One of the more interesting habits that I have is spending at least 15 minutes each morning reading articles. As a look for ways to be 1% better every day, spending 15 minutes reading something pertinent to Life Design Catalyst work is valuable not only to gain additional knowledge, but to possibly find something that I can turn into a self-reflective tool.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning, I read seven articles after my workout; I’m sharing one of the most interesting articles, one that’s not only an activity to help in personal branding, but as a way to get to know myself better. Here’s a link to the article:
- 23 Questions To Ask Yourself To Discover Your Personal Brand For 2023 – https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2022/12/20/23-questions-to-ask-yourself-to-discover-your-personal-brand-for-2023/?sh=53341d27503a
You’ll find the 23 questions listed below, as well as my answers to most of the questions below. If you’re looking for a journaling activity to reflect on your 2022 and prepare for 2023, here’s an opportunity to answer a few questions to get you in the right frame. And if you’re really bold, share your answers with a friend/colleague (or with the world); it could lead to an interesting discussion.
Here are the questions (with my answers):
- What do you do better than anyone else? I can take information from various sources (books, videos, articles, etc.) and turn them into self-reflective tools that people can use to dig deeper into their soul.
- What would you do if you knew you could not fail? I would present Life Design Catalyst workshops and trainings to EVERY educators and community organizations across the country.
- What’s your secret sauce? I’m transparent – what you see is what you get.
- In what situations are you most naturally yourself? At gatherings with fellow Life Design Catalysts.
- What are your operating principles or non-negotiables? (1) That I engage in some type of movement activity every day. (2) That I do something that has the potential to make me 1% better every day.
- What quality in other people annoys you most? Self-serving takers – people who are only focused on satisfying their needs, and have no interest in serving others.
- What do people come to you for? To get help answering the questions, “What should I do with my life?” “What now?” and “What’s next?”
- What brings you joy? Being engaged in fitness/exercise/sporting activities.
- If you were to receive an award, what would it be for? For providing resources and tools to make life better for others.
- What’s the weirdest or quirkiest thing about you? That I’ve tracked EVERY workout I’ve done every day since January 2, 2000. In other words, I’ve tracked every workout I’ve done every day for 23 years!
- What would not be like it is if you had not been a part of it? I wouldn’t have two amazing daughters that inspire me every day!
- What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? (1) Reading, and (2) Playing some type of sport.
- What’s the most important thing you learned from your parents and how does it help you professionally? I believe that I got my work ethic/discipline from my parents, because they worked HARD! That work ethic/discipline has helped me attain a modest level of success in my field.
- Is your public persona different from the real you? If so, how? As I mentioned in #3, I’m transparent. What you see is what you get 24/7.
- What are you most proud of? That I’ve helped so many people lead lives that matter to them.
- What do you need to do differently to use your time more effectively? In every situation, ask myself: “Is what I’m about to do growing myself, my relationships, and/or profoundly serving others?
- What makes you feel most confident? Sharing Life Design Catalyst work with people who care.
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Not be so stubborn. And eat more vegetables.
- What do you like best about yourself? That I am disciplined, honest, and trustworthy.
- What separates you from others who do what you do? That I’m always digging deeper to find ways to make myself better and to help others be better.
- What are the top 5 items on your bucket list? I don’t keep a bucket list any more…felt too much like a to-do list. Now, I have just three goals set for the year, which allows me to say “No” to lots of stuff.
- If you had to focus the rest of your life on one thing, what would it be? Continue to do things that makes me 1% better everyday so that I can profoundly serve others the way they want to be served.
- What is unique about the way you do what you do (the way you achieve results or deliver value)? My friends and fellow LDC Community members would say that I’m generous to a fault. If I had it my way, I would give everything that I’ve created over 30+ years to the world for free!
If anyone would like to share their answers with me, let’s have a chat – or send them my way at whjohnso@uncg.edu.
The Dream Dean 