Summer Reads: You, Inc.: The Art of Selling Yourself

It's summer time!  Is there any better way to spend the summer than reading a book by the pool or on the beach? One can multitask - soak up some sun and some knowledge too. 

Photo by Anne Adrian

I am in the final pages of You, Inc.: The Art of Selling Yourself.  This book is like a bible on interpersonal relationships. In fact, it resembles the golden rule sliced and diced in about every way imaginable. It contains so many common sense truisms that, while you are reading it, you will probably think, "I know this!"  Then, you will find yourself wondering why you aren't actually taking the measures mentioned therein.  

The book's underlying premise is that "success and fulfillment come from developing all of you" and that your "brand is the truth about you, well told." That makes so much sense. Obviously if we go through a process of self discovery and develop our skills, talents and interests, we will be more fulfilled and increasingly successful, right?  But, how many of us take the time to do this?  Do we even know how to do it? Are we strangers to ourselves?

If we do not even know ourselves well, how can we adequately interact with others?  How can we tell the world who we are, what we do and how we can benefit them? That is really what it is all about, isn't it - benefiting others? People want to feel important.  They want to matter to you.  They want to know what you can do for them.  You, Inc... puts it this way: "People don't want to hear how good you are.  People want to hear how good they can be, and how you can help."  

If you want to learn more about personal branding, this book is a great first step. It provides a solid foundation for developing yourself and your relationships. 

Quotable:

You have a brand.  Make sure yours is honest.

Listening makes you captivating.

Honor each person's craving to feel important.

It's not just how you say thanks, but when and how well.