As soon as December hits, many of us tend to mentally turn off as we take time to relax, attend parties and dinners and simply curl up with a cozy blanket. We think back to the past 11 months and how hard we’ve worked and it only seems right that December becomes our month to shut off before restarting in the new year.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m all for taking time for breaks and self-care and to be completely honest, I plan to do just that. But the holidays are actually the perfect time for personal brand building! Think about it – with tons of invites to parties, dinners, events, etc., it provides you with tons of opportunity to network – probably more opportunities than you have throughout the rest of the year. Also as everyone is in a state of reflection and goal setting, it’s also a great time to start seeking out new opportunities, such as a new business.
Here’s a list of 7 things you can do over the holidays to boost your personal brand:
#1 – Send messages to friends and colleagues
The holidays are the perfect time to reconnect with people in your network you haven’t talked to in a long time. Whether it’s via email, Linkedin message or a hand-written card, your gesture will certainly be well-received. Just remember to be mindful of what you say – if you’re not sure if someone celebrates Christmas, wish them a happy holiday season.
#2 – Update your professional headshot
I personally like to update my photos at least once every 1-2 years to keep my profiles fresh and ensure that my photo is the best reflection of my current appearance. For example, did you make a big chop to your hair recently but your photo still has your old hairstyle? Ask a friend to take a new headshot for you or invest in a professional photographer, if your budget allows.
#3 – Be a socialite
With all the events that happen during the holidays, I’m sure you have tons of invitations you can accept. Take the opportunity to dress up and get out there so you can reconnect with old connections and network with new ones.
#4 – Create your vision board
I’m a huge advocate for creating a vision board because I have truly witnessed first-hand the power of visualizing your goals. There’s something about waking up to seeing your goals right in front of you that unconsciously motivates you throughout the year. Take time to review the past year – what you achieved and what you didn’t achieve and then think about what an ideal new year looks like for you. Write your new goals on paper and then get to work on constructing your vision board. Some people like cutting out pictures and words from magazines and some prefer to print out things from the internet. It’s completely up to you how your board looks!
#5 – Plan your year
You know what they say – those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Why wait till January 1 to put your plans together? Creating a vision is one thing but without a detailed plan, you will lessen your chances of achieving it. Break your long-term goals up into manageable, short-term goals that you can achieve each month and be sure to track your progress a long the way. Also take the time to add any important dates (birthdays, travel, etc.) into your calendar so you have them in mind as you plan out the rest of your year.
#6 – Consume interesting and educational content
I personally love stocking up on magazines and books around this time of year. Find some time to read a few good books, especially business and motivational ones, and you’ll find you’ll feel extra inspired going into the new year.
#7 – Take a break
Don’t stress yourself out about having to get everything done before the new year. Do what you can but make sure you don’t sacrifice sleep and self-care. You will not be the best version of yourself if you are sick and sleep-deprived.
What will you be doing to boost your personal brand over the holidays?
