I’ve always believed that defining moments should be filled with joyfulness and new opportunities. However, on March 4^th, my defining moment took a turn in the wrong direction as COVID-19 completely altered how my business would operate.  Every workshop and every speech on my robust calendar were either cancelled or postponed until 2021. After 25 years in my own business, I was unprepared.

This turning point was filled with stress or fear for my present and my future. It required critical self-reflection on how I could continue to make a bigger difference to my customers.  Fast forward, I have now transformed my training and executive coaching to a virtual platform. As my calendar begins to grow, I am deeply grateful for past and new clients who believe in my value.

I’m sure you have your own story to tell. The purpose of sharing mine is not to be the hero in my story but rather to provide strategies for your future success in these unprecedented times.  My hope is that this blog will position you to take charge for reinventing your brand so that you can continue to make a significant difference.

Tip One:  Give Up Control

Being in control of my own decisions has always been foremost in my mind. At the onset of the epidemic, I naively believed that my life would go back to the past, but that never happened.  My daily struggle was to stop trying to control things outside of my sphere of influence, which became exhausting. I’ve since learned that the best remedy is to refocus in these unchartered waters.  I am choosing not to waste my energy or get discouraged about things I can’t control. Instead, I am selectively focusing on what I can do to make a difference to my customers.

• What have you learned about yourself during this time?
• What self-talk have you chosen to embrace these circumstances?
• Where are you taking responsibility for the things you can control and letting go of the things you cannot?

Tip Two: Choose Happiness

Initially, I found it easy to blame negative emotions on external circumstances resulting from Covid19. The days were getting longer, and I began to feel the heavy weight of gloom impacting on my personality. I read that if you expect happiness to come from others, you will be less inclined to pursue it yourself. Taking responsibility for our state of mind must become a habit – and a choice. Happiness is contagious and at this critical juncture where we’re all being challenged, it will attract others to follow. We naturally create chemistry with customers and appear on the radar screen for career opportunities.  Does it mean you have to be happy 24/7?  Of course not!  Everyone is adjusting, but taking responsibility for how you see the world will build your personal power. Remember that happiness is an inside job, not an entitlement!

• How are you taking personal responsibility for how you show up?
• What habits are you choosing to bring you greater happiness?
• How are you helping others to feel uplifted and supported?

Tip Three:  Reinvent Your Brand  

Although I teach personal branding, suddenly the shoe was now on the other foot – mine!  I needed to assess my value, my brand and the difference I could make to others.  Next, I realized that my marketing had to reflect my new virtual training.  With the expertise of Lisa Larter and her team, my website is relaunched to reflect the shift to my virtual workshops.

Getting ready for what happens next doesn’t mean you have to know exactly where you are going but you will need to be strategic. You need to have a plan. These are ideal times for you to showcase your uniqueness. It’s not about changing your authentic self, but rather taking advantage of opportunities to differentiate yourself. Create a new elevator pitch to show how you can carve a new path forward for your employer. Fine-tune your virtual “on-camera” and social media presence and people skills to create a consistent and memorable experience with all those you come into contact with.

• What can you be doing to rebrand your narrative?
• What can you be doing to build sponsorship for career opportunities?
• What skills are necessary for your new path and how will you learn them?

Reinventing your personal brand is no longer optional and may mean the difference between an unfulfilling job and a rewarding career. Look at the next normal with possibilities that the old normal did not offer.

To paraphrase General George Patton, “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”

By the way, I would love your feedback on my new website.