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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Rebuilding My Personal Brand for Sustainable Success
Would you rather learn from someone who succeeded on their first try or someone who learned from failing 27 times? I’m part of the latter group. Irrelevant, insignificant, and voiceless—with only 2,000 followers on my best-performing social platform despite being ahead of the influencer game.
Here’s the story of my failures, what I learned, and how I plan to get back on track. For the record, I’m not trying to be another dancing influencer. I just want to be heard and have the power to help improve lives with my personal brand.
Early Success
When Facebook was just taking off, I had around 2,000 friends while most people hovered around 300. I guess you could say I was ahead of the game. Back then, 2,000 followers was a loud enough voice, especially for someone who had just graduated from college and was starting their career.
Networking Through Friendships
I built real relationships and genuine friendships. I was very active in the local music scene. My dad, a pioneer in the industry, influenced my love for music. Naturally, I started to meet people who knew people and became well-connected. These offline relationships were nurtured online, without any intention of growing my following.
Sharing Genuine Interests
As my network expanded, I talked about my music discoveries. Given my circle, I started to gain some voice among music fans, recommending new singles, artists, and albums.
Passion-Driven Side Hustle
Music fans and new artists started listening to me. I began managing bands as a side hustle, balancing it with my day job as a designer for a record label. I loved every moment of it.
The Burnout
My schedule was grueling: 9 to 6 at the day job, 7 pm dinner, 9 pm gigs, cycling bands, and eventually a daily TV gig with a 4 am call time. This went on for about a year until I burned out. I started neglecting my need for rest. I felt joyless, disconnected, and like I was on autopilot. Despite feeling this way, I kept going because that’s what success takes, they say.
Hitting Rock Bottom
My condition worsened daily until I found myself drinking to sleep every night. I was late for work every day, cried in the shower, and stopped showing up at gigs. It hit me—I was depressed and exhausted. I withdrew from every activity I had. I only had energy for the bare minimum—eat, work, sleep, repeat. This went on for years as social media platforms grew and influencers started breaking the internet. I could have been one of them, but here I am—stagnant, left with a smaller 2,000-follower voice in 2024, no friends, unfulfilled, and unfit. In 2017, I decided to take action. My then-boyfriend dragged me to see a psychologist to help me get my life back on track. I went to therapy, started working out, painting, and focusing on myself. I put myself first until things started to look better. However, due to years of social isolation, I developed social awkwardness, which to this day I still struggle with.
Rebuilding
In 2022, I reached a career peak when I was promoted to upper management at an advertising agency. But I was working at least 14 hours a day. Then a remote work offer came from another marketing agency in the UK. I excitedly took it to save time on commutes and reduce the stress of constant social interactions, as I’m an introvert and sometimes suffer from panic attacks even during casual conversations with people I’ve known for years. However, I didn’t realize it was a sinking ship. Six months in, I knew I had to decide on my next steps. I was one of the higher-salaried people in the company, and if they decided to cut expenses, I’d be one of the first to go regardless of performance. That’s when I decided to finally do things on my own. I knew I was diligent, worked really hard, and was always learning and improving. I knew I had enough knowledge and experience to bring value to clients and start my own agency. Enter the birth of UpBrand—a brand and marketing consulting agency.
Importance of Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
Personal branding goes beyond having a presence; it’s about defining who you are and what you stand for. For entrepreneurs, a strong personal brand can differentiate you in a crowded market, establish credibility, and build trust with your audience. It reflects your values, mission, and the unique qualities that make you stand out. After years of fluctuating success and setbacks, I realized that rebuilding my personal brand is essential. It’s not just about professional achievements but also about sharing my journey, being authentic, and connecting with my audience on a deeper level. This is why I decided to pick up and rebuild now that I have my agency. My personal brand will be the foundation upon which I build UpBrand and its reputation.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans
Building a Balanced Personal Brand
One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of balance. Overcommitting to work without considering personal well-being leads to burnout. Aim to rebuild your personal brand by maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This involves setting realistic goals and boundaries, ensuring that you allocate time for rest, hobbies, and personal relationships.
Avoiding Hustle Culture
Hustle culture glorifies overworking at the expense of mental and physical health. Aim to rebuild your personal brand by maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Set realistic goals and boundaries, and ensure that you allocate time for rest, hobbies, and personal relationships.
Remember Why You’re in It
Many people turn to personal brand building for vanity. Since you’ve read more than halfway through this blog, I assume that you have a deeper, bigger ‘why’ to build a personal brand for yourself. Remind yourself of that and don’t be consumed by the system—the likes, the fans, the money. Don’t do it for your ego; do it for something of value whether that be for you or for other people. Doing it for your ego will put unnecessary pressure on you to compete with other people in your niche, and project this perfect idea of you. Keeping that perfect image and competing with everyone around you will only wear you out.
Social Media Engagement
Be active on social media, but make sure that you’re still aware and present in every moment. Don’t be that person absorbed by social platforms that you’re missing out on life and real relationships. You can do both at the same time through genuine interactions instead of commenting for the sake of engagement like a noisy empty can.
Pacing
Growth is not a race. Focus on long-term goals rather than quick wins. This involves setting achievable milestones, celebrating small victories, and understanding that progress is a gradual process. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed. Don’t look at the others around you; look within you and compete with the person you see in the mirror, not the person beside you.
Authenticity
Share content that reflects your true interests and values. Don’t buy into peer pressure and be too agreeable. Express your true opinions, even if they differ from the majority, and explain why with respect for others' viewpoints. This helps you stay true to yourself while also expanding other people’s perspectives. Embrace imperfections and be transparent about challenges. Don’t pretend to be perfect; instead, share your journey, including the ups and downs. This transparency will help build trust and connect with people who appreciate the real you.
Sustainable Hustle
Balancing productivity with self-care is crucial to avoid burnout. Integrate self-care practices into your daily routine, such as time management strategies, setting boundaries, and taking regular breaks. This way, you can sustain your efforts over the long term without compromising your well-being. By implementing these strategies, you can play the long game without running out of breath and avoid the pitfalls of hustle culture.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey, I realize that balance, authenticity, and sustainability are crucial to a successful and fulfilling career. Embracing failures as learning opportunities and maintaining a genuine connection with your audience can set a strong foundation for long-term success. In the race to build your brand and business, are you sacrificing the very essence of what makes you unique? Remember, your personal well-being is the cornerstone of your professional success.
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