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Focusing On What Matters Most: Gathering Insights About Yourself

Yooniko

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Are you a star? You may have talent shining out from every pore

but you have just one weakness:You just CAN’T seem to talk about yourself competently and easily

And this is important if you want to have a personal brand that is clear, powerful and attractive to other people

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It’s hard not to freeze up when you are asked to focus on yourself

• You know it’s critical that you are able to talk about your strengths, accomplishments and goals

• Performance Review time• Networking events• Conferences

• So here are some tips to help you dig up insights about yourself

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First: THINK!

• Spend some time thinking about what you really want and need

• Use this time to craft your vision of where you’re coming from and where you’re going

• By deciding what your ‘end-game’ is, you can stay focused and avoid an inward spiral as you start your investigation work

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Next: Commit to the hunt

• Like any pursuit, interviewing yourself is not easy – you’ll be figuring out how to understand how you make an impression on other people

• So start the journey with a promise to put in the work to do it right (even if sometimes it may feel weird)

• Keep it real: unrealistic expectations on yourself to be some kind of genius can be a trap, and make you feel defeated

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Now review the evidence

• Check out how other people have spoken about you• Look for snippets and phrases that stand out as being particularly apt about you in

online forums where you’ve participated• Review past performance reviews• Look at letters and emails (what is this person’s perspective?)

• Research your strengths, and what activities make you feel powerful

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Interview likely allies

• Identify some people who know you well

• Have a good talk: gather information about how they view your talents and working style

• Choose carefully who to involve, because you’ll want them to talk about how you come across, and what they really appreciate from working or spending time with you

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Craft a story

• Brainstorm ways to tell a shortened ‘life story’ focusing on your purpose, your unique strengths, and what makes you perform at your best

• Its important to craft it uniquely, also it is equally important that you match it to your personality, background and style

The story of you and how you fit into the world

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Try it on and talk it out

• Run a trial by talking with your friends • Try to use quotes from your new ‘life story’• Get their reactions and adjust as necessary

• If all goes well, start using the insights to talk about yourself in different situations (job discussions, performance review check-ins, etc.)

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Lather, Rinse, Repeat

• Never assume that you don’t have to revisit your story from time to time

• Continue to test and trial to get the right phrases that impress people and get a good reaction

• Put a reminder on your calendar to go back and re-examine your story • In 2 months• On a semi-regular basis

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Keep in touch!

YOONIKO IS ONLINE