A couple times per year, my parents send my brothers and I each a fresh box of photos from our youth.
As you can imagine, my kids get quite a kick out of seeing the way I dressed in high school.
And my hair. Oh God, my hair!
But I bet I’m not alone in looking back with a mix of laughter and embarrassment.
But I know me, and I know that I’ve grown into a more stylish (maybe), mature (questionable), intelligent (indubitably) adult (debatable).
But here’s the problem
When I see my high school friends posting thought leadership pieces, personal growth advice, and other professional-seeming, otherwise intelligent bits online, I can’t help but think of them in high school.
You know, the ones who were so high that, on flat ground, thought they were walking up stairs.
Or the ones who jumped out of their moving pickup truck to pole vault onto trees.
Or that guy who snuck past the “Do Not Climb” signs and then fell off a waterfa… oh, wait, NVM. That was me.
The point is, no matter how successful and smart and professional these folks seem now, I have a hard time seeing past their idiotic* high school selves.
And I’m sure they see me the same way.
*seriously, we were all idiots in our teens, right? No? Just me? OK, carry on…
Remember that while you build your brand
It’s easy to get excited about a new brand, new initiative, or new launch.
Maybe you just want to GO FOR IT and start spreading the word!
The smart thing to do is look at how it all connects to your larger brand message, identity and persona.
Does it reinforce those things? Or contradict them? Or just seem random and out of character?
Is it the kind of thing you want your brand remembered for?