Imagine a field of red poppy’s and in the middle there is one purple poppy. How quickly did that purple poppy get your attention?

If we believe people are constantly evolving then, as we age, we are learning more and more to trust our instincts. In less than four seconds others make a decision about us, and if we are to make a favourable, lasting and memorable impression as a personal brand in those first four seconds.

We need to learn to become a Powerful Purple Poppy.

Purple Poppies are the people we remember, who leave a long and lasting impression. They are spheres of influence, who seem to know everyone, are powerful and very confident, a source of knowledge and inspiration, are generous with their time and share their networks. They are the people we admire and with whom we want to do business.

They always seem to be everywhere, you always seem to read about them or hear about them in the press, their names always seem to be bandied around, everybody seems to know them, and if they don’t, they want to. They seem to succeed effortlessly, always sought after by the media and blessed with an immaculate dress sense. Everybody wants a piece of the Purple Poppies. They seem to have endless energy, are excited about who they are, what they do and always seem to make us feel special, wanted and appreciated and we trust them.

If you don’t brand yourself, who will?

First impressions may not be fair, but first impressions matter because humans are incapable of not judging. We have less than four seconds in which to make a first impression. Four seconds!!!

People will look, take us in, absorb, dissect, analyse, judge and consider whether or not we are worthy. Four seconds to do all of that, to let their “gut” tell them this person is trustworthy, intelligent, interesting, worthwhile, boring, a maverick (out there), conservative, competent, creative, dynamic, friendly, professional, approachable and on and on.

Within that blink of an eye, we are defined. But who is branding whom?

Personal branding is all about perception, your perception of others and their perception of you. Personal branding is something you can control and project, it’s there when you walk into a room and is instantly recognised.