“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” -Malcolm Forbes.

People around you can think no higher of you than what you think of yourself. In this world, there are many people, and none of us are the same. Some may be similar, but nobody has the same characteristics, talents, views, values or morals as another individual.

Have you ever seen a company or a product with the same name as another? We are the only person that can accurately make a brand for ourselves, and we are the only person that will have that particular brand. 

As we go through life, we try to think the right things, speak the right way and, sometimes, even be like our role models. In my opinion, you should never try to be someone or something that you are not. Be true to yourself, to those within and without your circle. We are all unique for a reason, and we should use that as an advantage when branding ourselves. 

You may be asking the question, “What is she talking about when she says brand yourself?” When I say branding, I mean just like a product or a company has a brand. A personal brand is your reputation. A lot of people prefer brand names over non-branded names. I prefer Coca-Cola over Pepsi; that is just my preference. Why? They are no different; they just have a more popular reputation than some of the other choices. At times, some are brands are better than others. 

All brands bring up some sort of emotion, whether it be bad or good emotions. What kind of emotion do you want your brand to bring to people? In order to have a good name and a good brand for yourself you have to be the best person you can be. That does not mean be someone that you are not. Just be polite, try to do the right things, be a good person, keep your word and always be good at what you do. Help people if they need help, but do it because you want to, not because you have to. When you are trying to be your best self, never do something for fortune or fame; it will come back to haunt you at some point in your life. Nobody likes a person that only does a good deed for praise. 

You know what you are good at; therefore, you need to show everyone else what you can do. If you know you have it, then show it; that is one way to make a good name for yourself in the work environment. Never make promises that you cannot keep; that is an easy way to make a bad name for yourself. Once you lose one person’s trust, you instantly lose many other peoples' as well. Your brand can be tarnished so fast and so easily. In everything you do, think to yourself, “Will this tarnish my name or will it make it stronger?” 

Everyone should care about their reputation. It not only affects you now, but it will affect you when you are trying to find a job or doing anything else important in your future. Once you make a bad name for yourself, it is very hard to gain back the good reputation you once had. If you have a good brand, you will be trusted by people you do not even know just because you have kept your word and done everything in your power to keep a good brand for yourself. 

Be careful when branding yourself. It is impossible to start fresh.