The First Branding Exercise I Tried—And What I Learned About Myself

There’s something humbling—and a little nerve-wracking—about setting out to “brand yourself” for the very first time. Even after years of soaking in advice and analyzing others’ stories, nothing compares to rolling up your sleeves and actually confronting your own beliefs, values, and quirks on paper (or screen). Today, I want to walk you through the very first branding exercise I ever committed to—and the surprising self-revelations that came with it.

The Exercise: Crafting My “Three-Word Brand”

For my inaugural dive into personal branding, I started simple but deep: the classic “Three-Word Brand.” The prompt was straightforward (but deceptively tricky):

“If someone could only use three words to describe you at your best—what would you want them to be?”

The twist was that these words had to be authentic, aspirational, but also grounded in feedback from friends, colleagues, or even my inner circle. This wasn’t about picking buzzwords; it was about distilling the essence of who I am and who I hope to become.

The Process:

• Brain Dump: I scribbled down every adjective I liked or had been called (good, bad, or neutral). Words like “curious,” “empathetic,” “driven,” “creative,” “stubborn,” “thoughtful,” and “open-minded” spilled onto the page.
• Gathering Input: I reached out to a handful of people I trust—people who’d seen me at my best and my worst. Their replies included words I’d never have chosen for myself: “resourceful,” “connector,” “resilient,” “thought-provoking.”
• Narrowing Down: After plenty of soul-searching and some “aha!” moments, I chose my three: Curious, Authentic, and Uplifting.

What I Learned About Myself

This exercise felt like emotional excavation. Here’s what surfaced:

1. We All Contain Multitudes

Boiling down my identity to three words was tough. I had to acknowledge that I am not “just” ambitious or “just” empathetic—different facets shine through in different contexts. The process forced me to consider which aspects really mattered to me, and to accept that my “brand” wasn’t about being everything to everyone.

2. Other People See Strengths You Miss

Hearing trusted friends describe me as “uplifting” or a “connector” made me realize I sometimes downplay the impact I have on others. Their perspective broadened my view of my own story; I began to value the ripple effect of my encouragement and ideas, even in low-key interactions.

3. Authenticity Isn’t About Perfection

Initially, I wanted my three words to sound impressive. But the most powerful words were simple—honest rather than flashy. Choosing “authentic” over “strategic,” for instance, was a reminder that people respond more to realness than to aspiration alone.

4. Aspirations Shape Actions

I realized that by naming “uplifting” as a core part of my brand, I wanted to act in accordance with that trait more often. When I started to lose my nerve or feel overwhelmed, it became a quiet check-in: “Am I encouraging others today? Am I leading with curiosity and honesty?” Just picking these three words inspired tangible changes in how I show up—online and off.

The Takeaway: Branding as Self-Discovery

I once thought branding exercises were all about outward presentation. But the reality is, they’re deeply introspective. This exercise didn’t create a “persona”—it clarified the person I already was, beneath the surface-level roles and expectations.

If you’re considering building your personal brand, here’s what I recommend:

• Start Small: Choose an exercise like this one. It’s manageable, insightful, and a judgment-free zone.
• Ask Others: You’ll be surprised what friends, peers, and supporters notice about you. Their input can spotlight strengths you overlook and blind spots you want to address.
• Let It Be Fluid: Your three words might change over time. That’s a sign of growth, not inconsistency.

Conclusion: The Power of Naming Your Signal

That first branding exercise was more than an assignment—it was a mirror. It gave me language to understand and amplify the parts of myself I value most. In the crowded world of digital voices and curated feeds, clarity about your core brand isn’t just helpful; it’s foundational.

So, what three words define your signal? Whatever they are, wear them honestly and watch as your story—online and offline—takes on new depth and direction.