You know how they say “be careful what you wish for – it might come true?” Sometimes that’s the case with personal branding and thought leadership. With more visibility comes more opportunities. More places to show up, shine, and share your wisdom and stories.

I don’t know about you, but I’m TIRED. That’s why it’s SO IMPORTANT to get strategic with what you say ‘yes’ to and infuse boundaries and guardrails into your personal branding strategy. Time is the only resource you can’t get back, even in the The Wizarding World. ⌛

[Descriptive Alt Text: AirPods and a Time-Turner – necessary equipment for work in 2021?]

Fellow Potterheads will remember Hermione’s Time-Turner. She used it to attend more classes in her third year than time allowed.

Remote work and virtual conferences gives us that same option to be in two or even three places at once. Last week I attended three conferences at the same time – including speaking on Dismantling Imposter Syndrome at one.

It sounds great right? But during each thing I wondered if I should be at the other thing.

Even Hermione gives back her Time-Turner at the end, choosing to give up Muggle Studies and Divination.

So how do you decide how to manage the opportunities that come from growing your strategic visibility?

Honestly, I’m still figuring it out. But I know it has to do with getting crystal clear on your vision and brand promise so every opportunity is seen through that lens.

“Does this bring my community closer to our shared “why” or not?”

AND, it means doing the hard internal work of dissolving self-limiting beliefs that make us think we have to do everything by ourselves.

If an opportunity doesn’t lead you closer to your vision for the future world you’re creating, maybe say no this time (and refer it to a member of your community that it would be a better fit for.)