingham said, “Link your strengths to measurable results. Employers love concrete data.”
Share your successes with those who matter in a way that speaks to their needs. Help them understand how having you around will benefit them and make you their go-to person.
3. Relation – Who Are You Surrounding Yourself With?
“We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with,” says Jim Rohn
There is a lot of truth to this. The people you interact with can either boost your personal brand or drag it down.
Evaluate your network—are they pushing you to grow and improve?
If not, it might be time to expand your circle. Seek out those who inspire you, and don’t forget to be just as supportive to others.
The best networks work both ways.
4. Remarkability – What Sets You Apart?
In a crowded field, standing out is critical.
What makes you memorable?
What do people say about you when you’re not in the room?
Seth Godin famously said, “You are either remarkable or invisible.”
Don’t be afraid to lean into what makes you unique.
Whether it’s a special skill, a fresh perspective, or an approach no one else is using, make sure your brand is worth remembering for all the right reasons.
5. Real – Are You Authentic?
There’s no point in trying to be something you’re not. Pretending to be someone else only leads to stress and exhaustion.
Authenticity is the real secret to success—when you are true to who you are, everything else falls into place.
Brené Brown explains it best: “We are drawn to people who are real and down-to-earth. We love authenticity and we know that life is messy and imperfect.”
Embrace who you are, flaws and all. The right people will be attracted to the real you.
Take Action on Your Brand Today
Now that you’ve walked through the 5Rs, it’s time to put these ideas into action.
Set a few simple, measurable goals for improving your personal brand this month.
Whether it’s building new skills, reaching out to your network, or just reflecting on what makes you unique, a little effort goes a long way.
So, what’s your next step?
When you’re ready here is how I can help you;
Work with me and my team on defining and growing your personal brand and building your business. Let’s set up an initial call to get to know each other and discuss what that might look like – get in touch here https://paulcopcutt.com/contact/