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Getting Your Image and Identity In Sync

When your outside image is truly reflective of your identity, you're in an ideal state, one of authenticity, where you can be most effective in promoting and marketing yourself.

However, when your image and identity are out of sync, the result is either a misrepresentation of the truth or a lack of marketing of the real you.

So how do you get your image and identity in sync?

1. Clarify your vision of how you want to be perceived by others. (e.g. organized, knowledgeable, a "get it done" person)

2. Identify the characteristics, attributes, and actions that go along with your vision. You may have different focus lists for different groups or situations such as work and family though there should be many overlapping items. (e.g. kind, trustworthy, hard-working, dependable, punctual)

3. Objectively assess where you are in relation to your goal. What changes or adjustments need to be made to ensure that you are creating the correct and best perceptions about you and what you can offer? (e.g. dressing in a more tidy and professional manner, maintaining eye contact when shaking hands, participating more in group discussions, being on time regularly)

4. Consistently act, interact, communicate, and hold yourself to your list of personal standards. Post your list of attributes in a common place such as your computer screen or the bathroom mirror. Use your list to guide your decisions throughout the day. (e.g. decide to wake up earlier each day to ensure that you're always on time and can establish yourself as a punctual person)

Some common ways people get their image and identity out of sync:

• Not doing what they say
  
  
• Not saying what they do (we don't know what you know or what you can do unless you communicate it)
  
  
• Being inconsistent in their behavior or the way they present themselves
  
  
• Dressing sloppily or inconsistently with the way they wish to be perceived
  
  
• Using poorly produced materials (resumes, business cards, brochures, etc.) while claiming that they believe in high standards and top quality
  
  
• Not being all they promise in print
  
  
• Not establishing the habits that send the desired messages (e.g. actively participating in company meetings to show interest and demonstrate knowledge and capabilities)

So, where do YOU stand with your image and identity? Take this simple quiz.

Answer true or false to the following questions:

1. I like the way I present myself to the world.

2. Those who know me would describe me as a "what you see is what you get" kind of person (or company or organization).

3. I would describe myself as a "what you see is what you get" kind of person (or company or organization).

4. The way I dress and physically present myself to the outside world accurately reflects how I want to be perceived.

5. I generally behave the same all the time, regardless of whom I'm around.

6. The way people would describe the materials I use to represent myself (resume, business card, brochure, etc.) is the same way they would describe me personally.

7. Everything I say about myself is true.

8. It is easy for others to see what values and characteristics are important to me.

9. I am seldom surprised about what others say or think of me.

10. I always do what I say.

11. I feel like I live authentically, never having to hide who I really am.

If you answered true to 8 or more statements, congratulations! Your image and identity are likely in good sync and you're well positioned for effective marketing.

If you answered true to 5-7 statements, you're doing a good job but have a few areas to focus on. Identify them and make some adjustments in the way you're presenting yourself or in the way you're standing behind your marketing claims.

If you answered true to 4 or fewer statements, it's time to identify where there's a disconnect and what you can do to fix it. You're likely missing opportunities and struggling somewhere you don't have to be.

Regardless of your score, carefully consider how you can turn any statement answered false into a true. What adjustments do you need to make in the way you think, act, and communicate to make this area work positively for you?

Getting your image and identity in sync isn't always easy, but it's necessary if you want to communicate a correct and complete story about who you are, what you can do, and what you can offer others. When your image and identity are in sync, more doors will open for you. You'll build stronger relationships. And, you'll find that success comes all the more easily!

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