Lifting one light bag, we travel

I've been thinking about all that I want to do online, and feeling a bit overwhelmed. I've also started watching others, particularly those younger than myslef, those who grew up with the internet as part of their daily consciousness. Seeing how younger people move online is instructive, though unsettling. They move with greater speed and agility, and also seemingly little concern for how they position their words and impressions. I am much more deliberate, yet in that deliberation I have too much hesitation and too much uncertainty.

I'm noticing that I need to drop the weight of my own expectations, to put down that weight and travel lighter.

I am resetting my expectations. Its time to unpack my bags.

This reminds me of a poem I read many years ago.

"the photographs, saved so long,

now placed neatly in the trash,

casting off belongings, no longer of need,

lifting one light bag from the street,

and cutting our hair,

we travel"

(unknown)

Unpacking my personal brand

A personal brand is a perception about ourselves that we can generate or influence in order to be more effective. The opportunity to leverage a personal brand online is tremendous, and available to everyone.

I've had a successful career and interesting life, and I'm exploring new and exciting ideas everyday. I also have a talent for marketing. So why can't I figure out how to settle on my personal brand?

My desire to leverage my social network has perhaps been held back by my lack of focus on my goals. Since coming to BGI, the current phase of my life has been about exploring new directions and potential opportunities. While renewing and shifting my career focus, I've become less defined, not better defined.

So, what is the best phrase I could use to introduce myself? No matter where I start, I always feel I'm leaving something out.

For years, my professional brand was "Conservation Information Manager" or "Geographic Information Systems Manager for The Nature Conservancy". Over the past two years of broadening my career path through BGI, my LinkedIN title has evolved to "Information Systems and Management for Environmental Planning and Sustainability". At the same time, I've spent much of my time over the past year writing, learning, developing marketing plans, and strategizing business development. So, how do I introduce myself to others? The answer seems to change, depending on whom I am introducing myself to. For me, one-size does not fit all; I seem to have many selves to brand.

How do brand myself authentically as someone who is actively exploring new career paths, while at the same time introducing myself to prospective employers and partners as an experienced professional? I don't yet know.

I've settled on a google profile that suits me for the time being:

"passionate about conservation, writing, graphic communication, managing teams that excel, and really great guitar riffs"

Packing my bags to begin the journey

I start this online journey in SW4SX feeling ready to upgrade my interactions online. I feel I'm ready to begin shifting my experience on the web from being primarily an information consumer, and sometimes information creator, toward being a stronger collaborator and online citizen as well.

My online brand has been very limited up until now. Other than an active presence on LinkedIN, and active commenter on a few blogs, my online identity has been perhaps more of a lurker than an active personality. Over the past year, I have begun increasing my activity in freelance writing, but most of this writing has been offline. I've purchased a few domains with interest in promoting my personal brand, writing, and consulting, and yet I've been unclear on the best direction for my next efforts.

I'm looking forward to using this exploration to help me clarify how social media and online communities can help me better connect with others to explore my passions.