Positive Personal Impact

People with positive personal impact develop and nurture their personal brand. They are impeccable in their presentation of self. They know and follow the basic rules of etiquette. If you master these three keys, you'll be able to create positive personal impact.

Develop and Nurture Your Unique Personal Brand

Your personal brand differentiates you from everyone else in the world. My brand is "The Common Sense Guy." Because of my brand, people know that they can rely on me to provide them with common sense advice that will help them reach their career and life goals. They also know that they will get this advice in a straightforward, easy to understand and apply manner, because after all, I'm just a guy.

Spend time crafting your brand. Think of it this way; your brand is the two or three words you want people to most often associate with you. Decide what you want these words to be, and then go about making sure that all of the people with whom you come into contact think of you that way. This is important, because if you don't brand yourself, others will. It's better to be in control of your personal brand by creating it yourself, than it is to let others create it for you.

No matter what stage you are in your career, ask yourself a few simple questions. How do you want people to think of you? What words will you choose for people to describe you? Think about these questions. Take your time. Then do whatever it takes to make sure that other people think of you that way.

For example, if you decide that "hard working" is a term with which you would like others to associate with you, then work hard. Do your assignments well and on time. When you finish with one task, ask for another. Come early, stay late. Ask questions to help you understand the business. Pretty soon, people will begin thinking of you as a hard worker. Someone who does everything we ask, and then asks for more." Once this happens, you'll know that you're on your way to creating your own special and unique personal brand.

You're smart enough to figure out what to do to create the brand you want. The important thing is to choose your brand and then brand yourself.

Dress to Impress

Your appearance says a lot about you. My best advice on to how your attire can help you create positive personal impact is simple and common sense. Dress one level up. In other words, dress a little nicer than you have to. For example, if your office is casual, wear a dress or a suit every once in a while.

Make sure your clothes and shoes are clean and in good repair. Keep your hair clean and well styled. Make sure your shoes are shined. Keep your accessories understated and elegant.

Look in the mirror on your way out the door. Ask yourself, "Will I impress other people with the way I look today?" If the answer is "no", take a few minutes and change before you go to work.

I always get dressed up when I am meeting clients. Many of my clients dress casually. When they tell me, "You didn't need to wear a suit today," I say, "Yes I did. I'm meeting with an important person -- you." Show respect for yourself and the people around you by dressing well and looking good.

Be a Lady or Gentleman

Finally, all that stuff your Mom told you about being polite is true. You can never go wrong by acting like a lady or gentleman. I try to act as a gentleman at all times.
Handwritten thank you notes are a great way to distinguish yourself as a lady or gentleman. Here are three tips for writing great thank you notes.

1) Write legibly.
2) Identify the gift you received - be specific. Your note will be more personal this way.
3) Mention how you plan on using the gift. You can create all sorts of positive personal impact with thank you notes. If you haven't yet written thank you notes for the graduation gifts you've received, write them tonight.

As with most things, there is one rule of etiquette that I always follow: I always try to help the people around me feel comfortable. For example, when you are dining with others, you may know that your water glass is on the right and that your bread and butter plate is on the left, but others may not. So if someone uses your bread plate, don't say "Hey, that's mine - yours is over there." Just place your roll on your dinner plate. Being right is no excuse for embarrassing someone.