Siddhant Sharma

Lessons for Personal Branding and a Happy Life

Growing up, I never quite understood the meaning of “finding yourself.” I heard people say this in movies, TV shows, and real life all the time. My young mind could not fathom the concept of finding oneself. How do you find yourself? You are you, in flesh and bone. Did you lose yourself like we lose our keys? What does it even mean!? 

But, over the years, life experiences revealed to me what it actually meant. I was 21 when I finally decided to “find myself.” We go all our lives meeting people and trying to figure them out and understand them better. But we do not do that for ourselves. We never really work towards understanding why we are the way we are.

One day, it hit me: a significant factor driving it all boils down to our CORE VALUES. Our actions, mannerisms, and decisions are not random. They are an accumulation of our values, empowering us to live our lives in a way that truly resonates with who we are, rather than just winging it.

Since then, I have discovered the values that truly resonate with me, prioritized them, and shaped my life around them. This has significantly improved my life. I feel content, living a life that I have chosen for myself—moving in a direction that aligns with my values and inspires personal growth.

Personal Branding

Personal branding is the practice of marketing oneself and one’s career as a brand. It involves creating a unique, memorable identity and a consistent message that communicates your skills, personality, expertise, and, most importantly, your values.

How does identifying your values help with Personal Branding?

When you open yourself up, creating an image-driven by your core values, new horizons will be opened for you. Not only will it increase your visibility, but credibility as well. People will see you for who you are – which eventually leads to building lasting relationships with your network. New opportunities will knock at your door leading to professional growth.

So, what did I do to find out my Core Values?

Now that you have decided to embark upon this journey, you might find yourself googling “What are values?” or “How do I find my core values?” – but that won’t do you any good. Reading a list of values and “adopting” them simply won’t help you. It lacks substance. You need to have a strong meaning behind your values. 

Think of your values as the steering wheel of your vehicle. While they steer you in the right direction, you are ultimately in control of the wheel. Meaning, you are the master of your own universe. Your values won’t amount to much unless they actually resonate with you, and you are conscious about living your life in a certain manner. This ‘certain manner’ refers to making decisions and taking actions that align with your values, even when it’s not the easiest choice.

Start by reflecting on what’s important to you

Moments of happiness

Reflect on the moments that brought genuine joy to your life and consider what core values were at play during those times. Were you surrounded by loved ones, engaging in meaningful activities, or achieving personal milestones? These instances can reveal what you truly value.

Moments of pride

Think about the accomplishments that filled you with pride and satisfaction. What qualities or principles did you embody during these achievements, and how did they reflect your true self? Understanding these moments can help you identify the values that matter most to you.

Moments of fulfilment

Recall the times when you felt a deep sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Did these moments involve helping others, personal growth, or achieving a long-term goal? The sense of fulfilment often comes from living in alignment with your core values.

Moments of self

Think about the moments when you felt completely free to be yourself. Were these moments characterized by authenticity, independence, or creativity? Feeling liberated and like your true self can reveal your core values and guide you in living a life true to yourself.

To quote my colleague, Akshata Mishra, when asked about how she realized what her values are:

“True values can only be realized with experience. You will have to reflect, retrospect, and introspect a lot. No book or person can make you realize your values like experience. They might help you a bit to point you in the right direction, but it won’t help you with recognizing your values outright.”

These reflections serve as valuable tools in discovering and understanding your core values, ultimately helping you find yourself and live a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Rank your values – Review the list and pick your top 5 values

Now that you have found out about your core values, list them down and sort them in order of priority. Start by putting the value that you cannot live without at the top, then continue in the same pattern. Once you have put them in order, pick out the top 3 values, and start by inculcating them in your life. One step at a time. If you try to inculcate all the values at once, you’ll be back to square one. Right where we started. Go slow, go steady. Remember, Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

Conclusion

Discovering your core values is a transformative journey that leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life. By reflecting on moments of joy, pride, fulfilment, and authenticity, you can identify the values that truly matter to you. In doing so you will amplify your personal branding process as well. Allowing you to be your authentic self, building lasting relationships, and attract new opportunities. Remember that this journey is ongoing. Taking it slow will allow your values to lead you towards a better life. It will help you grow personally and professionally. Embrace the process.