I’ve always admired people who manage to reinvent themselves or their careers while remaining true to who they are.

Whether by circumstance or choice, many of us will at some point in life face the need to redefine our identity.

Maybe we’ve left or lost a job, or a long-term relationship has ended. Or we’ve decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue a whole new path. Whatever the catalyst, I think it’s important to just do you and be your own best version. If we get too caught up with what others think or constantly compare ourselves with where others are at, we lose sight of following our own bliss.

Abraham Lincoln once said ‘whatever you are, be a good one.’ I think that’s a great way to approach life.

When I was about eight years old I got my first job cleaning the ‘smoko’ room of my father’s engineering workshop. The job description basically called for me to do the dishes and wipe down the bench. I remember scrubbing and cleaning all the stained teacups and teaspoons, and all the dirty, dusty surfaces from floor to ceiling. I earned 50 cents an hour at the time. Cash!

The point is, it doesn’t matter how much you’re earning, how you’re earning it, or what you’re reinventing yourself as, you will almost definitely find greater personal success and satisfaction when you aim high and willingly go the extra mile.

A colleague recently asked me ‘what would you want to be known for?’ We’d been discussing personal value propositions and branding.

I said I’d ultimately like to be known for helping others manifest their ideas and dreams by sharing my expertise, teaching what I know, and supporting them to be their best version.

This may seem a stretch from my identity as a strategic marketing professional, but in fact it feels entirely natural to me to be headed in this direction.

I have always wanted to teach, I’ve always been passionate about communication and leadership, and I’ve always enjoyed helping and serving others.

Building an independent consultancy practice around what I’m known for is simply scene one, act one of my next play.  The rest will evolve over time.

In the meantime, whether I’m a consultant or a cleaner, you can be sure I’ll be doing my best to be a great one.

EnJOY.