The Most Unlikely Guide for my Personal Brand

What Death taught me about life

Pictured with my dad (Papa) at my MBA graduation. He was a leader and mentor for many.

Death. It’s the surest thing about this life. But you still let it surprise you. You say death came knocking suddenly. Yet, really, you always know it’s on its way.

It was less than 10 months after the passing of my beloved grandma, which I recalled in my earlier blog. I was determined to overcome the fear of a life without her and the comfort zone of the work I once knew.

I was starting my own personal brand coaching business. I got ready on the morning of my first client meeting. A spectacular sunrise painted the city skies over our balcony. My partner said, “Today is going to be a great day for you. One you’ll always remember”. He was right about the second part. But, it wouldn’t be for the reasons I imagined.

Minutes after my first client meeting, my father had a heart attack. Death came knocking again, this time to take my Papa home.

So, for the second time in less than a year, I was back in the hospital for an immediate family member. Staring Death in the face once again. Just months earlier was the first time I’d ever faced Death at all. Now, it was starting to look so familiar.

But this time I was already immersed in the world of personal branding. So, through my Papa’s passing, Death only reiterated its powerful lessons for life:

1. Time is precious and action is your greatest ally

Time - it’s your most precious resource. Use it wisely to leave a legacy you’re proud of.

My personal brand coaching asks you to think about your ‘bucket list’. The things you want to do before you die. Because the greatest privilege of being in the land of the living, after all, is that you still have time for action.

Consider Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He recommends beginning with the end. Like many of the greatest business books, he asks you to picture your own funeral. Reflecting on what people will say about you and how you will be remembered. This creates a ticking clock for action. While also, helping you understand your definition of success, vision and core values.

Learn to value legacies with a sense of urgency that’s too often taken for granted.

2. Your life legacy is created through your daily actions

Papa was most remembered for his larger-than-life personality.  His beaming smile was his personal brand logo. And he would greet you with the most vivacious hello.  My mum, sister and I were consistently welcomed with “hello, my dear”.

Always appreciating others daily made him everyone’s favourite boss, co-worker, uncle or brother.

Remember, you attract the energy you create for your personal brand.

3. Your words matter

Every personal brand touchpoint is an opportunity. To spread your message, while encouraging others to live theirs.

Papa’s personal brand tone of voice was alive with an energy to match his personality. As my sister recalled in her eulogy, his voicemail wished you to “have a tremendous day.” I now sign off my weekly email this way in his honour. After all, why have a good day when it can be tremendous? The little things make a personal brand memorable.

Upon his death, I found comfort in the words he left behind - written and digitally. Like a text to me that read, “just try a smile”. Sent while he encouraged me through a personal challenge just months earlier.

Every day, your choice of words, in all forms, leaves your personal brand footprint on the world. Be intentional about how you use them.

4. Your greatest service to others is to make the most of yourself

Papa started his career on a path to Priesthood. But it evolved into him becoming a Charted Loss Adjuster and CEO in the insurance industry. The many messages we received upon his death called him a mentor. He was always striving to connect people and opportunities.

Papa was also the most well-rounded person I’ve ever known. He:

• travelled the world,

• spoke several languages,

• was an outstanding cook,

• played golf,

• was an avid reader,

• and played the guitar until his final days.

Through your personal brand, your skills, expertise and personal interests intersect. There is no work-life separation, only work-life integration.

5. You are the Creative Director of your life

Papa came from very humble roots in Malaysia. He was one of 11 children and his mother passed away suddenly when he was just eight. Yet, despite it all, he had resilience, never adopting a victim mentality.

You have a choice to feel defeated, or, to take creative control of your circumstances.

In the bestseller, The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari, Robin Sharma promotes a ‘death bed mentality’. But, not to be morbid at all. Because it’s actually about living. And showing up as the person you want to be. This is the core of what a personal brand is - how people remember you. Leave a legacy for your personal brand you can be proud of.

PS - Papa was also a master storyteller. Next week, I’ll share the science behind why storytelling is so powerful for your personal brand.